Hello en welcome...!
I have always been very visually oriented, and have been taking images and shooting video since I was young. The North-East of The Netherlands, with its extremely flat landscape, has a very open character, allowing wide views with extensive skies. The sparse and usually small forests have become more favorite over the last years, enjoying the changing seasons, colors, and light interacting differently each day with the trees.
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This English page shows my most recent work. Clicking on an image will start a slideshow - use the arrow keys to scroll through the images.
: : F I R S T L I G H T : :
Tràigh Rosamol, Harris (Scotland), March 2025
A visit to Scotland has been on my wish list for a couple of years... The almost untouched nature with rugged mountains, lakes ('lochs') and its remoteness appeal to me and my photographic heart. So when after a long search I found a workshop that included both a remote island (Harris & Lewis) as well as the famous Highlands, I made my choice. Ten days of photographing, together with a group of fellow enthousiasts and accompanied by two wonderful professionals. Ten intense days, but what an adventure... the landscape did not disappoint and even surprised me in many ways. Snow on the mountain tops, beautiful lochs, beaches, rocky coastlines, a turquoise ocean, rainbows... I will definitely return for more of this beautiful part of the world.
The first morning was spent on this famous beach near the Luskentyre Estuary - to find myself here, after having seen many photos of this place, was truly special.
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Traigh Rosamol, Harris (Scotland), March 2025
This beach, where the ocean waves come in right at you, is so unique due to its combination with dunes (behind) and a mountainous backdrop on the horizon (the Harris Hills). On a good day you might think you're on a tropical island, with turquoise colored water - but at this day it was too cold and wet... Another day perhaps?
: : C H A N G E A B L E : :
Traigh Rosamol, Harris (Scotland), March 2025
A perfect example of the changeable weather you can expect here. After a rainshower the sky opened up a bit and a rainbow appeared - for just a couple of seconds - above the island of Taransay.
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South Harris (Scotland), March 2025
One of the techniques I learned to use better on this workshop was ICM (Intentional Camera Movement) - moving the camera on purpose during (long) exposure. Usually the movements are horizontal or vertical, but I decided to try something different and zoomed out instead. I quite like the effect and atmosphere it creates!
: : G N E I S S : :
South Harris (Scotland), March 2025
The rocks found on Harris & Lewis are a mix of incredibly old (up to 3 billion years!) and more recent geological formations. Gneiss is prevalent - a characteristic type of rock that consists of quartz, feldspar and mica, with fascinating colors. This image was taken on the first evening of the worskhop, looking out towards Taransay, with the sound of the ocean waves as background 'music' - quite mesmerizing...
: : G O W I T H T H E F L O W : :
South Harris (Scotland), March 2025
The already marvelous landscapes on these islands is enhanced by another phenomenon: the tides. They are responsible for dramatic changes in coastal sceneries like this. We're looking towards Luskentyre here, standing in a tidal channel that guides the water back into the estuary.
: : D A L M O R E : :
Dalmore Beach, Lewis (Scotland), March 2025
Like so many beaches on these islands, Dalmore Beach is rather small - but still spectacular when there's big ocean waves, tidal channels, eroded rocks, and seastacks.
: : W A V E A F T E R W A V E : :
Dalmore Beach, Lewis (Scotland), March 2025
I feel that using my telelens in this scene really captures the energy of the waves.
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Dalmore Beach, Lewis (Scotland), March 2025
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Dalmore Beach, Lewis (Scotland), March 2025
Witnessing this scene one wonders how the forces of nature shaped these crooked rocks...
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Callanish, Lewis (Scotland), March 2025
Not as famous as Stonehenge, but this group of standing stones laid out in the form of a cross with a central circle, is even older and are thought to have been erected about 5000 years ago. For at least two millenia the site was used for rituals, but the exact meaning and purpose remains a bit of a mystery. An astronomical connection is quite likely. One of the stories trying to explain it all includes the fact that the Moon passes low over the hills behind the stones every 18,6 years, thus 'dancing' between them like a heavenly creature visiting Earth. Imagine the feeling of knowing this and being able to predict such an event - it would fill you with a sense of security and authority when looking to the skies, wouldn't it?
: : I N F I N I T Y : :
South Harris (Scotland), March 2025
Day three begins with a return to his coastal scene (see 'Gneiss'). In the distance, the ocean seems to blend into the cloudy sky, while the colorful rocks in the foreground are dotted with all kinds of lichen and interspersed with small reflecting pools. I really like the combination of the moody blues and the pinks/browns here.
: : M A R R A M G R A S S : :
Luskentyre (Scotland), March 2025
This afternoon we ventured into the dunes, walking North towards Tràigh Rosamol. I start up high on the dune ridge, but find that going a bit down gives a better perspective. Still it's not that easy to find a good balance between fore-, middle- and background, and to find a good composition in the marram grasses. I am reasonably happy with this photo, but feel there's better ones to be had...
: : S U N , S E A A N D B E A C H : :
Scarista beach (South Harris, Scotland), March 2025
This almost looks like a tropical island beach, but the cold and strong wind on this morning would make you realize that is far from the truth... but it does present beautiful photogenic scenes. Here the longer shutter speed (a few seconds) helps to create a somewhat dreamy look.
: : H U S H I N I S H ( 1 ) : :
Hushinish (North Harris, Scotland), March 2025
After a long drive we arrive at this tiny settlement near another fantastic beach, surrounded by rocky bits. We're treated with a colorful afternoon and early evening. Standing on this beach the view is towards the South East, in the direction of South Harris.
: : H U S H I N I S H ( 2 ) : :
Hushinish (North Harris, Scotland), March 2025
The rhythm of incoming and outgoing waves at a beach is a very calming experience - something a photo hardly can capture. Yet on this late afternoon I'm getting more comfortable taking long-exposure photos. Still the outcome is somewhat unpredictable, so I'm taking lots of pictures to be able to select the best ones later.
: : E V E N I N G C O L O R S : :
Aird an Tolmachain (North Harris, Scotland), March 2025
Travelling back to our hotel I already can see it: this will be a spectacular evening sky. Luckily we make a short stop to capture it with our cameras. A worthy ending of day four!
: : L O O K I N G D O W N : :
Near Nisabost (South Harris, Scotland), March 2025
Day five starts back 'on the rocks' - The vistas are once again breathtaking (see below), but my eye is caught first by looking down into this crevice with incredible colors and patterns... a sort of intimate landscape shot.
: : L O N E L Y : :
Near Nisabost (South Harris, Scotland), March 2025
There is a sense of loneliness on these islands - vast landscapes with only a few houses around (can you spot them?). The view here is towards the uninhabited peninsula of Ceapabhal; beyond that it's just ocean.
: : S N O W ! : :
Near Nisabost (South Harris, Scotland), March 2025
Turning around from the previous view I notice what I had been hoping for: snow on the mountains! Although it's just a tiny dusting on the highest peaks of the Harris Hills in the distance, it does look stunning. Nisabost beach is well visible here and bathing in sunlight for a moment. And if you look closer, our group of photographers is enjoying the views from a different perspective.
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C O N T A C T F O R M
Provide your name and email address below, and I will let you know when I post new photos.
Suggestions or questions are welcome as well !
Provide your name and email address below, and I will let you know when I post new photos.
Suggestions or questions are welcome as well !
Dankjewel !