TOGS TRIP TO FOURIESBURG

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Weekend Outing to Fouriesburg and Surrounds by Dee Smith

Friday morning 6th May saw us headed out just after 06.00 – Oops disaster! A bag was forgotten at home, quick call and a rescue mission was mounted to retrieve said bag. The bag in question was vital and could not be done without. 2 Vehicles fully packed with people luggage and camera equipment…

We stopped for breakfast at Villiers and then proceeded swiftly down the N3 turning off at Warden, where we stopped to photograph the beautiful Sandstone NG Church. We were allowed into the church to take photos and a few intrepid people climbed to the top of the bell tower as well. From there we travelled on to Bethlehem and then Clarens before proceeding to Fouriesburg and the house we were to stay in for the weekend. The scenery on the way is truly spectacular, the roads, not so much…

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” – Ted Grant

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We arrived at the farm where the house we were staying is located at about 15.00. After a brief encounter with the resident Puff adder on the way into the property, it took exception to the Toyota, we unpacked and settled in. Loadshedding in progress when we arrived. The views from the veranda are great and the guys wasted no time in unpacking cameras and getting down to the business of why were there…

Some scouting of locations was done as well and then the braai fire was lit and the evening got off to a good start. The braai master for the weekend was Barry. Very well qualified in my humble opinion. To say that we ate well the whole weekend is an understatement! As night drew in David was charged with making the fire in the lounge, the whole house was warm from those fires. After dinner we sat around chatting before retiring for the night.

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” – Ted Grant

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Early morning Saturday, around 04.00 the kettle was on, and coffee and tea was made for everyone, cameras and tripods packed we left just after 06.00 to catch the sunrise. I haven’t been so cold in a long time… When the sun came up it seemed to get colder. But we were there to take photos and that’s what we did! Once the “Special” light was gone we proceeded to Fouriesburg for breakfast at the Plaasstoep Restaurant, a great breakfast and much laughter later we then proceeded to Destiny Castle. A Sandstone castle built on the Top of a mountain… To say the trek there was eventful is putting it mildly. There has been so much rain in the area over the past few months and weeks that the “roads” leave much to be desired…

It truly was an epic adventure, one not soon to be forgotten. Kerry has a lovely Land rover that really can go anywhere, as we found out. We had a change of drivers as we were about to tackle the mountain road to the castle, Hannes drove the Landy, and Kerry opted to go in David’s Toyota. I can honestly say that I have never driven with someone as calm as Hannes. I would not have tackled that road! He made it look ridiculously easy. We arrived at the castle to be met by Jonathan Crawford the Chef and manager of the Castle. He gave us a tour and told us the history of the establishment. The views from up on that mountain were breathtaking. Then it was time to go back down… We made it down the mountain man that was nerve wracking… Then David got stuck in the mud… Much laughter ensued as the Landy was put to use towing him out.

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” – Ted Grant

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There is video evidence of the whole operation thanks to Ruzaan. Quite an eventful Saturday… Back to the Farm and a recap of the day. Another great braai and then sleep, much needed after the busy day. Sunday saw us off to Clarens to shoot the Poplars… Spent the morning strolling around the Square. Had brunch and then went to take photos, took a drive to Golden Gate, then back to the farm. How quickly the weekend passes when you’re spending the time with like-minded people.

Overall, a great weekend getaway. The outings are organized for all the members of the Club, I really wish that more people would join them.

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” – Ted Grant

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MayClub Night Winning Images

Congratulations to our Club Night Winners on their stunning images Winning Images for May 2022 Cell Phone 1-3 star Winner - Dewald Nel - FACE The Ant 4-5 Star Winner - Barry L Clayton - A pair of Old Hands

1-3 Star Winner - Dewald Nel

FACE The Ant 4-5 Star Winner - Barry L Clayton A pair of Old Hands

Digital 1 Star Winner - Pieter Searle - Lucas the jumper 3 Star Winner - Joy Fourie Loberg - Always Alert 4 Star Winner - Ruzaan Blignaut - Dreaming 5 Star Winner - Johan Botha - No Emotion 5 Star Masters Winner - Vivienne Murray – Tsepho

1 Star Winner: Pieter Searle Lucas the jumper 3 Star Winner - Joy Fourie Loberg Always Alert

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” – Ted Grant

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4 Star Winner - Ruzaan Blignaut Dreaming 5 Star Winner - Johan Botha No Emotion

5 Star Masters Winner Vivienne Murray Tsepho

Set Subject 1-3 Star Winner - Zenia McQuirk - Smoking Cowboy 1-3 Star Runner Up - Joy Fourie Loberg - Dancer 4-5 Star Winner - Douglas Knight - Enchanted Forest 4-5 Star Runner Up - Marie Botha - Playing with Fire and Light

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” – Ted Grant

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1-3 Star Winner Zenia McQuirk Smoking Cowboy 3 Star Runner Up Joy Fourie Loberg Dancer

4-5 Star Winner - Douglas Knight - Enchanted Forest 4-5 Star Runner Up - Marie Botha Playing with Fire and Light

Well done to our Winners

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” – Ted Grant

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Promotions

Congratulations to the following Members who have been promoted:

RUZAAN BILGNAUT 4 TO 5 STAR

“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” – Ted Grant

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“When you photograph people in color, you photograph their clothes. But when you photograph people in Black and white, you photograph their souls!” – Ted Grant

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