The yr is nearly over and I’d like to start out this submit by wishing everybody and their households a Glad Christmas and a lovely begin of the brand new yr.
For me, this yr was about assembly individuals once more. I actually observed that individuals began to journey once more and wished to exit and {photograph}! I used to be so completely happy to see a lot of you on photograph excursions and conferences this yr, and it was so motivating to see everybody in such constructive spirits. I keep in mind telling a few of you who I met this yr how good it was to see everybody with such constructive attitudes on images journeys. So thanks once more!
For me, one of many highlights of the yr was visiting Oregon within the US. The Out of Chicago staff was form sufficient to ask me to show on the Out of Oregon convention (not 1, however 2 conferences in a row) and I had the best time. It was been some time since I had visited the US and it was not solely nice to fulfill so many good individuals attendants, but additionally so many nice photographers that I by no means get to fulfill earlier than. In between the conferences I went for a fast spherical journey to the Redwoods. What an unbelievable place! Despite the fact that quick, that was some actually epic stuff! Each the images and the corporate 🙂 can’t wait to return again!
One other spotlight was my fast go to to the Icelandic volcano, completely unplanned that simply so occurred to erupt after I had solely a 12 hour lay over from my approach to Greenland to Amsterdam. I managed to shortly drive and stroll up there and expertise nature’s uncooked magnificence. And regardless that it was fast, the push of doing all that in a brief period of time in some way made it an much more intense expertise.
And yeah, Greenland. In fact that’s all the time superb to be there. Greenland is particular. The large icebergs, the whales, the shepherd canines (and their cute puppies), the entire environment is simply distinctive. This yr I spent there an extended time frame. It was a wierd yr, with plenty of rain and fog. Not the simplest circumstances and slightly difficult. However we made the very best of it and I received a few of my favorite photographs simply due to the tough climate. When the rain and fog would carry, we might see probably the most lovely surroundings of icebergs peaking out of the fog. That is one thing distinctive that I had not seen a lot earlier than, and a few of these photographs are my favourites from Greenland ever. Thanks to Iceland Picture Excursions for sending me over to Greenland once more, and I’m trying ahead to 2023.
Earlier than Greenland I went to Kyrgyzstan, Camargue (France) and Tuscany the place I had the best occasions guiding excursions. And I managed to search out a while to spend with Bermet, who I’ve to present a particular thanks as a result of she is all the time so supportive of what I do! Particularly this yr being away from dwelling rather a lot. Oh yeah, we additionally moved home earlier this yr! And at last making some progress on it 🙂
And naturally the discharge of the brand new Sony A7RV, the place Sony requested me to star within the offi launch marketing campaign. In fact I used to be very honoured that Sony requested me. However what I discovered much more lovely, is that I’m already working with Sony for greater than 8 years, and we’re nonetheless working collectively on huge tasks on such common foundation. Thanks Sony for all the help through the years!
I additionally actually loved my time within the Netherlands this yr. Despite the fact that I wasn’t round an excessive amount of, on the occasions I used to be right here I hit probably the most lovely circumstances. We really had lovely winter circumstances, with freezing chilly temperatures simply final week and ice skating in the entire nation. Together with lovely frost that I didn’t see right here for years. However earlier this yr I additionally took some lovely photographs of frozen flowers. All in all, fairly good winter climate this yr. We even had some snow in spring which prompted for tulip photographs with snow! Very distinctive and I had by no means seen that earlier than.
Sadly we don’t have a white Christmas this yr, however slightly gray and wet. The same old you might say. Nevertheless it’s an ideal second to look again on the yr and take it gradual and spend a while with family and friends.
Merry Christmas!
Albert
These photographs are a abstract of this yr and are a few of my very own favourites. Each photograph comes with a brief description.
The Redwoods, Oregon US – October
After attempting for two days, we lastly received the circumstances and fog we have been in search of. That morning the sunshine pierced via the bushes creating some actually magic mild. This was one among my most favorite photographs. Merely taken from the trail, however the mild simply did every little thing!
