Tag Archives: yacht

Good morning Durban

October 6, 2016 Andrew Harvard Leave a comment

I lay in bed at 04:30 this morning, after getting up for a short while, and was thinking about sleeping in until 06:30.

web-prepared-large

Robin Sharma‘s recent email kept beating in my head so I had no option but to get back out of bed and head to the harbour and then beach to watch the sunrise.

I didn’t want to “lose” my membership in the 5 am Club!

“The moment you think you’re amazing is the moment you lose the very mentality (and spirit) that made you amazing. On the arrival of uncommon success, the human tendency is:

1. For humility to become eroded and arrogance to creep in

2. To lose the fire that got you into The 5 am Club, kept you pushing to be the best & moved you to persist against all that fear could put in your way

3. To rest on your laurels and fall into the seduction of thinking that what made you successful will keep you successful

And so, as you navigate your rise to world-class, avoid “the catastrophe of success”. Own your Craft. Live your Genius. Lift our World” ~ Robin Sharma

Canon G3X used for all photos, minor adjustment in LR only

Royal Natal Yacht Club, Point Yacht Club and Moyo Ushaka – location

5 Star Durban #durbantours #durbantourism #tourdurban #durban

Photography, Travel

Food with a View

July 20, 2015 Andrew Harvard Leave a comment

I recently won the 10-20 lens from Sigma South Africa in a local comp. I previously owned one but sold it to upgrade to the Canon South Africa 6D with a Canon EF 17–40mm lens. I kept the old baby Canon 550D as it had served me well and is a great backup. They don’t make the 550D anymore and there are far superior models available, but I’ve always said “I won’t be bothered if you give me back my old camera and lens (Sigma 10-20 lens & Canon 550D body); it’s a magic combination!

Sigma South Africa, by giving me the 10-20 lens once again, has set the photo monster loose!

I’ve straightened some of the buildings and left others skew on purpose. As you can see I’ve gone big on the colour. Settings F10, ISO 100, 1/30 sec

5 Star Durban I Love Durban Celebrate Durban! Show Me Durban KuDta On Wilsons Wharf Wilson’s Wharf Zack’z Wilsons Wharf Wilson’s Wharf – Spur Casadena Wilson’s Wharf – Rod N Reel Club Royal Natal Yacht Club Point Yacht Club Royal Natal Yacht Club Yacht Network Madevu Executive Charters Kudta Sigma South Africa Sigma lenses

— at Wilson’s Wharf.

Photography, Travel

Mother’s Day Sunrise

June 12, 2015 Andrew Harvard 2 Comments

“Mother’s love is peace. It need not be acquired, it need not be deserved” ~ Erich Fromm

Canon South Africa 6D from Orms, Canon EF 17–40mm lens F7.1, 1/60 sec, ISO 320, handheld, firing Yongnuo store flash from CameraStuff: on tripod off camera aiming at red yacht smile emoticon lol (having fun).

I Love Durban 5 Star Durban Celebrate Durban! Show Me Durban Durban Rowing Club Point Yacht Club Royal Natal Yacht Club Royal Natal Yacht Club Yachting Magazine Yacht Network

Photography, Travel

Explore, Dream & Discover

June 6, 2015 Andrew Harvard Leave a comment

Good morning Durban – a National Geographic Magazine Top 10 Oceanfront City!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did so. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover” ~ Mark Twain

F16, 1/125 sec, ISO 640 Canon South Africa 6D fromOrms, Canon EF 17–40mm lens, 05 April 2015, 06:33 AM, Point Yacht Club Durban, 2nd photo in series “Explore, Dream & Discover”

#durban #ilovedurban #ethekwini #031durbz #iheartdurban #pointyachtclub #royalnatalyachtclub #top10city #top10oceanfrontcity #travelnationalgeographic #nationalgeographic #nationalgeographictravel #yacht #yachting #sailing #southafrica #landscape #cityscape #seascape #durbanharbour #sunrise #dream #discover #explore #travel

I Love Durban 5 Star Durban Celebrate Durban! I Like Durban
Royal Natal Yacht Club Royal Natal Yacht Club Yacht Network
Yacht Photography Yachting Magazine SuperYachtTimes.com
Yachting Yachts EThekwini SA-People – for South Africans in South Africa and expats National Geographic Travel National Geographic

— at Royal Natal Yacht Club.

Photography, Travel

Canon 550 & Nifty-Fifty Fun

May 31, 2015 Andrew Harvard Leave a comment

Although I sat drinking my coffee this morning and contemplating for 30 min up until 05:30 over Canon 6D or 550D, 50mm 1.8, 17-40, 24-105, flash or not, Beverly Hills Hotel Umhlanga Rocks beach, Durban Surf surfers off North Beach or Moyo beach, I still ended up taking a knife to a gunfight!

