Photography Text & Image: Rina Smit
Digital images are at work in today’s modern world. Every image you see in a newspaper or Magazine will have been through a digital process. Photography itself has become so advanced by new digital technology, but at the end of the day the talents of the individuals never fail to amaze us and leave the beholder in awe... Now is the time for young and old to capture God’s beautiful creation.
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T heunis Minn
Text: R obert Mitchell & Images: Theunis Minnie.
l a ie - A Sense of Nost
heunis Minnie is a photographer living in the Western Cape, Mossel Bay. The objective of his photography is to capture images which are typically South African and which create a sense of nostalgia. The subjects range from Karoo landscapes to old transportation means. He loves to make use of sepia tone as it compliments the subject and enhances the sense of nostalgia. All his images are printed on premium grade art canvas with a satin finished coating which is flexible to avoid cracking when the canvas is stretched. He loves the texture, which is provided to the images by this printing medium. He recently exhibited at the Innibos and Aardklop Art Festivals. We speak to this photographer who loves to capture scenes reminiscent of a bygone era‌
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Please tell us about yourself, your background. I studied in the field of logistics and purchasing and started a career in logistics at a large automotive manufacturing company. I tried to spend as much time as possible taking photographs, even if it meant taking more leave than I had available. My wife and I decided to change our lifestyle and moved to a small town. We sold our house in Port Elizabeth and moved to Oudtshoorn, where I worked for a local newspaper before moving to Mossel Bay. When did you decide to become a photographer?
The first photograph that I took of a doorway was in Graaff Reinet. Everything about that photograph was absolutely perfect. It was a moment perfectly captured. Do you have any formal training regarding photography? I am a self-taught photographer through trial and error and reading about photography. Photography started as a creative outlet for me. I often tell people
to get to know their cameras so that they can get the results that they want. I do understand the need for formal training and I will never discourage anyone from doing formal training. Photography, like any other occupation, requires continuous learning and development. There is always room for improvement and I always appreciate advice from fellow photographers. e8 ssu
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Photography has given me experiences, which I will never forget and introduced me to amazing people,
Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW?
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What does photography mean to you?
which I probably would not have met, if not through photography. But most importantly, I get to capture scenes that were carefully prepared by a loving Creator.
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Photography has been a passion of mine since a young age. I recall ordering SATOUR booklets as a child so that I could look at the photographs. I remember dreaming about becoming a photographer. The door only opened after other doors closed for me. That may be the reason why doors are one of my favourite subjects to photograph.
How technical is your photography? I am not technically inclined. The focus of my photography is emotional. I try to create a mood through compositions and the subjects that I photograph. I don’t see photography as a science. If a photograph could be measured in terms of right or wrong, I probably would not have loved photography. Where is your favourite place to live and work as a photographer in the world and why? Mossel Bay is a wonderful place to do just about anything. I love living here. I have taken my best photographs in the Karoo, which is relatively close to Mossel Bay. I do have a wish list of places that I would love to photograph, though. Define the word "beauty"! Beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. It is incredibly difficult to define. Beauty can be found anywhere if you look carefully. There are times however, those special moments, when I look at the beauty of God’s creation in awe. In those moments I put away my equipment and just sit back and enjoy the beauty and thank God for creating it and allowing me to experience it. What is your most favourite and least favourite word in photography or life? How do they make you feel? My most favourite word in life is dream. Without dreams we are nothing. A dream can be the difference between hope and utter despair. The word dream makes me feel that anything is possible. My least favourite word would have to be apathy. How does your personality change when you look through the camera lens? My photography is an extension of my personality. I feel completely at home when I look through the camera lens. So one could actually say what you see is who I am. Who/what are your influences?
