Things to do in Johannesburg

If ever the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2010 is not enough (as if!) there are loads of activities to keep you and your family busy in Johannesburg. Gold Reef City is a theme park near the FNB Stadium ( Soccer City ) that has over 30 thrill rides, restaurants, shops, kiddies corner and even a farmyard to keep all ages entertained. Sun City and Pilanesberg National Park are only a few hours drive north of the city but it would be worth staying a few days and making this a mini break within a South African holiday. Johannesburg Zoo is a good day out to keep kiddies entertained.
Or, visit one of the casinos to try your luck or just take in the beautiful surroundings. Relax in the botanical gardens to get away from the hustle of the city or, if this does not appeal, there are plenty of bars, restaurants and clubs to party the night away. Spend an afternoon in Sandton, the financial and commercial district of South Africa, and home to over 300 leading retailers for ultimate shopping experience. fear of crime has made the gleaming towers of Sandton the business heart of Johannesburg and the old city centre is no longer desirable. yes if you look at statistics, Johannesburg is the violent crime capital of the world but it certainly has plenty to offer and it is up to the traveller to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Krugersdorp game reserve

40 minutes west of Johannesburg is Krugersdorp game reserve where you can see animals such as rhinos, giraffes and antelopes. The lions are kept in an enclosure to separate them from the other animals which would normally be prey in the wild. This provided excellent photographic opportunities without the need to track them as would be the case in the bigger reserves. For anyone visiting Johannesburg, perhaps to see the FIFA World Cup 2010, this reserve provides an ideal taster of being on safari if Kruger or Pilanesburg is too far to travel in the time available. There are lodges and camping sites in the game park for those who wish to extend their stay.

Bush fires are common in South Africa and unfortunately humans are often casualties.

This lone springbok was seen walking among the burnt grass after the flames were extinguished. This bush fire seemed to have transformed the area into an apocalyptic landscape which was amazing to experience.

Pretoria/Tshwane

From the top of the cable car station, Pretoria Zoo can be seen here against the backdrop of the sprawling city skyline. This city gave me the impression that it was more integrated and relaxed than Johannesburg and there is plenty for the discerning traveller to do and see. The National Zoological Gardens is home to Pretoria Zoo, the largest in South Africa and one of the best in the world. The zoo plays an important part in the conservation of endangered animals and is no longer just a home to rare species.
For nature lovers there are plenty of reserves such as Groenkloof, Zwartkop or Onderstepoort. For culture, visit the Transvaal Museum, Cultural History Museum or visit the Voortrekker Monument which is both a reminder of apartheid and a hommage to the Afrikaans pioneers. On Booth Street, south of Pretoria Zoo, is Paul Kruger House Museum which is the last house the ex president stayed before his exile to Europe.
The Union Buildings house the offices of the President of South Africa and it's considered to be the architects greatest achievement. The gardens have been planted with thousands of indigenous plants and is a “must see” when visiting Pretoria. The famous blue train starts it's journey here and Pretoria is also one of the venues of the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Newborn baby pictures

Following the baby pictures taken on 3rd June http://sylvainoliveira.blogspot.com/2009/06/baby-pictures.html, I had the opportunity to try newborn ones. What a disaster! Newborns are notoriously difficult to photograph and this one was no exception. I had to shoot between feeds, nappy changes and sleeps and she was finally captured on camera with her eyes open. Although this was good experience I am certainly no Anne Geddes. To take these pictures I used a Canon EOS1D Mark3 with a Canon Lens 85mm 1.2L Mark2.
The flash was Canon 580 Mark2 set in a Manfrotto lighting stand and taken through a transluscent white umbrella which was triggered by a Pocket Wizard. I used aperture of f7,1 set by my trusty flashmeter Minolta V to give more depth of field because the baby kept moving.

Advertising and marketing is not the only key to success

The current conditions are tough for any photographer. Advertising and marketing attracts new business but it is also important to retain the client base. Even weddings can have repeat business. Often, friends of the bride and groom get married around the same time and need a photographer and referrals can become secured business. Or, pregnancy provides the opportunity for maternity and child portraits. Unfortunately, not all photographers realise the importance of good service and fail to deliver prints on time or are not easily contactable. One even posts his daily life on Twitter
telling potential customers about a visit to a pizzaria or a football match but has no interest in clients beyond the secured sale. Good old fashioned service is just as important now than it ever was but changing values mean some photographers forget this.