Linda Louw

Photographer / Based in kaapsehoop

My childhood days where filled with creative activities including drawing, colouring, lego constructions, inventing stories in my imaginary world and playing the piano. Although I dreamt of following a creative career, I completed an... read on
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About

My childhood days where filled with creative activities including drawing, colouring, lego constructions, inventing stories in my imaginary world and playing the piano. Although I dreamt of following a creative career, I completed an honors degree in the mathematical sciences.  

In 1992 I bought my first camera when a friend decided to sell his and began to experiment with different subjects. During the course of 1997 while living abroad, I one day asked a friend on the project who used to be a professional photographer to explain to me the concepts of aperture, exposure and f-stop. This conversation re-ignited his passion for photography and he laid the foundation of my knowledge and love for the subject, as not only is he a talented photographer but also a very gifted teacher. From the start I was drawn to black and white images and learning the basics of darkroom development simply enhanced the whole experience. For the next five years i spend a lot of my free time in the darkroom creating monochrome handprints and also joined the local camera club. I took black and white wedding photographs for close friends and continued to experiment with the abstract, with pattern, shape and texture. 

A little more than a decade later feeling frustrated in my scientific environment, I took the plunge and made a total career change and stepped into the creative world by studying grahic design. While freelancing as graphic designer, taking photos was often a component part of the project. During this time i moved to a life surrounded by horses and began to capture these amazing creatures. I also returned focus to observing and studying the texture and lines that shape my milieu. 

I discovered the world of fine art photography which resonated with my soul and my painterly approach to photography. My point of departure is rather that of inspiration and expression of emotion and ideas than representing or documenting things as they are. 

I have exchanged my traditional darkroom for a modern digital one (using Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop); my creative process usually evolves over time while exploring colour, cropping, contrast, light, line and shape to communicate beauty, mood, emotion and story. My goal is to create impact, to inspire, to challenge. We live in a world full of beauty and awe, we only need to look and see, and then to appreciate and preserve the wonders around us and behold the glory of the Creator of it all.