This one is Addington Hospital, as seen from the Children's Hospital next door to it. I didnt realise that there were so many broken windows.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Buildings - Up close
Buildings - up close.
This one is Addington Hospital, as seen from the Children's Hospital next door to it. I didnt realise that there were so many broken windows.
This one is Addington Hospital, as seen from the Children's Hospital next door to it. I didnt realise that there were so many broken windows.
Another award!
Most dramatic photo.....
The camera club Christmas party was held at the beginning of the December. We had a mini exhibition, with a non-serious awards ceremony for the photos that were put up for exhibit that night. The catergories were fun, like "Photo with the most Red in it", "Best Wildlife" and "Best 'Aaaah, cute' Photo". The judges were some of the non-photographers at the party.
My photo of the Point building got the award for The Most Dramatic Photo. I was quite chuffed!
Last one standing.
Although it was a fun award, and I'm damn glad that I didnt get awarded the booby prize for "Photo with object most in the middle", its still great to be acknowledged and have people like what I do!
The camera club Christmas party was held at the beginning of the December. We had a mini exhibition, with a non-serious awards ceremony for the photos that were put up for exhibit that night. The catergories were fun, like "Photo with the most Red in it", "Best Wildlife" and "Best 'Aaaah, cute' Photo". The judges were some of the non-photographers at the party.
My photo of the Point building got the award for The Most Dramatic Photo. I was quite chuffed!
Last one standing.
Although it was a fun award, and I'm damn glad that I didnt get awarded the booby prize for "Photo with object most in the middle", its still great to be acknowledged and have people like what I do!
I love this building!
I love this building. Everytime I see it, it captures my attention. I love the crazy turquiose colour, and I adore the wacky windows. Its just such a quirky and wierd slab of brick and concrete. It appeals to me enormously.
Turquoise beauty.
Perhaps I'm a lunatic, and I just love turquoise, but I'm always grateful when the robot goes red, because then I get to take a few photos of this building!!!
Wacky windows.
The windows are so funky and such a wierd shape. Fantastic architecture! And its in Durban, nogal. Not too shaby.........
Turquoise beauty.
Perhaps I'm a lunatic, and I just love turquoise, but I'm always grateful when the robot goes red, because then I get to take a few photos of this building!!!
Wacky windows.
The windows are so funky and such a wierd shape. Fantastic architecture! And its in Durban, nogal. Not too shaby.........
Good news about the Children's Hospital
Perhaps it was our good vibes and curiosity about the building, or perhaps it is just coincidence. But its good news, and thats what we should celebrate. The Department of Health have decided to renovate and restore the ruined building back into a children's hospital!
It was reported by Vivienne Attwood, of the Sunday Tribune that the go ahead had been given to revamp the building, and make it a children's hospital. She wrote about this a few months ago. I have to say I was greatly relieved to see that someone was going to do justice to that building, instead of just ripping it down and turning the land into a casino. Yes, that was one of the 'options'. A restoration of the building makes a lot more sense, seeing that it is filled with beautiful fittings and the architecture is so grand.
A few of my fellow Urbex explorers, and I invited Vivienne to join us on one of our explorations back to the hospital. Allan had contacted her after her article came out, to tell her that we'd made that one of favourite places to take photos. Vivienne was fascinated by what we had been doing, and even more intrigued by the building.
Ironically though she told us that even though she had recieved the announcement about the revamp by the Dept of Health, when she wanted to verify this with trustees of the building, they did not know what she was talking about. One of the trustees is a decendant of the founder of the building, and has maintained an interest in the building through the years. I dont know if the trustees own the building anymore, but they have an interest in its future. As such they should have the first to know about the decision made about its future! Strangely enough, they were the last to know.
Anyway, its good news that the building isnt going to be torn down, or used for ridiculous purposes.
The bad news is that our opportunities for further photography exploring are probably going to be curtailed. We've gone back a few times. The last time was a bit dicey, as we couldnt climb over the wall as before. They had fenced in everything, so our fast access to the door was gone! Amusingly, though, the gate that we thought was padlocked was open, so we just pushed that aside, and walked in. However, once we got inside the building, I was frantic with thoughts of someone locking the padlock, and trapping us in the premises. Who do we call in that situation? "Hi Dad, I'm trapped in a run down building in the Point area. Can you bring some bolt cutters to break into the lock?" Haha.... Calling the police would be even more hilarious - seeing that we are loitering, or breaking and entering property that we shouldn't be in!
We need a new spot now. If anyone knows of a derelict building needing to be seen, viewed and photographed by some crazy Urban Explorers, let me know!!!
Reflections and angles. Red and yellow.
The turquoise chair.
