Instax Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Living Our Sunshine with Susann Deysel

June 26, 2017 2 Mins Read

Zanzibar: Fathima on the beach #INSTAX

Some stories from a trip need to be told separately. I didn’t walk around with all my cameras all the time, but when I did there were some amazing opportunities.

I was walking on the beach with my FujiFilm (this camera has been to Europe, Egypt, Thailand, Mozambique and the Maldives) and Instax Mini when I saw Fathima picking up sea grass at around 6pm (low tide). She was etched against the sky and sea in her colourful garb and I asked if I could take a photo of her and in return I would give her a photo like the Instax photo I was holding.

Fathima held onto the instant Instax photo and smiled as she started appearing in the frame. Her smile widened and she said “this photo she will show to her baby one day and tell him/her about the day she had it taken”. By the time I took the digital photo of her holding her photo she was smiling from ear to ear.

I am glad I took my Instax to the beach so I could give her a special photograph for her baby.

I saw Fathima the last morning we were in Zanzibar. She was harvesting sea grass again and when she spotted me she waved and yelled, “Hello Susann, it is me Fathima”. I waved back and took a picture of Fathima etched against the sun.

I know what you think…

In Zanzibar the people do not have that much and I didn’t see many smartphones. This woman by chance stumbled on someone that just happened to have an Instax and could give her a photo on the spot.

May 2, 2017 1 Min Read

A love story and a chapel #INSTAX

Memories Chapel is situated on the Memories Corner property in Midrand, corner Whisken & New Road. It is a small chapel with a big story.

The couple who owns the property loves everything antique and has an antiques shop too. They decided to build the chapel and bought reclaimed wood for the exterior, found church pews, a pulpit and more beautiful treasures that may have ended up on a landfill.

The chapel can be hired for small weddings and baptisms.

At Memories Corner the chapel isn’t the only attraction…

This is the antiques shop. It is filled to the roof with treasures for you to find!

You can find from a restaurant, coffee shop and a photography studio here.

… and there is even a costume hire and ballet shop. Just talk to the owner and find out where she danced internationally!

February 13, 2017 1 Min Read

INSTAX Door Project Update

I don’t know what I’m enjoying more – taking photos with the Instax Mini 8 or taking photos of the Instax photos. Finding the doors also makes me happy and seeing the smiles on people’s faces when they see the photos is just such a nice feeling.

When I first started thinking about doing the project I had a vague memory of my parents’ old Instamatic camera – and a few photos from my childhood. Then I got the Instax Mini 8 and it just gelled. The camera attracts attention and I get to take unique photos.

First there was the mosque in Midrand…

Then there was a wonderful pink door at Sherbet Angel Spa.

This was followed by 2 doors from Limpopo – Big Baobab Pub door and green door from the Pioneer House.

…and this was followed by the door of the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria.

I think I have finally mastered the Instax Mini 8 camera 🙂

I am going into Joburg city soon to capture some of the historic doors that make up this vibrant city. It is going to be epic!

February 6, 2017 3 Mins Read

Explore the Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria #INSTAX

I will never be the person that says my BAE or it is AF something or ON FLEEK. Those aren’t real words – and I like my words. I do however like to use words like WANDERLUST and Lekker. (Now those words are mos lekker, jy weet.)

Back to this wanderlust thing…

Pretoria is just over the river past a few hills, but actually going there requires a shift in driving habits, remembering to speak Die Taal in shops and restaurants and relaxing (we Joburgers are different, we are always switched on).

Pretoria has 2 of my favourite architectural beauties, the Union Buildings and Voortrekker Monument. If you give me a day and a camera I will come home with hundreds of photos of these two places.

Just the other day we popped over the border to the Voortrekker Monument (again) and it took away my breath (again). No matter how many times I see this marvellous building, I get goose bumps. Its sheer massive presence dwarfs everything I have seen anywhere else in the world. It is such a strong building that tells a story so passionately and beautifully.

In the belly of the building massive arch stained windows illuminate the stories on the walls. Stories of a people that left for the unknown in search of a future that helped build the ZAR and saw a president as loved and respected as Paul Kruger.

Then there is the cenotaph that only on 16 December gets hit by the sun… all it says is “ONS VIR JOU SUID-AFRIKA”. A simple promise made by simple people and still observed by many.

The views from the top of the building is spectacular, you can even see the Union Buildings. However – don’t forget to take a photo of the arches.

There is a secret view that you would want to see – if you can stomach heights. Prepare to climb the last stairs to above the dome. You will have the most spectacular view of the cenotaph way down below.

The Voortrekker Monument humbles you. It feels like a place where you can sit and quietly drink in the many stories on the wall. It is a place where you realise just how small you are.

December 8, 2016 1 Min Read

One PINK door at a time with #Instax

There are certain things that will always be true about me, I love cats and I love pink. So when I stumble across a door that is the exact pink of my toes (and my favourite colour) I do a little happy dance and bring out the cameras.

This pink door is at Sherbet Angel, a beauty spa, in Parkhurst (Johannesburg).

This little spa in this old Johannesburg neighbourhood is a little gem filled with everything nice, pink and sparkly with angel wings on top.

November 20, 2016 2 Mins Read

Exploring Gauteng: Nzamiye Mosque, Midrand #INSTAX

We don’t often stop at the beautiful place between us and our destinations, but when we do – magic happens.

Last week I started my “Doors of… Project” with 3 cameras in tow, my trusty Fujifilm digital camera that I have dragged all over the world, my iPhone 6 and my brand new Instax Mini sponsored by Fujifilm. Taking photos with digital cameras are super easy – if you don’t like a photo or it is out of focus you just take another one. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 8 was a whole different story…

To see all Instax photos just vist this Instagram link #INSTAXgoddess.

Nzamiye Mosque, Midrand

First on my itinerary was this new mosque built in Midrand. Its pointy towers pierces the skies from a large piece of land next to the Old Johannesburg Road. The Nzimayi complex consists of the mosque, school, restaurant and more and its sheer size is impressive.

I phoned ahead to make sure that I would be allowed to take photos in the mosque complex – and it’s a good thing I did. During my visit I was asked 4 times if I had permission to take photos. As soon as I reassured them that I had permission , they were all very happy for me to drag my cameras around. As per usual with mosques I had to cover up from ankle to wrists and wear a headscarf when entering the mosque.

The mosque courtyard is surrounded by white arches that gives you glimpses of doors surrounded by blue flowery mosaics.

Standing inside the mosque you will feel dwarfed by this impressive space. It has a high ceiling with many windows – and down below students that are learning and worshipers. The opulence feels new, not yet lived in but beautiful.

…and this is what it is all about, the doors.

Do you want to visit?

If like me you like to take photos you have to phone ahead. You can also organise a guided tour. Entrance is free. Read more about the mosque on their website, click here.