If a picture paints a thousand words, this pictogram (Fig 1) tells a lot about one budding astronomer’s journey since first studying the skies from different locations many years ago. But the chart, spanning two decades of viewing sessions, tells just part of the story: behind it are the friendships and assistance from Astronomical Society of …
Matchbox Pinhole Camera Featured on TV
My matchbox pinhole camera was featured in a TV slot about the “I Love Melville” street photography exhibition, put on by the Alternative Print Workshop in June 2017. The exhibition explored Melville’s vibrant street culture during the day and night in black and white hand-printed photographs. I submitted two photographs taken with my matchbox pinhole …
Achieve Focus with Deliberate Camera Movement
Digital cameras remove most of the thinking, allowing us take perfect photos automatically. Usually we demand that snapshots are sharp, which digital cameras do effortlessly. But freeze-framing a scene with movement and action can limit our experience of it. By embracing blur – letting go of absolute sharpness – you can create dramatic photographs that …
Photographing Melville at 3am
Standing in the middle of Seventh Street in Melville at 3am, I found the normally lively suburb fast asleep. The only movement was from a few stray cats – slinking in the shadows – the rustling of litter on the empty street, traffic lights changing without reason and pulsating shop window signs – a heartbeat …
Voortrekker Monument Through a Pinhole
Pinhole photograph: “Memory space”, Voortrekker Monument, Converted Empire Junior 6×6, 17 minute exposure, Ilford Delta 100, f/148, developed by the Alternative Print Workshop I was actually searching on Google for a lens. Following my curiosity – I had no idea what a pinhole was – that link sent me on a journey back to the …
Neglect syndrome – ignoring half the world
Right Hand Left Hand by Chris McManus is a fascinating book about handedness, from its history to what might be the reason why about 90% of us are right-handed. His book comes highly recommended by The Naked Scientist, aka Chris Smith, who has a weekly talk show radio slot on 702, answering questions related to …
Poor Charts & Data to Blame for Shuttle Disasters?
On January 28, 1986, tragedy struck. I remember that day clearly. On board the Space Shuttle Challenger was the first school teacher destined to go into space. Seventy six seconds after liftoff, speeding at over 2,000 km/h, the shuttle disintegrated, killing all seven crew members. During the accident investigation, it became apparent that poorly presented …
Visiting SALT: A Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
Visiting SALT – short for South African Large Telescope – must be on your ‘bucket list’. Not only is it one of the largest optical telescopes in the southern hemisphere, but it’s also probably one of the most expensive and hi-tech refrigerators too. Sitting atop a hill just a short drive from the Karoo town …