Cherished memories of the port of Rotterdam, a city filled with vibrance and resilience.
In this installment in this series, I’m going back to the year 2011. This year I had to travel to the Netherlands several times due to family members passing away. While this happens to all of us at certain times, it’s never pleasant and these trips are etched in my memory. At the same time, there are also great memories from these trips. I spent time with my favorite aunt, as well as some good outings with much of the family.
As I was sauntering by the water with my aunt, I captured this photo…
Port of Rotterdam
The port of Rotterdam is a significant part of the city’s industry and pride. It has long been the most important port for getting goods up and down the Rhine river. Getting this shot was a bit tricky due to the low light conditions, so I placed my camera on a mooring post for stabilization. This enabled me to get both a reasonable exposure and depth of field.
Rotterdam will always be my home city, as this is where I grew up. It provides me with lots of great memories, whether school times or museums. More than anything this is a vibrant city, always alive with an energy that connects to its motto: Sterker door Strijd (Stronger through Effort).
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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Erasmusbrug en Kop van Zuid, mooi
Dank je, Chris. Ik vind de haven altijd prachtig om te zien en ervaren.
Ik ben een fan van Amsterdam, maar ging om toen ik de nieuwe architectuur rond de Maas zag.