A passion for photographing lighthouses coupled with a strong desire to interact, engage and inspire younger generations struggling with depression and addiction has led professional photographer Steven Greaves to visualise an adventure of a lifetime that would take him up along the west coast of the country, through Namibia and Botswana and into Mozambique, then down the east coast of South Africa back to Cape Town.
At 61 years old, Greaves said the time was right and the one-year-long journey will culminate in a book, a film documentary series but, most importantly, a positive impact will be left behind as part of the legacy he hopes will remain.
Greaves has for the last 20 years lived in Somerset West and is a well-known photographer, who frequently focuses on fine-art photography.
He also provides commercial photography services, mentorship classes and has an avid interest in photographing lighthouses and windmills, capturing the essence of the landmarks from unique angles and using lighting and shadows to his advantage. Greaves is so well known in this respect he’s earned the nickname “Stevie Lighthouse”.
“A couple of years ago I just thought to myself, I wonder what it would be like to photograph every lighthouse along the South African coastline,” he said. “I eventually found out there are approximately 52 lighthouses in the country. The idea just became more doable the more I researched it.
“I fell in love with the idea and thought I could perhaps photograph one lighthouse a week, which meant it would take me a year to complete the journey. I then started to research the project more seriously.”
Since then Greaves has come to several realisations, including that he would prefer to embark on the journey solo, compile a book along the way as well as a video diary that would document every leg of the adventure, and perhaps include yet another passion of his – helping youth and others deal with depression and addiction.
“I was speaking to a friend who expressed that engaging and interacting with youth and giving them hope for the future would just elevate the journey into a more meaningful expedition.”
He added he planned to interact with parents as well, and visit schools, community centres, town halls and just about anywhere he was welcome along his chosen route.
“The journey has therefore morphed into something I am incredibly passionate about and a cause that is really close to my heart. My friend suggested I call it ‘Shed the light tour’, and my hope is that the success of this trip will lead to the establishment of the Stevie Lighthouse Foundation, through which funds can be distributed to worthy rehabilitation centres and institutions.”
He has already mapped out his route, which includes visits to Namibia and a leg “through the heart of Africa” in Botswana and close to the border of Zimbabwe, where he will visit Victoria Falls, before heading to Mozambique and to Maputo, then follow the east coast of South Africa until he reaches Cape Town.
“I’m in the process of raising funds for this journey. I am also open to collaborations and sponsorship, and I welcome companies to contact me. I’ve done the homework and the research, and although it sounds ambitious I would like to start the journey on 1 July or the soonest possible time afterwards,” said Greaves.
He said that he visualises the adventure to be very exciting and very challenging, but that fear was not a factor.
“I’ll take the precautions I need to take, I think my biggest concerns if maybe the loneliness or breaking down in the middle of nowhere,” he said.
I’m at a place in my life where I’ve got the time, I don’t have commitments that are tying me down. The time is now. Please get in touch and help me make this dream a reality,” he urged.
- Contact Greaves at 083 333 8742 or email steve@studio7photography.co.za. You can also visit https://www.backabuddy.co.za/steven-greaves-5550306556912088019.