Greenland – July
After a foggy afternoon, the fog slowly lifted and the icebergs peaked out of the fog making a magic environment. One in all my favorite photographs from that journey, and it wasn’t even taken from our boat!
Iceland – August
I used to be fortunate to catch the erupting volcano in Iceland this yr on my stopover from Greenland. I had lower than 12 hours. Landed at round 6PM, with the summer time sundown being round 9:30PM. Rushed to get a automobile and managed to borrow a private one from a automobile rental man (all the opposite leases have been out of automobile). Drove to the volcano, hiked up for 1.5h and began capturing at 9PM. Was again on the resort at 3 AM and needed to be on the airport at 5. What an expertise it was!
The Netherlands – December
An sudden chilly finish of the yr. No white Christmas however the week earlier than we had temperatures as little as -14c at night time. It prompted our water to freeze and we have been iceskating all around the nation. However simply when the ice was thick sufficient, the true Dutch winter began to point out itself and the temperatures went up once more. However I managed to be there one morning to {photograph} the ice skating individuals throughout this lovely dawn at Kinderdijk.
The Netherlands – April
Very chilly April nights with temperatures at night time going properly under zero. The fruit growers then spray their crops and flowers to ‘defend’ them from the frost. The water then freezes round them and creates that protecting layer. That is in order that they DON’T simply freeze and die, so it’s really a great issues 🙂
Tuscany – April
Typically the most straightforward photographs may be probably the most rewarding. That is one among them. It turned out to be one among my favorite photographs from this yr. Only a daytime shot of a tree on a hill. However don’t get me mistaken: I waited about an hour to seize this tree in several mild and totally different clouds. And in the long run, I received what I wished.
The Netherlands – January
Storm Corrie hit the coast of our nation with extraordinarily robust wind gusts. I nonetheless keep in mind driving right here to IJmuiden and nearly being hit by a site visitors mild that began to slowly fall down due to the wind gusts. It was harmful on the highway, and I used to be having a tough time simply to face there close to the ocean. However this is without doubt one of the issues I like concerning the nature: it’s uncooked energy. And with a surroundings that’s usually so calm, it out of the blue transforms it to a raging scene. Large waves hitting this tiny lighthouse to completely show its energy.
The Netherlands – October
Typically the tiniest issues can have the largest magnificence. I like to {photograph} the tiny mushrooms in autumn within the Netherlands. You’ll discover them all over the place. Its a type of leisure as properly. You don’t want a lovely sundown or dawn. You’ll be able to simply {photograph} them in the course of the day. I all the time use pure mild and go together with ‘the circulate of the sunshine’. Right here the sunshine was simply peaking via the bushes, simply hitting this tiny mushroom. It seems like a highlight. A couple of minutes later this mushroom was at nighttime sufficient. Nevertheless it was simply sufficient to seize this lovely second.
Kyrgyzstan – June
This photograph is just not a lot concerning the photograph itself however extra concerning the expertise. I took this shot on my birthday and was with a small group of individuals (in my tour) on a brilliant distant place in Kyrgyzstan, near the border of China. No web, only a small group of individuals and my associates of @go to karakol who got here with us. Sleeping in just a little tent in entrance of a lovely panorama, having a great time with associates, with tens of millions of stars above us. Couldn’t have wished for a greater birthday!
France, Camargue – Might
One in all my favorite photographs of the White horses of Camargue, primarily due to the mud and the right place of the tails of the horses pointing left and proper (see it 🙂 ?). These horses are simply unbelievable, and Camargue in France is without doubt one of the few locations the place you’ll be able to see them together with their superb guardians.
Amersfoort, the Netherlands – December
On the finish of the yr I managed to get some photographs that I’ve been dreaming of for years. Amersfoort is my city of start and town I at the moment reside in once more (after having lived in Amsterdam for just a few years). I had all the time dreamed of capturing it from the sky, above the clouds. I’ve this obsession for seeing cities above ‘the ocean of clouds’. I didn’t suppose it was potential to do with Amersfoort due to its comparatively low buildings, however in December this yr I lastly did it!
