Chocolate, sex and SCUBA Diving

It’s got nothing of course to do with architectural photography but it seemed like a good portal to use my (old) Blog to get my latest SCUBA diving text out into the world and spread around amongst other SCUBA Instructors.

If you’re attracted here simply by the lure of chocolate and sex then good for you, feel free to download the document and learn how they all fit together poetically in the world of SCUBA diving. If you don’t SCUBA dive then the only question really is why not…!? You’ll never feel more alive than when you’re floating around effortlessly blowing bubbles under the sea and rumour has it, I’ve heard, that a good SCUBA Instructor can help you go deeper for longer…

If you’re a SCUBA diver, or a SCUBA diving Instructor then I trust the overview of the latest thoughts around Acute Decompression Illness & decompression theory, and how to help make your SCUBA diving safer, will provide for an enjoyable and enlightening read. It’s not for the feint-hearted but I have every confidence that you will persevere and make me proud in getting through it all. I’ve sat alone at my desk for days without food or water reading through 800-page medical books to bring you this so it’s the least you owe me…!?

Chocolate, sex and SCUBA diving… what more do you need to lure you to download my text, put the kettle on for a nice big mug of tea, and put your feet up on the couch for a good read…?

If you don’t dive… why not get down to your local dive school and sign up for a life-changing event that’s second to none!? Make new friends, get out into the great outdoors and start a lifetime of adventure and joy around the underwater world…

If you are a diver… I’ll see you on the beach and underwater…

Download the PDF document here (5mb): Chocolate Sex and SCUBA Diving

 

Architecture

January 4, 2018

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A Guide to Commissioning Architectural Photography

It’s been a long while since I’ve been active on this Blog but I have been busy travelling and shooting across the Middle East and building an exciting new architectural business. In any event here is a handy Guide to Commissioning High Impact Architectural Photography that you might find valuable…

It is said that ‘Architects don’t advertise, they get published’… we can help you get your projects in front of over 1,140+ architectural-specific magazines worldwide… call us to find out how…

Download the PDF brochure here (1.4 MB): A Guide to Architectural Photography (LR)

 

Architecture, Fine Art, For Photographers, Published work

Architectural Photography Guide, dennis guichard, PIA, Pretoria Institute for Architecture

March 14, 2015

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Yas Viceroy Hotel

In celebration of yet another successful Etihad Airways Formula 1 weekend on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi some photographs of the incredible Yas Viceroy Hotel. I was very fortunate to be there when it was originally being built in 2008 and I am very fortunate to have been back to stay in it and to photograph it professionally many times since. It’s a spectacular destination and one of my own favourite places to visit and photograph.

Architecture, Published work, United Arab Emirates

Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi architectural photographer, Abu Dhabi architecture, Aldar Properties, Etihad Airways Formula 1 Grand Prix, Yas Island, Yas Island architecture, Yas Marina, Yas Viceroy Hotel

November 5, 2013

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WINNER: KwaZulu Natal Institute for Architecture

I’m very excited and pleased to hear that the Unilever ‘Indosa’ warehouse I shot previously for Elphick Proome Architects has just won a 2013 Award for Architecture from the KwaZulu Natal Institute for Architecture in South Africa.

This project is without doubt one of the most spectacular warehouse architectural designs I have seen anywhere in the world – the architecture is innovative, it’s bold, and it sets a benchmark for industrial architecture that will be sure to elevate the standard we expect from architects everywhere. Students will be studying this project at university, architects will be trying to emulate the creative concepts and clients will be excited at what is actually possible with their own future schemes.

Well done Elphick Proome Architects in adding yet another award to your long list of accomplishments and for continuing to set the industry standard for spectacular architecture in South Africa.

