Thursday night, my wife and I went to visit Tower Hill Botanic Garden to see their current exhibit ‘Winter Reimagined’. The Botanic Garden is always among our favorite places to visit, as it affords wonderful strolling along the many paths among the trees or through the systematic garden. Winter is typically an indoor season for Tower Hill, as lush trees and plants grow in the conservatories, where the climate is in the subtropical range.
However, this Winter visit, we spent our time mostly outdoors.
Beautifully lit trees and paths
The trees and paths have been decorated expertly by the staff to present night vistas that are a feast for the eyes. A variety of colors play together to create interest from just about any angle.
Roasting marshmallows
The courtyard provided an opportunity for families to roast some marshmallows over a fire tended by staff; this little touch of atmosphere amidst the conservatories definitely adds a lovely seasonal feeling, that harkened of times past (where’s Dickens?).
Systematic garden lights
The systematic garden is a veritable festival of lights, as they are everywhere to fill the senses to the brim!
It was a wonderful experience on a brisk night that left us invigorated and ready for a bit of hearty supper!
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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Dutch goes the Photo! 
Cool 😀
Beautiful!☺