Page 11 - Cape-Camera-January-February-2021

Cape Camera January/February 2021

January 2021 Outing

Photographs (left) Lesley Parolis, (centre) Cathy Bruce Wright (right) Richard Goldschmidt

Castle of Good Hope – In search of shadows

Our first Outing of the year took place on Saturday morning, the 23rd of January 2021 and was again organ-
ised by Richard Goldschmidt. “It was attended by Mike de Villiers, Robert Maginley, Anna Engelhardt, Lesley
Parolis, Lambe Parolis, Nicol du Toit, Cathy Bruce Wright and one of our latest new members, Julian Hulme.
The creative morning was rounded off with some refreshments at the Castle tea room which provided a rare
opportunity for us to socialize and discuss our shots.

“While trying to get an idea for our Outing - keeping in mind the and an interesting subject matter with an opportunity to con-
next set subject, which was ‘Shadows’, I remembered a success- nect and learn. I did my best with shadows but was not quite
ful recce to the Castle for a previous subject involving doors and successful. Directional light for photographing interesting
walkways. Being there in the afternoon, I already made a men- shadow patterns and textures had all but gone by the time the
tal note that the best time would be an early morning shoot to Castle opened at 9am and by the time I arrived 30 minutes late.
get the best out of the shadows along the colonnade and other “The strong yellow colour of the exterior walls was also not an
walkways and staircases,” explained Richard. advantage in teasing out textures in post processing, but it in-
spired me to try a sepia effect. Apparently, the walls of the Cas-
tle were painted this distinctive colour already centuries ago to
offset the blinding reflection of the sun on its vast interior walls.
For shadows and textures, I’ll definitely return in winter when
sunrise is later and available light more even and directional
during early morning.
“For all the other amazing features such as the museums, dun-
geons, the views from the bastions, the hidden walkways and
staircases, the gardens and activities – I will return again and
spend the whole day there. The story of the Castle of Good
Hope is built into its walls, from 1666 when the building was
started by the VOC to become a seat of government and mili-
tary while it settled into the Cape and beyond. The history of
the people of the Cape still lives here, where the military mix
with civilians and commerce. No need for ghost stories, they
walked with me all the way,” concluded Cathy.

Photo by Cathy Bruce Wright of Mike de Villiers
in typical Covid attire

Cathy Bruce Wright felt that the Castle of Good Hope was an
inspirational subject for a photo shoot. “I very much enjoyed
meeting my fellow photographers again after such a long time,
exploring as we wandered the byways of the Castle together,”
comments Cathy. “I thought the excursion was well worth it, not
only because the entrance fee was only R25 for pensioners (R50
if you are not), but also because it was an authentic experience
Triptych by Lesley Parolis
Cape Town Photographic Society 10