 

Architecture, KwaZulu Natal, Published work

AURECON, Durban architectural photographer, Elphick Proome Architects, Indosa factory, industrial architecture, KwaZulu Natal Institute for Architecture, KZNIA, Stefanutti Stocks Building, Unilever 'Indosa, Unilever factory

November 4, 2013

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Digest of South African Architecture

The Digest of South African Architecture, endorsed by the South African Institute of Architects, is a hefty high-quality manual published annually as a showcase and celebration of the best architectural projects that were completed in the previous year.

The 2012 Digest showcases 70 of the best architectural projects in South Africa across a range of categories and I’m rather excited that four of the projects I photographed last year are showcased in the publication. On top of that the ‘Gottlieb Group Distribution Warehouse‘ which I photographed (by Elphick Proome Architects) received an official Commendation by the SAIA, the ‘Mbombela Stadium’ (R&L Architects) which I photographed for FIFA received an Award of Merit and the ‘Investec Regional Head Office’ (by Elphick Proome Architects) also received an Award of Excellence.

The four projects which were extensively showcased in the Digest included the ‘Unilever Indosa Factory‘ in Durban by Elphick Proome Architects, the ‘Ballito Lifestyle Centre Extension‘ by Evolution Architects, the ‘COP 17 Climate Smart Cape Town Pavilion‘ by ST&AR Architects, and the ‘New Jerusalem Children’s Home‘ by 4D and A Architects.

It’s very exciting and rewarding to be involved with so many of South Africa’s leading architectural designers and to have these projects showcased in such a prestigious industry publication.

Architecture, Published work

4D+A Architects, Ballito Lifestyle Centre, COP 17 Climate Smart Cape Town Pavilion, Digest of South African Architecture, Elphick Proome Architects, Evolution Architects, Gottlieb Group Distribution Warehouse, Investec Regional Head Office, New Jerusalem Children's Home, R&L Architects, SAIA, South African Architecture, South African Institute of Architects, ST&AR Architects, Unilever Indosa Factory

October 30, 2013

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Unilever ‘Indosa’ Warehouse

As showcased in the Digest of South African Architecture 2012…

Architect: Elphick Proome Architects, Westville, KwaZulu Natal

Structural Engineer: Sutherland

Mechanical Engineer: RCE Consulting Engineers

Wet Services: AURECON

Environmental: Guy Nichols

Quantity Surveyor: Mbatha, Walters & Simpson

Contractor: Stefanutti Stocks Building

Branding & Marketing: The Hardy Boys

Fire Engineers: WSP

Photography: Dennis Guichard

Architecture, Published work

AURECON, Digest of South African Architecture, Elphick Proome Architects, Guy Nichols, Mbatha, RCE Consulting Engineers, South African Architecture, Stefanutti Stocks Building, The Hardy Boys, Unilever 'Indosa' Warehouse, Walters & Simpson, WSP

October 30, 2013

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New Jerusalem Children’s Home

As showcased in the Digest of South African Architecture 2012…

Architect: 4D&A Architects, Johannesburg, South Africa

Structural Engineer: Gerrard Consulting

Contractor: IDC Construction

Photography: Dennis Guichard

Architecture, Published work

4D+A Architects, Digest of South African Architecture, Gerrard Consulting, IDC Construction, New Jerusalem Children's Home, South African Architecture

October 30, 2013

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COP17 Climate Smart Cape Town Pavilion

As showcased in the Digest of South African Architecture 2012…

Architect: ST&AR Architects, Cape Town, in conjunction with ‘Touching the Earth Lightly’

Structural Engineer: Stephen Lamb, Martin & Associates

Contractor/Project Manager: Touching the Earth Lightly

Alternative Energy Specialists: MLT Drives

Photography: Dennis Guichard

Architecture, Published work

Digest of South African Architecture, Martin & Associates, MLT Drives, ST&AR Architects, Stephen Lamb, Touching the Earth Lightly

October 30, 2013

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Ballito Lifestyle Centre Extension

