“Bezieling vanuit de lens” (Inspired through the lens) is my mantra in the field. Daily life is hectic and often mind numbing; most of my days are spent behind the computer, my daily work as consultant sometimes feels the same every day, or in my car waiting in the traffic jams. I start living when I get out into nature and when I can become one with the environment I so enjoy capturing in my camera. Whether the sun shines or it freezes several degrees below zero, whether it is an abandoned field or building, the colours, scents and the general atmosphere recharge me with new energy. The beautiful colours which the sun can cast on the structures of the Earth show me where mankind can find its origin: at the roots of our planet!
As a landscape photographer I have built an intimate relationship with the environment around me. I depend on the landscape and the weather above to make beautiful images. But I can also mentally and emotionally charge myself to the landscape around me. For this you have to learn and dare to open yourself to the landscape and all its elements. The forgotten teaching of nature religions, cast in a modern jacket, is an important guideline for me, an important path.
Having and developing that intimate relationship with the landscape around me creates a game of giving and receiving. I receive energy and connection from my environment and give back love, energy and knowledge. This knowledge expresses itself primarily in passionately expressing the importance of the landscape for us, humans. I do this with my landscape images, during my workshops and in my daily life.
Born and raised in the southern part of the Dutch province of Limburg, for a large part of my youth I was raied with photography in my environment. I started with photography as an avid aircraft spotter at the local airfield while enjoying taking snapshots during holidays, but since 2008 I started photographing landscapes, and later abandoned buildings, and learning to enjoy the wondrous world around me. Inspired by several contemporary nature photographers like Joe Cornish, Peter Watson, Ross Hoddinott and Johan van der Wielen I took a steep learning curve to acumulate my knowledge to capture the landscapes and light around me the way I wanted. Only great light will evolve a normal photo into a great photo and this light I relentlessly hunt, to capture that enlightenment through my lens.
It is this vision which I try to spread during my workshops. Of course your camera technique and composition rules are important, but these are only tools to achive your goal: enjoying the outdoor and creating enlightened images which can bring joy to the photographer and the viewers.
I’m a proud member of Nature First: The Alliance for Responsible Nature Photography and I’m dedicated to following the Nature First Principles:
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Prioritize the well-being of nature over photography.
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Educate yourself about the places you photograph.
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Reflect on the possible impact of your actions.
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Use discretion if sharing locations.
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Know and follow rules and regulations.
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Always follow Leave No Trace principles and strive to leave places better than you found them.
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Actively promote and educate others about these principles
So join me in my quest to find enlightenment through the lens, together with me or alone, inspired by me, to find and develop this intimate relation with the landscape around you!
I hope to meet you on this Green Path!
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