BIO Neels Beyers APSSA (vers) EPSSA (mille) EFIAP /s

About Me

I started photography in about 1983 when I was at High School. I developed my films and had a darkroom (not Lightroom ! ) with an enlarger in the garage of our house. I financed my photography by selling prints to fellow students at school and varsity.

Honours received

AFIAP 2015
APSSA(Colour Slides) 2004
APSSA (Colour Prints) 2004
APSSA (Digital) 2009
APSSA(Vers) 2009
EFIAP 2017
EFIAP/b 2021
EFIAP/s 2022
EPSSA 2015
EPSSA(Mille) 2020

Club Membership

Worcester Fotografieklub – I was resident in Worcester and the chairman of the club till 1976 when TV infiltrated South Africa and TV closed down the club. I see the club is operating again.
Cape Town Photographic Society – I have been a member of CTPS for more than 30 years. I am an Honorary Life member. Just more than 20 years ago I was the organiser of the monthly competitions and operated the slide projector for the colour slides. One night after the show I informed the club that I wanted to show them something new. I took out my laptop and showed images on the screen with my digital projector. That was a first ! At the time digital cameras were slowly replacing film cameras.
Tafelberg Fotografieklub – 20 years ago when I was the PSSA Director for the Western Cape I was approached by Jan Swiegers to set up a new club. The constitution I drew up was replaced in 2024 by a new one. I am still a member of the club and an “Ere Lewenslid”.
Tygerberg Photographic Society – When resident in Cape Town I joined the club about 30 years ago. The club used to meet in the Bellville Library but later at other venues. I am still a member.
Helderberg Photographic Society – I cannot remember when I joined the club. It might have been about 1990. I remember that we used to meet in the Somerset West Municipal Public Library.

Photographic Likes

These days I concentrate on landscape photography. I have been to Namibia on about ten tours with friends. Several times I visited Aussenkehr, Fish River Canyon, Wustenquell, Guanikontes, Ameib, Kolmanskop, Bogenfels, Pomona, Sandwich Harbour, Sossusvlei, Twyfelfontein. Erindi and Etosha. I have been right up north to the Epupa Falls.

Namib dune with grass

From my hundreds (thousands ? ) of photos of dunes I select this one as my best..

9 Million bicycles in Beijing

About 20 years ago on top of the hit parade was the song – 9 Million bicycles in Beijing. About 20 years ago I was in Beijing to shoot this photo. In two International Salons it was awarded Ribbons. (A Ribbon is a higher award than a Certificate of Merit). At the monthly club competition it was awarded 18 out of 30 ! Not 28 ! After 20 years I rate it 20.

Quiver trees at sunset

The farm near Keetmanshoop in Namibia has also been visited by me on several occasions to photograph the Quiver trees and the Giant’s Playground. You may have to go more than once to get the right light.