Obie celebrates dry landscape
CELEBRATED photographer Obie Oberholzer, who lectured at Rhodes University, Grahamstown, for many years, has released a new book of images capturing the timeless beauty of the Karoo.
"Oberholzer turns the mundane into the extraordinary," was one reviewer's assessment of the photographer's 10th book, titled Karoo: Long Time Passing.
The emotive and at times haunting photographs show the beauty of the Karoo through the eyes of a renowned lensman who confesses that in the past he overlooked the beauty of this ancient, semi-arid region while on his way to the next destination.
"Since 1977, I have always just passed through the Karoo, never taking the time to actually look at it, hence the book's title," Oberholzer said. He now lives in Plettenberg Bay.
"Most people simply view the area as big and bare. It is exactly that which attracted me to it - the beauty is in its vastness," he said.
"Most photographers, including myself, usually focus on a particular aspect in the image. With the Karoo the challenge is photographing the space and creating an emotive picture which allows South Africans to appreciate the beauty hidden in this country."
The sheer vastness of the Karoo saw Oberholzer, now 66, travel more than 14 000km in his Isuzu bakkie over six months.
"The area is so big I had to divide it into four sections to ensure I covered it all. I had to make five trips to the Karoo in three-week to four-week sessions.
"In that time I realised the monumental area was filled with beauty in its people, traditions and landscapes which relate to all South Africans regardless of whether they are in cities or small towns. The book is evidence of this.
"What sets it apart from previous publications is that it steps back from 'incident' [capturing active moments] photography and writing, and has a more mature style exposing beauty in simplicity ... or it's just revealing my age," Oberholzer joked.
Asked why he had opted for a life of adventure rather than follow the corporate route, Oberholzer said: "Because I have a dream.
"I have always had a talent for photography and I believe in using the abilities God provided. I feel sorry for those who don't travel, because nothing is more satisfying than achieving your dreams through the freedom of travel. Beyond each horizon lies another.
"My travels brought me to the Karoo where I was humbled by the land mass. The sheer gratification I get from the journey is enough to keep me travelling and sharing my experiences with the rest of the country." 0
- Karoo: Long Time Passing is published by Jacana and retails at R500.
WEEKEND POST (Sunrise) 2013/11/09 Page: 4