Page 9 - Cape-Camera-October-2023

Cape Camera October 2023

Andre Mouton: ‘My seven years with Cape Camera’

What goes into producing an award-winning club newsletter like Cape Camera? Former
editor Andre Mouton provides some behind-the-scenes insight into the editorial process.

It’s been quite a journey since I took ing text sizes, image placements, etc.
over the layout and design of Cape Upon completing the design and
Camera in May 2016. I was fortunate layout I prepared the newsletter for
to have strong support from Anna publication on the club’s website.
Engelhardt, who was the editor. Fast The final step in the process is com-
forward, and it’s now seven years municating the newsletter release
since I assumed this role. The jour- to our members using the Snapshot
ney has been quite remarkable! mailer and posting it on Facebook.
(Andre concurrently filled many other Cape Camera magazine was hon-
roles on CTPS Council, see p5 — ed.) oured with the title of Best Magazine
What began as a new responsibility in the Western Cape in 2021. The
soon transformed into a captivating leadership of and collaboration with
experience that offered not only the Anna, who was the editor, played a
chance to put something visually key role in this achievement.
appealing together and create a In 2022 and 2023, after I succeeded
good reading experience, but also Anna as editor, Cape Camera was vital part in the magazine’s success.
gave me the opportunity to learn the runner-up in the PSSA National My life was made easier by having
about fellow members through their Magazine competition. Trudi du Toit as content gatherer and
stories and achievements. This recognition wasn’t about my curator over the last few months and
The process started every month personal achievement, but rather she will be taking over as editor.
with planning the layout structure for a collective team effort. Besides, I With the October issue, I’ve wrapped
with the editor. Once the content firmly believe that no external acco- up my responsibilities as the layout
became available the page creation lade is necessary when you genuine- artist and editor for Cape Camera. It
could be done. I use Adobe InDesign ly enjoy the work you do and some- marks the end of my chapter with
software for placing and formatting one finds value in what you do. the magazine, but they can press my
text, importing and editing images, Editing, proofreading, content gath- button if needs be.
creating graphical elements, and de- ering, members sharing content I want to extend my best wishes to
signing the overall look of pages. (profiles, travelogues, cover stories the new team. May they continue
After the initial layout was created, it etc), and the myriad other efforts to nurture and enhance the publica-
was reviewed for errors and consist- that contribute to the final product tion, taking it to new heights. Thank
ency by Anna and finally by proof- are all integral parts of a collective you all for responding to requests
reader Lesley Parolis. Any necessary endeavour. Each individual’s role, no for the cover image, submitting pic-
revisions were made, such as adjust- matter how seemingly small, plays a tures after each outing, etc.
Trudi du Toit - Cape Camera editor and Public Relations Officer.

After fifty years working as Until it was closed by Covid, Trudi’s day job was as editor
a journalist, it was probably and publisher of Sports Trader, a business magazine she
destined that Trudi would and Nicol du Toit bought in 1997. Prior to that she worked
spend her retirement as as a reporter at Die Burger, before joining Sarie and Rooi
Cape Camera editor. Rose magazines — the latter as deputy editor. After the
This is a role that is famil- birth of the first of their three children, she worked as a
iar to her, because she was freelance journalist for numerous publications.
Cape Camera editor from Nicol convinced her to join CTPS in 2012 after he
2014 to 2016, when she bought her a D-SLR camera. She achieved Master rank
asked for time out to com- and her colour panel earned LPSSA Honours. Trudi also
plete the CTPS 125 Year joined him at the Western Cape Photographing Forum
Celebration book, record- as secretary and co-administrator of the Western Cape
ing the society’s history. JAP course. She helped to organise two congresses.
She will also repeat the role of PRO she performed in Recently she catalogued the books in the CTPS archive
2016-2017, this time focusing on publicising major and identified the most valuable books. She is current-
CTPS events like the exhibition in the media. ly the chairperson of the PSSA Archives portfolio.

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