Goodbye Capetownbites Goodbye!

Its time to say Goodbye to Capetownbites and hello to my new weblog address. After a long hard slog over the last few months, the new site is finally well on its way. Why? The new site is easy to navigate and a joy to read. You may find what you are looking for under the categories and enjoy the faster speed.

So adieu to all that! Out with the old and in with the new.

Visit me at www.astridstark1.wordpress.com

Astrid

Rocking the Daisies - the Ecstasy. The Agony.

For easy reading: Click on article to enlarge.

An article published in The Event of October. PS: By far my favourite editor to write for...

Chicks with Tools

Chicks With Tools

Since starting to make wooden frames I have added an orbital sander, a metric saw, a jiggsaw and a drill to my collection of toys. They all live happily together in Big Jim, "The toolbox" along with screws, nails, glues, hammers, bits of wire, clamps, pencils, measuring tape and other things that I don't quite know what they are yet. I restore old wood with chunky knots and strips of bark on them and turn them into earthy, natural looking and large wooden frames. My dad said I should try a bit of art-o-pyromania: burning into pinewood with a blowtorch! What! Not sure this is wise but I will definitaly give it a go.

Bikini shoot: Pocahontas in Sea Point

The perfect day for a swimwear shoot. The photos are for Delray's modelling portfolio. She has high aspirations and a fair amount of talent. We managed to shoot a few pics before the Sea Point Pool management rounded up on us like a pack of hungry lions. The crochet bikini was created by Wi-We designs and its owner Wiedaad will be selling the concept to Design Indaba. Check out her website wi-we.com.

Theatrical Decadence

On 1 September the NewSpace theatre project was launched at 44 Long Street.
Pieter Dirk Uys, Mannie Manim, Percy Tucker, David Kramer and string of theatre stalwarts were there to dip the baby's head in Sparkling Wine. Soli Philander MC'd the affair and the sexy Coda provided the music. In one of the rooms I discovered an incredible collection of old theatre artwork. Surely an invaluable selection of South African theatre memorabilia that is begging to be restored and preserved?

Astrid Stark Photography hits front page of Big Issue

I did a shoot with South African musician Lonesome Dave Ferguson. Check out his music www.myspace.com/lonesomedaveferguson. Dave belts out raw country grooves and plays dirty twangs through his harmonica that makes you want to slap your thighs and grind your hips in a filthy way.

The Big Issue supports street trade. All the magazines are sold by street vendors, many who were previously unemployed and disadvantaged. The vendors get half the selling price of the magazine. The Big Issue's big mission is to create employment. Self respect and independence follow. Check them ut www.bigissue.org.za

Loch Ness Monster spotted in Cape Town

Yesterday, as I walked along the Sea Point prominade, I thought I saw Nessie slithering in a pool of water!
Luckily I had my trusty picture catcher with me - so I fired away and captured this image.

I have sent it off to Drumnadrochit (in Scotland) and will wait for their authenticity report.

Meanwhile it is back to the beach and "Operation Deepscan"

Obscene Food Photography

Creamy folds of Chocolate Mousse whipped and dipped
into a coco-crunchy layer of bittersweet chocolate,

resting gently atop pink voluptuous roasted
marshmallows that are wallowing their sticky fat bottoms

in a drippy, decadent mixed berry and mint Jus.

It's just obscene!

Women Engineers' Paintball Battle

There are few creatures as dangerous as a sleep deprived woman with a paintball gun, 200 bullets and a score to settle. Well, maybe 57 cranky women in one forest might be worse.

The girls were nervous at first, but soon battled it out in Tokai like pro's.

There were reports afterwards of intimidation, cheating, breaking the 8m distance rule and tears. But they will remain rumours as the girls were again reunited in female solidarity at the end of the war.

The Victorious Red Team!

Fashion Photography

The Sexy side of Engineering.

A photoshoot I did for SAwomEng (SA Women Engineers).
None of these girls are models but all of them leapt at the opportunity to swop overalls and goggles for satin and stillettos.

I have two big fat angels hovering over my head. They sent me Lee Miller, (the fabulous woman dressed in black). Watching the sweat break out on my brow, and the sheer panic in my face, Lee volunteered to assist me with styling the girls. She is actually and dancer and has her own studio in Houtbay, Lee's Dance Studio. But she is just a natural! She whipped the woman engineers into funky hip-hop frenzy. Lee can be reached at ragdolldancercat@gmail.com.

