Soul of the Rising Sun: Jan-Mar 2016

14 Jan 2016 01:09 - 14 Jan 2016 03:52 #66456 by intrepid
This is the official thread for the first quarter of the Essense of the Dragon 2016 photo competition.

Theme: Soul of the Rising Sun

Criteria:
  • The shot must be of a sunrise (not sunset).
  • The sun need not be visible in the photo, but there must be a distinct red, orange or yellow in the shot that is characteristic of a sunrise.
  • Sunrise colours in the sky should be clearly featured. The colours should not be purely the glow on the peaks or valleys.
  • Scenery must be included in the view that is characteristic of the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains. For example: silhouette of a basalt column, classically shaped peak or range sticking out from the escarpment; Little Berg valleys viewed from a vantage point such as the escarpment; identifiable distant landmarks such as Woodstock Dam or Ntabamhlophe.
  • No time period restrictions are applicable.

Background info / tips:
Sunrises viewed from the Mnweni Escarpment occur behind the Cathedral Range in the warmer months and spectacular sunrise silhouettes of the Cathedral Range can be seen during this time, particularly from the Ntonjelana Pass area. As the calendar year progresses, this position shifts towards Woodstock Dam, where the disc of the sun can clearly be seen emerging from the horizon from the comfort of several escarpment caves such as Ifidi Cave and Mponjwane Cave in the winter.



Album for submissions: www.vertical-endeavour.com/gallery/drakensberg/featured-images/soul-of-the-rising-sun-jan-mar-2016.html

Start date: 01 January 2016
Last submission date: 31 March 2016
Last voting date: 10 April 2016



Prize: Scrubba Washbag
The world’s smallest washing machine with its internal washboard. It is ideal for travelling, expeditions, biking journeys and hiking trips. In fact, any extended trip in an outdoor setting has a place for the Scrubba Washbag. When not using it as a washing bag it doubles up as a waterproof dry bag.

Retail value: R799.00

www.thescrubba.com









Fore more information on the Essence of the Dragon competition, please follow this link:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/blog/23-general/this-site/237-essence-of-the-dragon.html

Before participating in this round, please read through all the rules and procedures detailed in the governing rules for the competition, which can be read here:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/blog/23-general/this-site/236-governing-rules-for-essence-of-the-dragon.html

The overview and progress for Essence of the Dragon 2016 can be viewed here:
www.vertical-endeavour.com/blog/23-general/this-site/238-essence-of-the-dragon-2016.html



Prize sponsored by Adventure Works Africa

Adventure Works Africa is an African based adventure guiding company, logistics service and training facilitator, operating from South Africa. Managed by its founder, Kobus Bresler, an experienced adventure guide and registered training and facilitation provider, he has over the years put together a team of friends and skilled colleagues that are all involved because of a shared passion for people, mountains and the outdoors in general. Their unique skill sets is what adds value to Adventure Works Africa.

Adventure Works Africa is about the love of mountains and adventure. Together with international partners they lead expeditions, guide hikes, treks and mountain trips around the world. They also provide adventure based training and assessment, and train adventure guides in Africa.

Adventure Works Africa was founded on the back of many years of outdoor leadership, responsible guiding, adventure participation and skills training. ​They have a particular interest in unique adventure projects and in developing the skills to facilitate and manage the safety and logistics of such projects. Their team building initiatives are powerful and offer lasting results.

For more about Adventure Works Africa, check out the following links:
Website - www.adventureworksafrica.co.za
Facebook - www.facebook.com/AdventureWorksAfrica/?ref=hl
Twitter - twitter.com/works_adventure
Google Plus - plus.google.com/u/0/+AdventureWorksAfrica

Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.

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Last edit: 14 Jan 2016 03:52 by intrepid.
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14 Jan 2016 09:06 #66459 by ghaznavid

intrepid wrote: The colours should not be purely the glow on the peaks or valleys.[/li]

So we can't use photos like this?


Offhand I can think of some sunset cloud/lighting photos I have taken in the Berg, but basically all my Berg sunrise photos have been the lighting on the peaks.

With a good look through my Berg photos, I can only find these ones that actually look at the sunrise or include coloured clouds - neither of which is good enough for this competition:




Anyway - good excuse to get out and take some more photos. This kind of a round does really favour the likes of ST and Getapix, can't wait to see their entries :thumbsup:

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14 Jan 2016 10:04 #66461 by andrew r
Ghaz, that last pic is good, even better (I think) if you crop it a bit:


make a difference. today.

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14 Jan 2016 10:36 #66463 by ghaznavid
Thanks Andrew :thumbsup: I am not sure this photo meets the specs though, it lacks the colours required by the definition.

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14 Jan 2016 18:57 #66483 by intrepid
Correct ghaz, your first pic doesn't qualify, and that criterion was intentional - not to make it difficult for people, but to bring focus to the theme. The glow on the mountains is reserved for a future theme, as are sunsets. While still keeping it fun for people, at the same time I think some challenge is also in order. Perhaps this will now put the bug in your ear and you will be out hunting sunrise shots, and this will hopefully let you see the Berg in a whole new light (pun intended) - which is the point with Essence of the Dragon.

Here are some sample pics of what we are after in this round. They are not impossible shots, the dragon is quite appeasing. It does require waking up early enough though! The one with the water is a view over Woodstock Dam. On a clear day its not hard to catch the sun coming up like this. The other shots require the right amount of clouds in the sky - enough to catch the glow, but not enough to block the first rays.








Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.

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15 Jan 2016 09:14 #66489 by Viking
Further to Intrepid's mention of a stronger focus on the theme, I think it goes without saying that people are encouraged to base their votes on a combination of how well the entry captures the theme and the quality of the image, rather than just on quality alone.

I would also like to see more people give a rating to all entries and not just their favourite.

“Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So… get on your way!”
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03 Feb 2016 16:29 - 03 Feb 2016 19:09 #66829 by Redshift3
Here is our top five from January 2016.

"Light on the Pipes" from Roland's Cave"



1st Light outside Didima Cave



Pipe Light - Organ Pipes



The Ships Prow in early light



Didima Cave View


“You need special shoes for hiking — and a bit of a special soul as well.”
Terri Guillemets

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Last edit: 03 Feb 2016 19:09 by Redshift3.
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07 Feb 2016 16:47 #66915 by Redshift3
Another few from our week in the Berg in January 2016.These were taken at the bottom of Ships Prow pass.




“You need special shoes for hiking — and a bit of a special soul as well.”
Terri Guillemets

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07 Feb 2016 16:57 - 07 Feb 2016 17:09 #66916 by Redshift3
Last few from our hike in January, these were on top, really early about 05H20. Spot the three tents in the second image.





“You need special shoes for hiking — and a bit of a special soul as well.”
Terri Guillemets

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Last edit: 07 Feb 2016 17:09 by Redshift3.
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08 Feb 2016 02:23 #66931 by intrepid
Some great shots Redshift3, the last 4 fit the theme well. My personal favourite would be between the first and second one of your most recent post. Please do submit one of the four as an entry.

Take nothing but litter, leave nothing but a cleaner Drakensberg.

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