This witels tree doesn't seem to have a clue what it should be doing. Surely every tree in every forest is programmed to grow vertically upwards as quickly as possible, to catch as much of the sunlight as possible? Why does this species think so differently?

This particular tree is growing within a few metres of Kom Se Pad in the Gouna forest. Unfortunately its proximity to the road was its downfall. Although these branches weren't encroaching on the road in any way, someone from SANParks (with their infinite wisdom) decided to take a chainsaw to this tree and remove its most prominent features. Shame on them!

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So after many years of editing my photos with Photoshop 2017 in Windows 7, I've finally upgraded to the latest (leading edge) technology.

I don't want to brag with all my new specs, but damn... I wish I'd done this (more than) a few years ago... I'm loving this experience.

One of the first things that I noticed was how crap most of my photos look on my new monitor. Much too much contrast and saturation.

I'm currently re-editing all the photos for my next Magical Knysna Forest book, so the more accurate everything is, the better. :)

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Here's another old photo that I've never edited or shared before. I can't imagine why?

This was captured on one of the most magical mornings that I've ever spent in this forest, so at this stage it's a strong contender for inclusion in my next book.

#MoreMagicalKnysnaForests ;)

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This is a re-edit of a 5-image panorama of the Jubilee Creek waterfall... which I captured way back in October 2018.

I've learned a lot about landscape photography since I first captured, stitched, edited, and then shared this panorama.

Here are the three most important lessons that I've learned about taking photos in the Knysna forest since then...

1. All modern cameras are able to accurately capture the relative luminosity between the brightest and darkest parts of any scene.
2. All modern cameras are hopeless at capturing the entire dynamic range of most (if not all) forest scenes, especially on bright sunny days.
3. All modern cameras are absolutely useless at accurately capturing colour. Auto White-Balance seldom produces better results in this forest.

I've also learned some new stuff about the "Physics of Light" in the past few months, while preparing for my presentation to the Cape Photographers Congress in Calitzdorp on the 1st of May.

If you'll be attending this congress, then here are 3 reasons why you might want to come and listen to my talk...

1. I will be sharing the most valuable lesson that I've ever learned about editing my landscape photos (don't kink your slinky).
2. I will also share all the reasons why I never shoot with a GND, Polarizer, or any other glass filters over my lens (no surprises there).
3. I will take you out to dinner (restaurant of your choice) if you can honestly say that you didn't learn anything new from my presentation.

Have a lekker (Easter) weekend everyone!

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Here's a photo of a small section of the boardwalk leading us through the wettest part of the "Circles in a Forest" trail.

This is also one of the only portions of this trail where you'll find any tree-ferns, so it's well worth stopping here to take a photo or two.

But walkers beware... this boardwalk is extremely slippery when wet! :)

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