It was reported by Vivienne Attwood, of the Sunday Tribune that the go ahead had been given to revamp the building, and make it a children's hospital. She wrote about this a few months ago. I have to say I was greatly relieved to see that someone was going to do justice to that building, instead of just ripping it down and turning the land into a casino. Yes, that was one of the 'options'. A restoration of the building makes a lot more sense, seeing that it is filled with beautiful fittings and the architecture is so grand.
A few of my fellow Urbex explorers, and I invited Vivienne to join us on one of our explorations back to the hospital. Allan had contacted her after her article came out, to tell her that we'd made that one of favourite places to take photos. Vivienne was fascinated by what we had been doing, and even more intrigued by the building.
Ironically though she told us that even though she had recieved the announcement about the revamp by the Dept of Health, when she wanted to verify this with trustees of the building, they did not know what she was talking about. One of the trustees is a decendant of the founder of the building, and has maintained an interest in the building through the years. I dont know if the trustees own the building anymore, but they have an interest in its future. As such they should have the first to know about the decision made about its future! Strangely enough, they were the last to know.
Anyway, its good news that the building isnt going to be torn down, or used for ridiculous purposes.
The bad news is that our opportunities for further photography exploring are probably going to be curtailed. We've gone back a few times. The last time was a bit dicey, as we couldnt climb over the wall as before. They had fenced in everything, so our fast access to the door was gone! Amusingly, though, the gate that we thought was padlocked was open, so we just pushed that aside, and walked in. However, once we got inside the building, I was frantic with thoughts of someone locking the padlock, and trapping us in the premises. Who do we call in that situation? "Hi Dad, I'm trapped in a run down building in the Point area. Can you bring some bolt cutters to break into the lock?" Haha.... Calling the police would be even more hilarious - seeing that we are loitering, or breaking and entering property that we shouldn't be in!
We need a new spot now. If anyone knows of a derelict building needing to be seen, viewed and photographed by some crazy Urban Explorers, let me know!!!
Reflections and angles. Red and yellow.
The turquoise chair.
Monday, October 12, 2009
What about the children?
I've been exploring again. And I realise that what I do actually has a name - its called Urban Exploring. Or Urbex. Its the art of exploring an abandoned or deserted building, taking photos and walking about, and then leaving without a trace.
I went to the Addington Children's Hospital to take photos this weekend. Its next to the existing Addington Hospital, but has unfortunately, and for some bizarre reason, been closed and abandoned for a few years. Its even been incorporated into a building site, and the property around the building has been used to house building supplies for Africon, who are doing the beachfront renovation.
Restricted Access - by Vanessa Cracknell
At first it was just thrilling to actually be in the building, and not to have been caught. Umm, yes, there might have been a bit of breaking and entering - except that the doors were wide open. Essentially only 'entering' happened. Half illegal - half innocent. Once I got over the fact that it appeared we were going to left alone in the building, I started to have a good look around.
Cast Aside - by Vanessa Cracknell
That's when it hit me. This was a children's hospital, filled with colourful cheerful paintings on the walls. Children came here to get well, and even more sadly, to die. But with the sea, beach and waves just across the road, perhaps they wouldn't have felt too bad about being sick?
One of the fellow Urbex photographers with me remarked that he had been born in the hospital, in 1975. This was a happy place where babies were born and got their start in life.
It struck me then how utterly stupid it was that this building was shut down, and not being put to any good use. No one seems to know what will happen to the building. The Department of Health owns it, but doesn't seem to care about it. A tirade about South African bureaucracy seems appropriate, but what good is that going to do? Does anyone listen?
Maybe they will look, and see what is happening. Here are some of my photos taken yesterday, Sunday 11 October 2009. They document the eeriness and the desolation, but also hopefully show that if we act now, there is a lot to be saved. For the children.
Going to be a long wait - by Vanessa Cracknell
Not such a sweet world - by Vanessa Cracknell
To see more of my photos, go here:
Abandoned Doll - by Vanessa Cracknell
I went to the Addington Children's Hospital to take photos this weekend. Its next to the existing Addington Hospital, but has unfortunately, and for some bizarre reason, been closed and abandoned for a few years. Its even been incorporated into a building site, and the property around the building has been used to house building supplies for Africon, who are doing the beachfront renovation.
Restricted Access - by Vanessa Cracknell
At first it was just thrilling to actually be in the building, and not to have been caught. Umm, yes, there might have been a bit of breaking and entering - except that the doors were wide open. Essentially only 'entering' happened. Half illegal - half innocent. Once I got over the fact that it appeared we were going to left alone in the building, I started to have a good look around.
Cast Aside - by Vanessa Cracknell
That's when it hit me. This was a children's hospital, filled with colourful cheerful paintings on the walls. Children came here to get well, and even more sadly, to die. But with the sea, beach and waves just across the road, perhaps they wouldn't have felt too bad about being sick?
One of the fellow Urbex photographers with me remarked that he had been born in the hospital, in 1975. This was a happy place where babies were born and got their start in life.
