Japan Special

Morning commute in Tokyo. On the way to work. A black and white study.

Japan Special

Continuing to look at Black & White photography, this traditional bakery was pointed out to me while exploring Tokyo. The cookies are made of a waffle-like dough with a sweet bean filling and are very popular around here.

Japan Special

I just have the amazing opportunity to visit Japan and decided to include a study of Black and White photography on my blog. It's been on my list to do a more in depth study of Black & White photography, and to explore what subjects work, how B&W transforms the photo's message and how to translate colour into dramatic shades.

Close up

Another shot I brought home from the Vancouver Aquarium. One of my photographic experiments. The first thing that attracted me was the colour, those amazing shades blending somewhere between light green and light blue. Then of course, there is always the curiosity what it would look like as a photo if I went really close up ...

Close up

The sea otter was drifting on his back and was having what seemed a profound nap. I did not know that the sea otters do actually sleep floating on their backs. But apparently they do. Close up the scene translated into a photo between and abstract and a profile portrait.

Bumble bees

Bumble bees: this has been another little project I've given quite a bit of attention this summer. Photographing bumble bees was fun, it was exciting and very rewarding! It left me with a little collection of photos with bumble bees in flight and on flowers, I might want to continue sharing with you.

Change of season

Back in time in the park and at the spot to document the change of season marking the visual of the park. This has become a little pet project. I always thought I was well aware of the seasons but narrowing it down to the same place, same angle has focused my attention in a completely new way.

Camouflaged

The deer seemed to be aware of their advantaged camouflage and I noticed that they mainly kept  among trees and close to the shade of the trees. And then this deer calmly walked onto the street as if protected by the shade. The scene unfolded while I was photographing deer along the road and the photo was one not to be missed. And in case you wonder, the lorry driver did stop for the animal.

The Mounties

When it comes to portraits my preference is that of environmental portraits. Catching the moment of action and of involvement. I love taking photos of people who are absorbed in their activity. My visit to Canada coincided with a presentation of the Musical Ride and of course I could not resist a peek behind the scenes ...

Black & white

As I go on exploring the impact of colour and patterns to the message of the photo I had another look at what happens to that message when I convert it to black & white. I took this photo because I was drawn to the impact the dead trees had on the landscape.

From above

Looking down from the Harbour Centre Lookout Tower, this was not a photo I could miss. From above the older part of Vancouver city centre looked like a miniature replica. The angle and distance seemed to give the scene some surreal dream-like quality. The photo also contrasts nicely with my last blog post while staying with the observation of how patterns and colours define a space.

Nature's colours

Amazed by the colours and texture of the moss, I wanted to catch the seemingly abundance of the humid forest. I've never been in a forest so covered in moss and it reminded me of photos I had seen in books as a child. Looking at forests up close I find they become as individual and defined by their landscape as many the many cities I have photographed.

Landscape

What caught my attention in this landscape was the human influence on the landscape. A contrast which I noticed I often try to avoid in my photos as I feel drawn to nature and its wonders. This picture in contrast has been marked by the presence of the boats.

Light and time

This photo was taken at the same spot as the last one on a different day just as the sun disappeared behind the hills. Being able to go back to the same spot and study the impact the sun light has on the scenery is fascinating me. It's like a set stage with the sun as it's main actor. Every photo is completely different, yet it is the same scene in different moments of time. The photo was taken on Bowen Island, Canada.

Light reflections

What I was after were the light reflections in the water, a theme that's fascinated me before. But the image seemed incomplete without the sun. So I dared challenge the camera and took the photo with the sun straight ahead of me. The photo was taken on Bowen Island, Canada, on an early evening as the sun started to go down.

Painting with the camera

Pushing the border between art and photography I like to experiment and play with the camera. In this photo, using abstraction allowed me to have a different approach to an established theme.

Light and colour

Animal photography with a different purpose. In this scene the attraction were the colours and reflections. To me the scene looked more like a painting than real life. The picture, like the last, was taken at Whipsnade Zoo.

Animal photography

Animal photography is a theme I have not been giving to much attention on my blog yet, though I love animals and have always loved taking photos of them. To me taking photos of animals is a way of being close to them and to study them. This photo of Asian elephants was taken in Whipsnade Zoo and it was one of my first ever elephant baby photos.

This second photo I added because it gives a better idea of the size of the little fellow and shows what gentle loving parents elephants make. It is hard to believe that these amazing creatures are threatened by extinction in the wild and are hunted down in their thousands in Africa.

Skills training

Feeling quite inspired by the success of my capture of a bumblebee, I wanted to know if the photo had been a lucky shot or if I am able to produce similar photos in a different context. So off I went, this time not to try my luck but my skills.

Change of season

Back in the park at 'my spot' to document how the month are defining the park environment and culture. It seemed like it had been a while, in the meantime the festival had come and gone. Yet, the festival is a man-made influence and I wanted to focus on the natural seasons.

Catching butterflies

It's been a lovely sunny weekend and guess what I got up to? Catching butterflies. Inspired by the buzzing in the meadows, butterflies were not an easy catch. It seems that these little creatures are very sensitive to noticing attention, as soon as I focused the camera they were off again.

Colour and light

Playing with colours. This is a very different location. The shot was taken in Burano, Italy, on a sunny afternoon. This is a photo I would say 'takes itself' and in this looses the individual signature of the photographer, or doesn't it? What it does tell you is that I love working with strong colours and natural light.

Summer light

Shot on a late evening in Uppsala, Sweden, I was attracted by the strong colours and clear reflections the summer evening sun created as it slowly set on the horizon. It is a light I have seen in Swedish landscapes and I was curious to see how much of it I could recreate.

Light and movement

Dance photography for me is all about the moment when light, movement and expression come together and create a new piece of art. There were little light beams in the venue and I waited until the dancing couple moved into the light lost in the music. That was the moment for me when the 'new', the picture, came to life.

Black and white

To me this image seemed to lend itself to a black and white conversion and, I thought, it contrasts well with my two previous posts.

Of men and structures

This is the other shot that inspired my thoughts about Heathrow airport and temples or palaces. I was not quite sure which of the two photo brings my idea across better, so I thought I show you both.

Of men and structures

Heathrow Airport Terminal 5. The structure dwarfs men. As I took the picture I had to think of the many monument temples and palaces, the pyramids, all structures created to show Man's significance and in doing so reverses the process making us appear small and insignificant.

Summer heat

With temperatures soaring to up to 30 C in London, all I can think of, is that I wish I could just pop down to the beach …

Urban idyll

In summer the canal transforms into a poetic idyll and it is hard to imagine that this is still part of London and that taking some steps to your right you are back on the streets, near the shops and in the middle of an urban neighbourhood.

Change of season

Back in the park, what stands out, apart from the trees' foliage growing strongly, is the change of usage. With the festival season all kinds of human presence is moving into the park and where we saw a shy green emerging in Spring we now find cars, tents and fences marking the urban presence.