Tuscany, Italy – Might
Irrespective of what number of occasions I am going to Tuscany, I find it irresistible! The gorgeous environment, morning fog, tremendous romantic villages, meals, Italian individuals, Tuscany is all the time superb! I spent just a few weeks there this yr and managed to seize this all time basic with poppies in entrance! I used to be so fortunate with the circumstances that morning AND the right poppy flowers. It simply proves that regardless that a shot has been accomplished so many occasions, we are able to nonetheless create one thing ‘new’.
Madeira – September
For the Launch of the brand new A7RV I used to be requested to star within the promotional video by Sony. I went with Madeira for every week with a video crew and we visited a few of my favorite locations. That is one among them. This was earlier than dawn, when the alpenglow casted it is mild onto the peaks. For me, that’s all the time one among my favorite moments of the day.
Tuscany, Italy – Might
I like to discover little romantic streets, particularly when its raining! It’s often fairly empty then and the environment is simply so lovely. This is without doubt one of the streets of San Quirico, a well-known little city in Tuscany. That night it rained rather a lot and the fog got here in. It reworked this road right into a fairytale!
The Netherlands – Might
We don’t solely have tulips in spring within the Netherlands. This yr, we noticed an insane quantity of poppies. Particularly alongside some highways, you might see a whole lot of them. I discovered this little patch of poppies in entrance of a windmill and captured a windmill shot I had not accomplished earlier than: one with poppies. Tremendous completely happy to seize a brand new and unique windmill photograph!
Greenland – July
This yr I might lastly go to Greenland once more after COVID. In fact we noticed many epic icebergs, and positioned our -now famous- purple sail boats round them for the basic epic photographs. With Iceland Picture Excursions
Redwoods, Oregon US – October
One other shot from the Redwoods that’s one among my favourites. The opposite photograph has this basic lovely mild, however as soon as I went just a little bit decrease into the forest the place the ‘magic mild’ was not hitting as a lot, I discovered the extra darker scenes that I additionally like to seize. Right here, the bushes and the ferns have been enjoying cover and search with the little patches of sunshine coming via the forest.
The Netherlands – November
This yr I began a brand new ‘element’ undertaking referred to as ‘Frozen Autumn’ of leaves transitioning from autumn colors with a frozen lining. I used to be actually hypnotised by these colors starting from yellow to purple to darkish brown. This mixed with ice made for one thing so lovely. It’s like nature is continually displaying off. I simply must be there to see it, and {photograph} it.
The Netherlands – November
The tip of Autumn with the final leaves on the bushes is all the time a good time to {photograph}. Particularly whenever you mix it with a foggy day. The fog separates all of the bushes, making it less difficult to create minimalistic compositions. Right here I discovered the final leaves on this tree, surrounded by bushes that have been already empty. It’s so easy, however I find it irresistible!
The Netherlands – March
I like capturing cityscapes and I all the time like to play with mild, reflections and different parts of nature, like a full moon. On this shot I efficiently deliberate this full moon setting (on the morning of the 18th of March) on high of this row of homes, reflecting within the water under. I find it irresistible when a plan comes to collect, and this one completely labored out.
Madeira – October
A easy, however one among my favourite photographs from the Fanal forest in madeira. The fog was ‘good’ right here , and the bushes nonetheless confirmed a lot inexperienced. However on the similar time, the environment was magic. I can all the time stroll right here for hours. The environment on this forest is one thing particular.
The Netherlands – August
After lengthy travels, I like to be again within the Netherlands and wind down. Simply getting up early, photographing the morning fog with some windmills and cows. On this morning I used to be with my buddy @Ronald verwijs . We have been simply having a soothing time and this shot got here out of it. One in all my favourite windmill and Dutch photographs of the yr!
The Netherlands – December
Tremendous frosty circumstances and I awakened each morning that week to seize the winter circumstances. We don’t get these circumstances rather a lot within the Netherlands. Really, the final time I photographed one thing like this right here was years in the past. So I used to be very completely happy to seize there ‘arctic’ circumstances advert the tip of the yr!
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