Bi-cycle view‏

Reading a very inspiring post on Henri Cartier Bresson and his use of perspective and composition, I’ve come to realise more than I have ever done before that observation, timing and foremost patience is key to capture a picture that stands out from others you have taken. It has become a sort of worn out statement but it’s all about ‘the decisive moment’ (I recently came across a bumper sticker that states ‘I brake for decisive moments’ wich is quite funny though). Take this picture for example. Bicyclists and hikers were enjoying the weather and moving along the canal. I was intrigued by the pattern created by the trees aside the canal, the parallel lines of the canal itself and the moving people along the road so I decided to stop and take some pictures. Focusing on the other side of the canal I waited for an interesting composition to arise, which eventually did happen. The man in the front peeks at the other man on the other side of the canal. Both cycling and with their own direction in life.

Until

Sometimes you come across some really odd one liners or statements boldly written on walls, abandoned buildings and so on. Cycling across the fields one day, this caravan caught my attention. It looked spooky and eery to me, with a phrase written on it that really fascinated me. It states ‘Tot er een feest zal zijn‘ which, roughly translated, means something like ‘Until there will be a (nother) party‘. It sounds quite cryptical and philosophical to me and it got me thinking what the intention of the author must have been, writing this on an abandoned caravan. How does this sentence tickle your imagination?

Love & stillness

One of the many marvels of being in love is being completely in the presence of your loved one, not caring about the people or things around you. The kiss and warm embrace brings a stillness and takes you to places no other thing can do.

Time

Time. I’d guess that’s an appropriate theme for this post as it’s quite a time ago since I’ve posted a picture along a thought on this blog. Restricting myself to only using black and white pictures taken with my rangefinder camera (I shoot a lot with my iPhone as well) has resulted in not having that substantial output as I’d like to. Well, I have a mantra of ‘ less is more’ so I hope you’re still with me!

As you can see in my other posts, I like to stroll along the streets of Utrecht, Amsterdam or other cities that appeals to me. Being a kind of car nut as well, I scan the streets for cars that in some way fascinate me. I spotted this Mercedes (a W123 if you really want to know), parked across the street. I am not a Mercedes kinda guy, but the funny thing is that in my opinion these cars age very well. The delicate and classic profile of the car reveals a beauty which does not resonate with the brand as it is nowadays. Taste aside, this is probably a very debatable statement as back in the seventies and eighties, this brand was as posh and business men-like as it is nowadays….Makes me think whether this phenomenon of not appreciating things in the present time frame is a good thing or not. Anyways, I just like vintage stuff or engineering that just looks old and authentic. I own a Ducati motorcycle and although it’s only about 11 years old, it has that classic look. I love it to bits. Broad chrome handlebars, stainless steel fork and a big round headlamp. A muscular stance and with an engine that’s not hided by a big slap of plastic. The Leica rangefinder is a wonderful piece of engineering too, all frapped in a sober, minimalistic but beautiful design of black painted brass and steel. A Leica rangefinder ages very nicely as well because when used extensively, the paint will be come off, showing the brass that’s underneath. Once you’ve purchased a Leica lens, you can it use all your life because you can use it on old and future Leica’s as well. I think that sums my fascination for all that’s classic, vintage and authentic all up quite nicely, don’t you think?

Sweet

My daughter was enjoying the lollypop I had given her for her 13th birthday as she suddenly said to me: ,,you’re about to take a photograph, aren’t you dad?”. Apparently, just by the way that I looked to the scene of her enjoying the sweet taste of the hart shaped lollypop and judging the available light, was enough to let her conclude that daddy was about to take a picture AGAIN…and she was right. I just love to take pictures of her, capturing her true spirit and see her enjoying live. This picture gives expression of her sweet and joyfull character perfectly.

Amsterdam

I kind of raved about Utrecht as opposed to Amsterdam in my last post but that does not mean that I dislike Amsterdam, definitely not.  Let me explain.  Amsterdam is loved by most tourists and loved but also hated by a lot of your Dutch fellow earthlings…It happens to be that I know quite a lot of people who live in Amsterdam, so I guess I can consider myself a regular visitor. My bias is on the positive side but many are intimated by the quite rude and arrogant attitude which seems to be the norm in Amsterdam. The by-pass around Amsterdam is often referred as the fine line between everything hip & happening (Amsterdam) and rest of the Netherlands: rural and dull. Oh well, at least Amsterdam is a fine place to take pictures, like this one which is taken in the Amsterdam Central Station. This woman and the lighting got my attention, so I quickly took the picture. Too fast as I needed to crop the picture considerably afterwards. I enjoy observing  people passing by, although I know I am prone to stare at people which can be quite creepy I guess…it’s just about being fascinated about people and enjoying the seemingly ordinary things around us .

At night

I’ve always liked walking through town at night or late in the evening. The pace of life drops, but you still feel the vibrancy. This picture is taken in Utrecht, one of the main cities in The Netherlands. Less ´in your face´ than Amsterdam but surely with its own charm and boasting great restaurants, museums, shops and canals. If you decide to visit The Netherlands, paying Utrecht a visit won’t disappoint you. Furthermore, it´s centraly situated and a 30 minute drive from Schiphol, our national airport.

Non attachment

Walking towards the train station to pick up a friend of mine, I decided to take some pictures as well. I spotted this couple, they passed me in a glimpse so I felt lucky to have catched them ‘on film’. They seemed in a hurry and that made me even more curious about their story. Examing the picture afterwards confirmed my initial thought that I had when I decided to release the shutter. The thought of two people strongly tied to each other. Sure the tandem bike reinforces this thought, but also the expression on their faces. Made me think how people can be depended on each other, for the worse and the better. Sometimes you have no choice other than to depended on someone. In general however, the insight of non attachment changed my life completly. The idea of not clinging to people, relationships, possesion or anything that seem to determine your luck, is liberating and makes you appreciate the things you have at his very moment even more.

Connection

Becoming a father, at 27, I realised that a next generation was coming my way. Things come and go, as life is all about being in a flux. Just turned 40 now, my daughter will be turning 13 within a few months. Phew. What can I possibly add to all the things already said about the connection you have with your child or parent? Let this photograph tell you my feelings…and yours.

Street photography

Street photography is hot these days. Henri Cartier Bresson is obviously one of the heros in this genre and with the revival of the Leica brand, the increasing capable camera’s of smartphones and 4/3 camera’s being very in vogue, a lot of people seem to be attracted to this art now a days. I have mixed feelings with this phenomenon. With the practice itself and it’s popularity. Catching everyday moments and transform them into a piece of art can truly be a celebration of life, stressing the power of Now. But just with all things ‘underground’, it loses somewhat of its appeal when becoming mainstream. Taking a picture of someone without any permission can be inappropriate and annoying for the person confronted with your love of street photography. The picture of this man, taken in Amsterdam, represents a typical example of taking photographs on the street. Intriguing looks and personality and therefore just begging to be photographed . Shot from the hip, without his permission. In my humble opinion shot with respect. However, very debatable as well, so feel free to comment….