SA Women Engineers

I am busy with conference photography for the SA Women Engineers' group. http://www.sawomeng.co.za/
Sixty bright sparks for 5 days @ around 14 hours per day is rather hectic. But they are a great bunch and are starting to fancy themselves as models now - strutting their stuff for the camera in their finest.

Kulula.com - City Guide Editor

I edited Comic's life's City pages for two months in early 2008. It may seem light, and frivolous, but compiling 6 pages per month (with pics) takes a lot of research and completely filled up my mail box with event calenders, events and places of interest from across the country. A freelance writer has to carefully calculate the time spent on such assignments. The best part is that I made some excellent new friends, discovered precious gems and stumbled upon an old friend who is now the Executive Mayor of Eden Municipality - Rudi Laws. I remember the humble George settlement where he used to live. The township children adored him, and the people respected him for his gentleness, and his stubbourn determination. Rudi was alsways trying to find ways to improve the lot of his community. We used to sit outside in te sun and chew the fat over a half quart beer. We shared crazy fantasies of fame, friendship and fortune - I always had a feeling that he was destined for great things.

Article: Sunday Independent

Writers and photographers unite

Magic happens when writers and photographers work together. Munya Makoni wrote this piece for Big Issue magazine in May 2008. I took the photos. Munya is a qualified journalist from Zimbabwe. He trawls the streets of Cape Town, to find stories you and I can only imagine. Munya saw the potential in The Carpenter's dream and I captured it on film.

Poem for the little ones...

If you….

If you’re feeling lonely
Like no-one’s loving you
Then there’s really only one thing.
One thing you can do.
Find a dusty corner.
One that suits - just you
And find a lumpy stick
Any kind will surely do.
Then all you need to do
All you really need to do
Is beat your largest toe
Until its black and blue

Article: ACC Liverpool inspires green CTICC

I wrote this piece for The Event Newspaper after an interview with Jacquie Rogers, GM of the Liverpool ACC and Dirk Elzinga, CEO of the CTICC

CLICK ON ARTICLE TO ENLARGE FOR EASY READING.

Article: Paris Fashion Week - Pursuit magazine

In January 2007 I flew to Paris for Gavin Rajah's Haute Couture fashion show. This piece I brought back for Pursuit magazine.
Please double click on article for easy reading.

Photography: Fruit & Veg

Today is great day.

Photography: Super Bike Racing

South African Superbike racer, Adam Wright burns rubber at the final race day, Killarney, Cape Town.

Photography: Dance/stage

Photoshoot: La Rosa Dance School, Cape Town.
For: Big Issue Magazine
Camera: Canon EOS 350D (Digital) & Tripod

Taking photos of flamenco dancers twirling and swaying under smoky multi-coloured strobe lights is about the most fun you can have with your clothes on.
It is also very tricky and unpredictable - especially when it is rehearsal day. The light technician continuously fiddled with the light sequence, speed and strength, making it near impossible to plan a good shot - near impossible. The most charming feature of this shoot lay exactly in that unpredictability. The shot that I carefully framed and timed came out lame. Nearly two hours later, I finally relaxed and resigned myself to a disaster. I stopped being intimidated by the fluctuating light conditions and fiddling with my camera settings, and simply concentrated on capturing the motion and essence of the dancers.

Keep an extra battery and memory card handy as it takes some time to find your own rhythm within the dancers. You are going to want to take a lot of pics. I'd also recommend shooting during rehearsals as your camera's flash, and yourself jumping up and down on the stage, is sure to irritate paying patrons.

"Sometimes we have to let go of all we think we know in order to absorb the authenticity of the moment" - Gonzo files.

Keep an extra battery and memory card handy as it takes some time to find your own rhythm with the dancers, and you are going to want to take a lot of pics. I'd also recommend shooting during rehearsals as your camera's flash, and you jumping up and down on the stage, is sure to iritate paying patrons.

Photography is for the birds

Photoshoot: World of Birds, Houtbay.
Published by www.reporter.co.za

It is a tragic reality that in order for most humans to interact closely with wild animals we have to lock them up in cages.

As a photographer there are few things as frustrating as observing animals wrapped in wire. By playing around with your sport settings and manual focus, you can make those sad cages all but disappear - even if just for a moment.