Let go Lego - by Vanessa Cracknell
It struck me then how utterly stupid it was that this building was shut down, and not being put to any good use. No one seems to know what will happen to the building. The Department of Health owns it, but doesn't seem to care about it. A tirade about South African bureaucracy seems appropriate, but what good is that going to do? Does anyone listen?
Maybe they will look, and see what is happening. Here are some of my photos taken yesterday, Sunday 11 October 2009. They document the eeriness and the desolation, but also hopefully show that if we act now, there is a lot to be saved. For the children.
Going to be a long wait - by Vanessa Cracknell
Not such a sweet world - by Vanessa Cracknell
To see more of my photos, go here:
Abandoned Doll - by Vanessa Cracknell
Monday, September 14, 2009
Fame. At last....
Role out the red carpet, here she comes! The Famous Telegraph competition participant!!
I'm famous! Ha-ha... well, moderately, anyway. It was only 2nd place. So I can't get too carried away. But its fame, and I'm excited about it!
There is a weekly photographic competition, held on Flickr, but run by The Telegraph UK. They have different themes, this last week it was 'Buildings'. I submitted my photo of the Durban skyscrapers. And I came 2nd! And the blog I wrote about the photo was mentioned too!
Kate Day, the journalist who runs the competition, had some very nice comments to make about the photo. I'm thrilled!!
The link to the Daily Telegraph page: Photo competition: buildings
Durban city skyscraper, with barbed wire.
I'm famous! Ha-ha... well, moderately, anyway. It was only 2nd place. So I can't get too carried away. But its fame, and I'm excited about it!
There is a weekly photographic competition, held on Flickr, but run by The Telegraph UK. They have different themes, this last week it was 'Buildings'. I submitted my photo of the Durban skyscrapers. And I came 2nd! And the blog I wrote about the photo was mentioned too!
Kate Day, the journalist who runs the competition, had some very nice comments to make about the photo. I'm thrilled!!
The link to the Daily Telegraph page: Photo competition: buildings
Durban city skyscraper, with barbed wire.
Its so great to be recognised for having done something good, even if it is a little weekly competition. For a complete stranger to acknowledge my photo, and see something in it, is quite fantastic. Kate Day's comments about the photo and the blog are very interesting as well.
Another member of the camera club I belong to, Allan Jackson, has also had a photo or two be featured in this competition, so the Hillcrest Camera Club is doing well to gain international recognition!
Of course, now the challenge is on to the rest of you. Lets see how many other Hillcrest Camera Club members, or fellow Durbanites can get their photos featured in international competitions like the Telegraph's.
See you on the red carpet!
Monday, September 07, 2009
Risk, Art and Hands
This is the photo that got me inspired. It is a Minkkinen "Self Portrait" done in his distinctive abstract style. I love this photo. I love how the two hands form a new shape, and how they seem poised to touch, but dont. The background plays a role in adding to the mood. And the tree is shaped like the arm. Or is it that the arm follows the shape of the tree? Once one begins to look deeper, there are questions as to how the shot was created. If it is a self portrait, how did Minkkinen shoot it?
On reading up on Minkkinen, I soon realised that my first assumption that these couldnt be self portraits, was wrong. He states that he took all his own photos. Its a tricky process, made even more difficult when done on a film camera, as his shots are. No digital memory cards of infinite quantities. Limited film meant limited opportunities to get the shot right.
Minkinnen quotes Georges Braque :"Out of limitations, new forms emerge." Minkkinen says that "Art is risk made visible". He meant that instead of being limited by his restrictions, he used them to make himself grow. And to take better photographs. He risked more, to create his art.
This is a philosophy that resonates with me profoundly. I have many limitations myself - my camera equipment, or the lack therof, my lack of experience and my lack of training. Yet in Minkkinen's eyes, these limitations should free me, and make me grow. I should be happy to take the risk, just to create art.
Its a kind of reverse phsycology that makes sense to me, somehow.
With this in mind, I have tried to 'copy' Minkkinen's photo. Its not easy - trying to explain philosophy and theory, while also getting the hand shape correct, to my 'models' Michele and Tanika was difficult! After a few shots where my 'models' attempted to 'strike the pose' but failed, I just took a deep breath, and let the process flow. I let them do what they wanted. I took many shots, with all sorts of hand poses. .
I didnt get the exact pose as the Minkkinen photo above, but I think Imight have got an even better pose. When I got back home, and looked on the computer, I realised that I had captured a lot of detail in the fingers and hands. Coverting to black and white made the character of the hands stand out even more. The light from the sun, and the flash, created an interesting contrast. I had also over exposed for the sky, so had created a strong background colour for the hands.
I think I got a magical shot. Their hands look amazing and I love the detail.
I am hoping to take many more hand shots. Right now, I am enjoying the challenge and the reward of creating something incredible out of something as simple as a hand.
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