As I drove away from my house I saw the pinks and oranges coming. I still had hope. Once I reach the Point Yacht Club and scouted around Royal Natal Yacht Club I thought “Oh Shi!@#$%^&*!!!”. My 6D and 17-40mm was what I should have had with me.

My poor old 550D tried its best to shoot handheld at ISO 800, something I take for granted on the 6D, but the first load of shots didn’t make the initial post-processing. Luckily I burnt up an 8GB card so the end shots with more light were a little better.

Canon South Africa 550D, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens ISO 800, AV, speeds 1/200 – 250 sec, handheld, 4 portrait images stitched in PS. The 550 and 50mm 1.8 is a really entry-level kit but it continues to surprise me.

I Love Durban 5 Star Durban Celebrate Durban!

Photography, Travel

Spirit D’ Sulis

May 1, 2015 Andrew Harvard Leave a comment

From the yacht’s website: “Our fleet boasts the “Spirit D’ Sulis” a luxury 5 berth Royal Cape catamaran, kitted out with an exclusive master suite and 2 double bed berth rooms, both with en suites. The luxury yacht for hire offers 2 single bunk bed berths, each with en suites. Let the Spirit D’ Sulis transport you to some of the finest sailing grounds and stunning places on the coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. The capacity of this yacht for overnight stays is 10 passengers, however we accommodate up to a maximum of 20 people for cruises. Catamarans are the best vessel for our opulent charters, with plenty of space, stability and speed for your perfect sea holiday. Although the principles of sailing are the same for both catamarans and monohulls, the catamaran is reputed to be faster and more stable. The spacious outlay of the deck and cockpit, and cabin accommodation at the ends of the seemingly narrow hulls and large, ensures that the royal lounge provides all the comfort and privacy that you could possibly imagine. The Spirit d’Sulis luxury yacht offers an amazing abundance of open space, ideal for a variety of activities such as sitting, walking, playing, sunbathing and napping. It is an ideal choice for families with children and large groups.” ~ http://www.spiritdsulis.co.za/boats-yachts/ The Spirit of elan

After my mobile phone photo last week, a suggestion by Brian, the Canon South Africa Roadshow yesterday, and motivation by Lee Slabber, I gave the Canon EF 17–40mm lens a run this morning in the CBD and then at Wilson’s Wharf (not my usual seascapes). Bent building, oily water, no meaningful crop – but I love it.

Canon 6D from Orms, F9, 1/640 sec, ISO 100. Vertical pano stitch in PS.

— in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

Photography, Travel

I Survived

April 23, 2015 Andrew Harvard Leave a comment

“I survived because the fire inside burned brighter than the fire around me. Waging war against good people is bad for the soul. This may not seem important to you now, but it’s the most important thing I’ve said. In a world filled with misery and uncertainty, it is a great comfort to know that, in the end, there is light in the darkness.” ~ Joshua Graham

The accompanying photo “I Survived” (with proof that there is light in the darkness 😉 ) was posted earlier than intended after I saw the JG quote last night (09 April 2015) on clarity.advising on Instagram.

Also, two friends especially enjoyed the JG and Lenny K quotes so I found one more apt JG quote, which I placed above and have included my all-time fave below:

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” ~ Mary Anne Radmacher

Canon South Africa 6D from Orms, 17-40mm L, F11, 6 sec, ISO 50

3 April 2015, 06:04, Point Yacht Club

‪#‎landscape‬ ‪#‎sunrise‬ ‪#‎motivation‬ ‪#‎nevergiveup‬ ‪#‎isurvived‬ ‪#‎longexposure‬ ‪#‎durban‬ ‪#‎ilovedurban‬ ‪#‎031durbz‬ ‪#‎yacht‬ ‪#‎yachting‬ ‪#‎sailing‬ ‪#‎bay‬ ‪#‎durbanbay‬ ‪#‎durbanharbour‬

Photography, Travel

Pigeon Playground

April 21, 2015 Andrew Harvard Leave a comment

“Don’t give up, You’re gonna see tomorrow. That you’ll be on your feet again. Sometimes the world’s gonna knock you over. But you will see who you are your friends. Come on, stand, up again. Come on, stand,
Stand, you’re gonna run again. Your faith and patience will be your soldiers. To guide you through your troubled times. Just put one foot in front of the other. The battles are inside your mind. You have the power to face your demons. No matter how they go on time. And rid yourself of your fear and weakness. So you can start to live your life. COME ON! stand, up again. Come on, stand, Stand, you’re gonna run again. COME ON! stand, up again. Come on, stand, Stand, you’re gonna run again. Pick up your will. And put on your face. If you need to, just take my hand. It’s time to demonstrate, don’t hesitate. Just get up and say: Yes, I can. Stand, up again. Come on, stand, Stand, you’re gonna run again. Stand, up again. Come on, stand, Stand, you’re gonna run again.” – Lenny Kravitz