A lot of the photographs I have taken to date have been of the Karoo so I would have to say that is one of my influences. Specifically the solace that one experience there. Simplicity also moves me, I have had people remark on the simplicity of my photographs but this is simplicity with a purpose. A simple image devoid of clutter with a strong subject evokes a strong emotional feeling in me. I feel that photography was meant to capture moments, to trigger memories when we view photographs. That is exactly what I try to achieve through my photography. What is your favourite image, either your own or someone else's or both? Describe its creation or meaning to you? My favourite image is one that I took of a farm gate that is half open with a dirt road running towards a windmill. I had this picture in my mind and when I discovered the scene, I got goose bumps because I knew exactly how the photo was going to look and it was exactly what I was hoping for. Describe a day in your personal or professional life. Mostly my days are pretty routine. I have a small picture framing business in Mossel Bay that I operate myself. My wife and I also have an almost two year old that keeps us busy. I regularly go on short photographic expeditions. During these expeditions I usually work closely with local people who assist me in finding suitable material to photograph. People like Piet Gouws in Laignsburg and Clive and Nell Kingwill in Victoria West have helped me tremendously. What are the biggest personal or professional challenges you face on a daily basis? Restrictions. I think this is the biggest challenge that artists are faced with on a daily basis. What are your favourite subjects to photograph? I love photographing landscapes. I also cannot resist abstract subjects such as a door or window with character. Tell your funniest, scariest, most bizarre, most touching story from a photo shoot! The first ever wedding that I shot was probably the funniest and most bizarre experience that I ever had as a photographer. Imagine everything that could possibly go wrong in a wedding. My scariest experience was photographing a rhino for a game lodge in the Eastern Cape. I had to get out of the vehicle to get a shot with
the rhino in the foreground and the vehicle with the branding in the background. During my short stint as a photographer with a local newspaper in Oudtshoorn, I experienced some very touching moments. That opened my eyes to the work that journalistic photographers do. What types of assignments are you attracted to mostly? Assignments where I feel I can express my creativity. Besides landscapes I have also had the opportunity to photograph Motorsport that I thoroughly enjoys. Describe what sepia tone photography means to you? Sepia tone enhances the sense of nostalgia that I try to create through my photography. It also leaves something to the imagination of the viewer. The viewer can add colour in his/her own mind. Do you think of yourself as an artist and what do you think of the word artist? Yes, I do think of myself as an artist. The word artist is loaded. It means a lot of different things to different people. I see the world around me in a certain way. Through my photographs I introduce others to the world as I see it. How do you describe your photographic style? Photojournalistic / Simplistic. I try to capture moments as they occur. I want my photographs to tell stories. What has been the most surprising or most predictable reaction to your photographs? I am often surprised by people’s comments on my photography, especially children. The most surprising reaction however is when people become emotional about photographs. Somebody has recently written the most beautiful poem after looking at a photograph of mine. I was truly touched by this gesture. Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven't already? R ay M
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Namibia and Namibia! I just know that I will enjoy it and I envy all people who have had the opportunity.
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What would you have done differently during your photography career so far and could this be an advice to others?
Where can the public obtain your photographs or get in touch with bookings / assignments etc.
If I could do it all over again, I would have started earlier.
My work can be seen at www.theunisminnie.co.za. Upcoming exhibitions are also on the website. I also have a permanent exhibition at Elcota, Industry Road, Voorbaai, Mossel Bay.
How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it? The line between photography and graphic design has become somewhat blurred. I am a photographer. I utilize editing programs to do what would have been done in a dark room ten years ago. I do not add or remove anything to or from a photograph. One of my photographs has a communication tower that is visible in the background. People have asked why I don’t remove it. I took this photograph in 2009. Communication towers were part of the landscape in 2009.
There is a coffee shop and I am always keen to have a cup of coffee with visitors. Alternatively please send an email to: info@theunisminnie.co.za or contact me on my cell: +27 82 493 0854
What other thoughts would you like to share? The secret to taking great photographs is slowing down. People are often in such a hurry to get where they are going that they don’t appreciate the beauty of their journey. Tell us about the photographic equipment you use? My first SLR was Canon. When I made the shift from 35mm to digital, it made sense to stick with Canon. People are usually surprised when I tell them that I use a Canon 300D and 350D. Both are entry-level consumer models and both are outdated. When spending money on photography, it is usually a toss up between new equipment and a photographic expedition. Somehow the expeditions always win. Who in this industry’s work do you admire and why? The wonderful thing about photography is that every photographer has a unique style. Ten photographers can photograph the same subject and you could easily end up with ten unique photographs that will all blow you away. It is therefore difficult to mention one photographer. I do however have great admiration for Derek McKenzie. Derek’s dedication is inspiring. He once told me that he would camp at a windmill for days to wait for ideal conditions before photographing it. RM
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