Nicola, Author at Nicola Ann Art

Oct 20

by Nicola in Art, Beach 0 comments tags: Beach Bums, BeanOn Photography, derelict, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, North Coast, South Africa, Westwood Beach

Slow death of a derelict

A slow death of a derelict, next to Beach Bums, Westbrook Beach, north cost, KwaZulu-Natal: Around 1940, the owners, a wealthy Indian couple, departed South Africa to return to India. The couple left the house to their children who’d never set foot on the property, and the place died a slow death – pieces removed bit by bit by the squatters, whom to this day, still inhabit the hills across the road. The property is now in the process of being reclaimed as part of the beach; however, legalities prevail.

Oct 03

Lions Valley Lodge

Lions Valley Lodge, http://www.lionsvalley.co.za/, a stunning five-star experience enveloped in virgin bushveld of 21,000 acres within the Nambiti Conservancy, Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal. The lodge is built true African chic with an infinity pool and decking and main boma-style restaurant that all overlook the spectacular view across the valley, where herds of impala and zebra quench their thirsts. Immersed in history, there are two memorial sites on the reserve commemorating the Boer and English troops that did not make it through the Battle of Elandslaagte, 21st October 1899. The one and only thing I disliked about the luxury experience was thinking about the lioness mating with her offspring after photographing the pair close up, as close as possible… Of course there was no end to snapping away with my camera, almost like a video, and feeling in awe of being so close to lions in the “semi” wild…

Sep 09

by Nicola in People, Photo shoot 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Ctrlroom, Inanda, KwaZulu-Natal, Lacoste Soccer Team, photo shoot, Rural, soccer, South Africa, team

Rural shoot

Once upon a time in Inanda, a curious puppy decided it was brave enough and took on a chicken. The chicken won. The pup lost its eye. A man found the pup, and rescued it from the chicken. The dog has never left the man’s side since. A friend of the owner said, ‘This dog is big problem. It follows the man everywhere. Whenever you see the dog you know you will find the man. Dog make him get caught cheating – wife loves dog!’ We all roared with laughter. I did a rural shoot in the poorest place I’ve ever stepped foot in. Ctrlroom, the company I work for, sponsors a soccer team known as Lacoste. No one could explain how the name was selected; however, they are happy to change it sometime in the near future. We brought them new gear and balls and training rings, which evidently, their joy palpable, delighted the team. Their opposition did not appear in similar spirits and almost caused a riot. I am happy I made it out alive, and it was agreed that things would need to settle with the public, the avid supporters, before we do another shoot. No argument […]

Aug 21

by Nicola in Art 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Close-up Photography, Experimental, KwaZulu-Natal, Lemons, Macro Photography, South Africa, Strawberries

Macro Photography

The urge to experiment with marco photography engulfed me; however, when I realised I’d given a macro Tamron lens away with my old camera I tried to bury the urge. The trying bit didn’t last too long when I decided to find out how close I could get with a 18-108mm lens. Well, I raided the contents of my fridge and came across the perfect object to experiment with; something I’d done before, but sadly lost all the photos when I damaged (dropped from a coffee table onto a tiled floor) my external hard drive. As you can see, macro photography should only be done with a macro lens, even close up photography needs to be done with the correct lens. And, there is nothing more perfect than the knobbliest lemon growing in one’s backyard…

Aug 11

by Nicola in Art, Nature 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Blueberry Hill, Early morning, Exploring, KwaZulu-Natal, Piggly Wiggly Country Centre, South Africa, The Midlands Meander, The Waffle Inn

The Midlands Meander

The Midlands Meander brought happiness to us all while browsing at Blueberry Hill’s shop selling homemade treasures; a satisfying brunch at The Waffle Inn; a gem discovery at Piggly Wiggly Country Village where I could have bought everything displayed within Fancy That – what an apt name – fancying almost everything for my new apartment! And of course afters bought at the Belgium Chocolate shop – the best chili stix in milk chocolate that explodes in the mouth, leaving your senses tingling for minutes after the creaminess dissolves. Oh and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect…

Jul 20

by Nicola in Beach, Nature 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Exploring, Indian Ocean, KwaZulu-Natal, nature, Scottburgh, South Africa, South Coast, Wild Beach

Wild winds

After a leisurely breakfast at Scottburgh, we strolled along the beach where the wild winds brought in vicious waves that had reached up to 9 meters only moments earlier. About 4 brave surfers did their best just trying to stay alive out there… Allow yourself to be touched by nature; the power of nature will teach you more than any book you could ever read.

Jun 19

Sacrilege, but I don’t care!

Just over 4 years ago a dear friend bought me my first DSLR camera for a birthday. Talk about being bowled over by the receipt of an unexpected gift. Of course he’d chosen the brand he’d always used, the camera I’d always wanted that came with a 18 – 55 mm lens. Later the same friend spoiled me with a telephoto 28 – 300mm and then a stunning macro. Anyway, I loved this camera despite feeling it never lived up to what I’d researched its potential to be. I thought that perhaps I needed to practice more, learn the camera to its depths and that’s what I did for the next 4 or so years, but still the quality of my picture taking didn’t live up to my expectations. I wanted to buy a new camera; however, since getting the property ladder rolling I thought I’d better disperse the desire, the desire as violent as a hurricane ripping up buildings, as far away from my heart as possible. Whilst doing my best, my camera stopped working; the shutter did not release yet everything else appeared to be working fine or rather displaying correctly on the screen. […]

Apr 25

by Nicola in Art 0 comments tags: Ansel Adams, BeanOn Photography, Focus, photo, Photography Quote

Focus with photographs

“When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence.” ― Ansel Adams

Mar 15

by Nicola in Uncategorized 0 comments tags: BeanOn Photography, Camera, DSLR, For Sale, Gum Tree

DSLR for sale

The other evening I put my old DSLR on Gumtree to sell. The following morning I received a phone call asking if he could buy it from me as soon as possible. I agreed. Next thing my phone went wild with text messages and phone calls with people wanting to know more about my camera. I received the following WhatsApp message – the same person had tried to call me two seconds earlier, but I was in a meeting and couldn’t take the call – and found it bizarrely humorous. (Please note: I have not amended Unknown’s grammar deliberately.) Unknown number: Howsit, is your camera still available? Nicola: Hi, I have a potential buyer looking at it tomorrow. Unknown number: Oh ok….what’s wrong with the lens? Nicola: Fungus. Unknown number: Can you send a pic? Also how bad are they? Nicola: I will send pics tomorrow, depending on sale – otherwise, I’m giving them away to buyer. They are rather bad… Unknown number: Ok cool, well let me know. I would be interested in swapping. Nicola: Swapping what? I have upgraded my camera and that is why I am […]