Taken with my baby Canon South Africa 550D using a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II Lens F2, 1/4000 sec, ISO 100 – more or less Canon’s cheapest DSLR kit

‪#‎canon‬ ‪#‎canonsouthafrica‬ ‪#‎yachtmole‬ ‪#‎pointyachtclub‬ ‪#‎sunrise‬ ‪#‎durban‬‪#‎ilovedurban‬ ‪#‎50mm‬ ‪#‎southafrica‬ ‪#‎dontneedtopoftherangecamera‬‪#‎usewhatyouhave‬ ‪#‎landscape‬ ‪#‎031durban‬ ‪#‎durbz‬ ‪#‎stopwhining‬

Photography, Travel

Sail Away

April 19, 2015 Andrew Harvard 2 Comments

Good morning Durban!

“If we fail to nourish our souls, they wither, and without soul, life ceases to have meaning…. The creative process shrivels in the absence of continual dialogue with the soul. And creativity is what makes life worth living.” – Marion Woodman

One way to nourish your soul is to get up early, at least an hour before the sun, and watch the day break; slowly, methodically, gracefully. Photography isn’t just about the photo for me, it’s about the preparation before the shoot, the meditation while shooting, and the artistic licence you give yourself while shaping the end product in your digital darkroom.

Canon South Africa 6D from Orms, Canon EF 17–40mm lens, F16, 1/250 sec, ISO 640 – Durban Royal Natal Yacht Club: Sunday 5 April 2015, taken off marina pier – “Sail Away”

Celebrate Durban! I Love Durban 5 Star Durban I Like Durban
‪#‎sunrise‬ ‪#‎landscape‬ ‪#‎seascape‬ ‪#‎daybreak‬ ‪#‎durban‬ ‪#‎ilovedurban‬ ‪#‎031durbz‬‪#‎031mycity‬ ‪#‎mycity‬ ‪#‎canon‬ ‪#‎canonsouthafrica‬ ‪#‎ethekwini‬ ‪#‎mycity031‬

Photography, Travel

Durban #mycity 2015

April 9, 2015 Andrew Harvard Leave a comment

durban-mycity-2015 (Large)

“The Royal Natal Yacht Club is situated at the Yacht Mole in the Durban harbour. The club is synonymous with the early days of Port Natal, where the gentlemanly pursuit of yachting was high on the social and sporting agenda. Much of the history of early Durban can be linked to this club and the early regattas were always popular occasions.

The Royal Natal Yacht Club has a fascinating history that stretches over a few centuries. It was originally known as the Durban Regatta Club and was formed in 1858, when the first-ever sailing regatta was held in Durban.

Further down the line, it became known as the Natal Yacht Club and, in 1891, much to the delight of those who had settled in the port city of Durban, it was officially declared the Royal Natal Yacht Club. These days, the Royal Natal Yacht Club is an active yacht club with racing on offer. Wednesday evenings in summer are good for sundowner sailing, while dinghy racing takes place on Saturday afternoons and Sundays are for keelboat racing.

This yacht club in Durban is open to the public and these days guests can enjoy the grandeur of yachting with a modern twist as the Clubhouse is available for a delicious meal or drinks at the end of the day. The Britannia Room is situated on the upper level of the club with incredible views over the Durban Marina. Sunday carvery lunches here are legendary and the kitchen is known to serve a good Indian curry.

The Lower Deck is where diners can enjoy relaxed meetings, breakfasts or lunches and it opens onto the lawns, where visitors enjoy alfresco dining on the grass overlooking Durban’s harbour.

There is also a swimming pool and a jungle gym for the children.

There are regular regattas and the sight of yachts in full sail out on the Indian Ocean or coming in to the harbour is certainly something to behold.” ~ SouthAfrica.Net

The cloud bank was hanging heavily over the sea this morning and the sky turned pink for only a short while. Some of the pink carried over the yacht mole.

The inserted photo was taken off the pier looking North towards Victoria Embankment / Margaret Mncadi Road and the CBD. It was nice to see the water was a little blue and mullet / other predatory fish / birds are still active in this area.

Canon 6D, F14, 121 sec, ISO 50, Canon 17-40L lens