Page 19 - Cape-Camera-February-2025

Cape Camera February 2025

Above: 'Abandoned hallway'. Abandoned photography, is
another photographic passion which Rudi hopes to pursue
further in Cape Town and neighbouring areas in the future.
Above right and right: 'Middle Earth' and 'Set fire to the
rain'. Landscape photography is Rudi's favourite photo-
graphic genre.

Meet Rudi Pothas from p18

In 2013 he moved to Newcastle, where there was no PS-
SA-affiliated camera club and during the next five years
he took a break from photography. This decision was re- His first photographic love was, undoubtedly, wildlife
inforced when most of his camera equipment was sto- photography. "I was incredibly lucky to be able to spend
len during a break-in. After returning to Pretoria in 2018, a lot of time at Sabi Sands between 2010 and 2012. Sabi
he re-joined PPS and served on the committee and as Sands has the highest leopard density anywhere in the
vice-president during 2019-2022. world. Our record was seeing eleven different leopards
He moved to Cape Town in 2023, where he currently in one day!
works as an academic editor for an international publish- "These wildlife photographic trips inevitably also in-
ing company. The company's purpose is to assist Asian volved capturing the beautiful landscapes that these
scholars (China, South Korea, Ja- animals inhabit. This grew into
pan, etc.) to advance their research "To me, photography is more a strong passion for landscape
for publication in Western journals. than just a hobby. it is a way photography. What drew me
"I heard from Evelyn Gibson, who of life, a means of expression, most to landscape photography
was a long-time member of PPS and a window to the world." was the calmness of the process,
and CTPS, that CTPS was a great as opposed to the short bursts of
club. I joined CTPS in 2023, and the action found in the wildlife pho-
rest is history." tographic process.
Rudi was soon asked to assist Lesley during competi- "As I continue my photographic journey, I have several
tion evenings — a skill he mastered at PPS — and was aspirations:"
elected to council in the election the following year. Rudi He would like to explore new photographic genres, such
initially served as secretary, but became the custodian as architectural photography.
of our collections once his interest became known. He is "Since I am now living close to the ocean, I plan to pho-
now also responsible for our meeting venue. tograph many of the beaches around Cape Town and
he says. "My photographic journey has been an enrich- along the westcoast to capture the natural beauty of
ing experience, filled with moments of discovery, crea- these locations," he adds.
tivity, and profound connections. "Photography has given me so much, and I wish to give
"Photography is not just about taking pictures; it's about back by sharing some of my knowledge and experience."
seeing the world with a creative and empathetic eye. My Rudi has offered to conduct zoom sessions for CTPS
passion for photography has shaped my perspective, members that will be focused on post-processing imag-
allowing me to connect with people, places, and mo- es. Details of these sessions will be shared via Snapshot .
ments in meaningful ways. As I continue to explore and "My other interests include numismatics (the study or
grow, I look forward to capturing more of life's fleeting collection of coins, banknotes and medals) and playing
moments and sharing them with the world." golf (when the wind allows it)," he concludes.

Cape Town Photographic Society 19