Many people came out of the recent pandemic with success stories; Cape Town-based photographer Ryno Botha is no different.
With a passion for the ocean and waves, his photography journey began with long periods stuck at home. As a graphic designer, Ryno’s always had an eye for what looks good. While he previously had only explored photography as an artistic outlet, it quickly became a viable business venture and a fulfilling side job.
“Amid the financial pressures brought about by the pandemic, I found myself in need of a second source of income. With nothing more than my cellphone, I began snapping photos.”
Ryno started selling his photographs online using platforms such as Shutterstock and Adobe Stock. Soon realising this wasn’t enough, he was determined to improve. He invested in a top-of-the-line Nikon D850 DSLR camera and began to teach himself the essential skills necessary to capture his preferred style of images. Eventually, he launched his own website, selling his photos as ready-to-hang prints.
Ryno describes his photography as an attempt to capture the inherent beauty of nature, with a particular focus on landscape photography. He draws inspiration from the unique and meaningful moments he encounters while taking photographs and seeks to create a distinctive style that is all his own.
He’s especially drawn to locations that offer breathtaking views of Table Mountain, which he describes as a magical and inspiring sight.
Despite his successful journey so far, there are some challenges. He uses a high-megapixel camera to capture every detail in his images, often requiring multiple shots and merging them in post-processing. When there is movement in each photo, he often spends a lot of time taking many unusable photos.
However, his dedication to getting the perfect image has gotten him into some interesting situations.
“One morning in Camps Bay, I captured some seascape photos while perched on a large rock. As I indulged in a two-hour photography session with long exposure images, I suddenly realised that the tide had crept in rapidly, leaving me stranded on the rock and unable to climb down without swimming. Therefore, I had to wait for a staggering eight hours on the rock for the low tide to return so that I could safely and dryly get down.”
Ambitious for the future, Ryno’s passion for photography continues to grow. He dreams of photographing the stunning landscapes of Seychelles.
When asked what he would say to young and up-and-coming photographers, he advises them to keep practising, even if it’s just for fun.
“Practice makes perfect. Keep shooting as much as possible. The more you practise, the better you will become. Also, Critique your own work. Be honest about what’s working and what’s not in your photos. This will help you improve and grow as a photographer.”
Ryno’s journey into photography is an inspiring example of what can be achieved through dedication and a willingness to learn. His unique style and passion for capturing the beauty of nature have led him to create stunning images enjoyed by many.
We can’t wait to see what he will achieve next.
You can see all his work at rynobotha.com, and be sure to follow him on Instagram @rynobothaphotography and Facebook.