As showcased in the Digest of South African Architecture 2012…

Architect: Evolution Architects, Westville, KwaZulu Natal

Structural Engineer: Hatch GOBA

Mechanical Engineer: AURECON

Quantity Surveyor: Schoombie Hartmann

Contractor: Construction ID

Landscape Architect: Uys & White

Facade Engineers: Ness Consulting Engineers

Photography: Dennis Guichard

Architecture, Published work

AURECON, Construction ID, Evolution Architects, Hatch GOBA, Ness Consulting Engineers, Schoombie Hartmann, South African Architecture, Uys & White

October 30, 2013

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Khalifa International Stadium

Below a compilation of images from a larger more extensive portfolio I shot recently of the spectacular Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar. This stadium is one of the host venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. It has a current seating capacity of 66,00 seats although the venue is due to receive a major upgrade prior to the tournament taking place here.

The stadium was originally built in 1976 but recently received a massive upgrade with practical completion achieved in early 2005. ARUP (the world’s best engineers) were of course involved with the structural design and development of the project and Cox Richardson Architects & Planners were tasked to develop the scheme for the complete stadium expansion, including seating extension, foundations, roof, and private box for the Crown Prince of Qatar.

It’s a wonderful example of exciting modern architecture and engineering and a pleasing portent of the standard of creative design that is being developed here as the country explodes towards 2022…

Architecture, For Photographers, Qatar

ARUP Australia, ARUP Qatar, ARUP Sydney, Cox Richardson Architects, Cox Richardson Architects & Planners, Doha, Durban architectural photographer, FIFA World Cup, Khalifa International Stadium, Qatar, Qatar architectural photographer, SACAP architectural photographer, spectacular Khalifa International Stadium

October 23, 2013

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Kitchen Classics

This week I had the opportunity to grab some images from the refreshing new Kitchen Classics factory and showroom in the Mount Edgecombe business park whilst the sun was out in Durban – we’ve got rain set in for the next week here so it was a good opportunity to get out and shoot a portfolio of architectural projects for Kevin Lloyd architect whilst the weather was good.

The showroom and factory itself is simply spectacular – nice clean lines, simple architecture and open airy spaces. Two massive timber screens on the front facade provide solar shading and reduce the air-conditioning requirements on the interior space. Internally there is a spectacular use of off-shutter concrete, an exposed concrete ceiling and a polished concrete floor offset with polished stainless steel staircase balustrading and the most beautiful array of kitchen units you have ever seen in your life.

Kitchen Classics fabricate bespoke kitchen units for residential properties supplying most of the new kitchens for properties across Mt Edgecombe, Zimbali and other exclusive residential estates. The kitchen units on display in their showroom are jaw-droppingly beautiful – I think this is the kind of utopia where you choose your kitchen and then design your house around that rather than the other way around…

If you’re looking for a new kitchen be sure to pop in here and investigate the goods on display. If you’re not looking for a new kitchen be sure to pop in anyway and just be blown away by what could be possible…

Architecture, City of Durban, KwaZulu Natal

Durban architectural photographer, Kevin Lloyd Architect, Kitchen Classics, Mt Edgecombe business park, SACAP architectural photographer

October 18, 2013

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World’s Best New Skyscraper 2012

The ‘world’s best new skyscraper 2012’ prize has been awarded to a pair of buildings colloquially known as “Marilyn Monroe“. The curvy, twisting buildings, officially known as Absolute World Towers, located in Ontario, Canada, were designed by Beijing-based MAD architects and Toronto-based Burka Architects. “The way the two structures twist organically by up to eight degrees per floor is not just a superb technical achievement, but also a refreshing change to the set forms of high-rise routine,” said an international panel of expert judges when explaining their decision.

The world’s second best new skyscraper award went to the Al Bahr Towers in Abu Dhabi, UAE, designed by Aedas Architects. Ironically I was a part of the team that actually bid for the construction contract on this project when I was still living and working in Abu Dhabi myself for Aldar Laing O’Rourke, so it’s a building structure I’m very familiar with having extensively analysed the construction technologies it required (we didn’t win the bid of course and the contract ultimately went to  Al-Futtaim Carillion).

The award for the world’s third best new skyscraper went to the Burj Qatar (also known as the Doha Tower), a 238-meter skyscraper designed by architect Ateliers Jean Nouvel. I have photographed this building extensively as a part of the stock library of images I compiled for the Qatar Financial Centre Authority recently.

Now whilst I can’t get everywhere in the world to photograph every building that’s going to win a prestigious international award I can share some of these wonderful images of the Doha Tower with you… :-D

Read more HERE

Architecture, Qatar, United Arab Emirates

Absolute World Towers, Aedas Architects, Al Bahr Towers, Al-Futtaim Carillion, Ateliers Jean Nouvel, Burj Qatar, Burka Architects, Doha Tower, international architectural photographer, MAD architects, Marilyn Monroe, Qatar Financial Centre Authority, world's best new skyscraper 2012

September 19, 2013

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Failure

“You might never fail on the scale I did, but some failure in life is inevitable. It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default.

Failure gave me an inner security that I had never attained by passing examinations. Failure taught me things about myself that I could have learned no other way. I discovered that I had a strong will, and more discipline than I had suspected; I also found out that I had friends whose value was truly above rubies.

The knowledge that you have emerged wiser and stronger from setbacks means that you are, ever after, secure in your ability to survive. You will never truly know yourself, or the strength of your relationships, until both have been tested by adversity. Such knowledge is a true gift, for all that it is painfully won, and it has been worth more to me than any qualification I ever earned.

Given a time machine or a Time Turner, I would tell my 21-year-old self that personal happiness lies in knowing that life is not a check-list of acquisition or achievement. Your qualifications, your CV, are not your life, though you will meet many people of my age and older who confuse the two. Life is difficult, and complicated, and beyond anyone’s total control, and the humility to know that will enable you to survive its vicissitudes. “

An extract from a commencement speech given by author JK Rowling at Harvard in 2008 – http://www.ted.com/talks/jk_rowling_the_fringe_benefits_of_failure.html

Architecture

September 5, 2013

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Moses gets wet

Moses Mabhida Stadium in the rain…

The weather reports are predicting rain for all of next week here in Durban, so make sure you get out and capitalise on the opportunity this provides for shooting sensational high-impact images with a difference.

Get your brolly out, put your camera on a tripod and shoot long-exposure captures (30 seconds or so) at dusk and into the dark of night. It’s rewarding and you always get the most sensational shots. 

City of Durban, FIFA World Cup 2010, KwaZulu Natal

Durban architectural photographer, FIFA World Cup photographer, Moses Mabhida Stadium

September 4, 2013

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The Shard

I was in London recently shooting some images on the Qatari-owned ‘The Shard’ for my Qatar image stock collection; the weather was a typical cold grey-sky winters day which is just perfect for grabbing collections of images with white skies that prove very attractive for editorial use as the capture below demonstrates. This particular image appeared as a double-page spread in ‘Funds Global’ magazine, one of Europe’s leading financial publications with a full-page rate of £5,000!

London is of course FULL of wonderful structures to photograph, you could spend a lifetime immersed in the city, and ‘The Shard’ is certainly another exciting addition to its skyline. London is currently embarking on an ambitious growth strategy, under eccentric Mayor Boris Johnson’s leadership, of allowing skyscrapers to creep up all over the place – the latest being the controversial ‘Cheese Grater’ as it has become known…

Along with the ‘Erotic Gherkin’ and the ‘Cheese Grater’ the British certainly have a tremendous sense of humour which I enjoy; at least ‘The Shard’ seems to have managed to retain some level of dignity, for now…?

Architecture, City of London

City of London, Funds Global magazine, London architectural photographer, London skyscrapers, Qatari-owned London property, the Cheese Grater, the Erotic Gherkin, The Shard

August 10, 2013

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