What's (in) the Picture?

Chris Breebaart Photography – finding stories

France 1998: Swan

A black and white image of a swan taking off from the water with its wings partially spread.
A black and white photograph of a swan gracefully flapping its wings on the surface of a serene water body, creating ripples around it.
A swan taking flight from the water, captured in black and white, creating a dramatic contrast with rippling water and leaves.
France, Saint-Hippolytus-du-Fort – August 1998

LAPC #417 is ‘Memories’. In a way freezing images of moments in time is creating and storing a memory. In the analogue time of film the notion of shooting a great set of photos was the first step in a process. The next step was printing it in the darkroom. That was manual labor. And some photos are just not easy to bring out. A big step towards the digital time of now. Software now is amazing, and allows me to create what I could not achieve with my not adequate dark room skills.

So this is a memory of a moment I did not feel too well being harshly told off by a French garage owner to piss off and not bother him trying to shoot photos at his workshop. As part of a course assignment in a workshop.

I walked to the bridge and this swan came down, landing in the river. Majestic. A gift.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.


Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version.

France 1998: Fountain Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort

A black and white image of a fountain spraying water upwards against a blurred background.
Close-up view of rippling water in a dark setting, reflecting light and surrounded by leaves, captured in black and white.
A monochrome photo of a fountain with water streaming upwards, creating splashes and ripples on the surface of the pool below.
France, Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort – July 1998

A night at the town square of Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort. The fountain in the light of the streetlights.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.


Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version.

France 1998: Pétanque St. Hippolyte du Fort

Two young men playing a game in a dimly lit park at night, one preparing to throw while the other watches.
A black and white photograph of a park scene at dusk, featuring four people playing a game, possibly pétanque. One person stands near a building while three others are positioned in the background, engaged in the game. The ground is scattered with leaves, and trees are visible surrounding the area.
Black and white nighttime street scene featuring parked cars, streetlights, and trees lining a sidewalk. Two figures are seen walking in the foreground.
France, Saint-Hippolyte- du-Fort – August 1998

A night at the town square of Saint-Hippolyte-du-Fort. On the edge a game of pétanque is in play.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.


Shot with Nikon F90 on Kodak TriX, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version.

Autumn: Grass

Close-up of branches and foliage with a blurred background, featuring soft lighting and warm tones.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2026

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2026

September was a warm month, but also the last moment everything was still green. Autumn is definitely arrived now.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version

Still Green

Close-up view of vibrant green leaves illuminated by sunlight, showcasing the lush foliage of a plant.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2026

September was a warm month, but also the last moment everything was still green. Autumn is here now, but nice to see a photo of a green Magnolia basking in the sun.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version

Rome 1997: Trevi Fountain

A busy street scene in front of the Trevi Fountain in Rome, featuring a crowd of tourists and a white taxi in the foreground. The image is in black and white.
Italy, Rome – September 1997

The Trevi Fountain – in Rome. Nowadays one has to pay an entrance fee to see it, trying to mitigate the amount of visitors. The myth is that you throw a coin over your right shoulder in the fountain, and you wish to come back. That worked for me three times already. Albeit long ago. LAPC #416 is ‘where does this lead?’. Mass tourism in big cities is a problem for the locals.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1997: Scooter Alley

Narrow cobblestone street in a historical city, with weathered buildings on either side and two scooters parked along the curb. A person walks down the street, illuminated by sunlight.
Italy, Rome – September 1997

What is Rome without scooters? LAPC #416 is ‘where does this lead?’.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1997: Villa Borghese

Black and white image of a round fountain sculpture in a rippling pool, surrounded by trees with a distant view of a dome structure.
Italy, Rome – September 1997

Rome is build on seven hills, but some hills are not counted in that list. One of the non listed hills is the Pincian Hill, that – like all of them – offers beautiful views over the eternal city. On top of the hill is Villa Borghese and a garden of statues.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1997: View from Pincian Hill 3

A couple stands near a vintage scooter, overlooking a panoramic view of a city skyline with domed buildings and trees in the foreground.

Italy, Rome – September 1997

Rome is build on seven hills, but some hills are not counted in that list. One of the non listed hills is the Pincian Hill, that – like all of them – offers beautiful views over the eternal city.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1997: View from Pincian Hill 2

A couple gazes at a scenic view of a city with domed buildings and lush greenery in the foreground, framed by palm and other foliage.

Italy, Rome – September 1997

Rome is build on seven hills, but some hills are not counted in that list. One of the non listed hills is the Pincian Hill, that – like all of them – offers beautiful views over the eternal city.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1997: View From Pincian Hill

Black and white panoramic view of urban rooftops with distant church towers and trees in the foreground.

Italy, Rome – September 1997

Rome is build on seven hills, but some hills are not counted in that list. One of the non listed hills is the Pincian Hill, that – like all of them – offers beautiful views over the eternal city.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1997: Street Life

Italy, Rome – September 1997

The Via dei Condotti in Rome. 

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Greece 1992: Kato Gouves Crete

A black and white landscape photograph showing a mountain with two domes at the top, a power pole in the foreground, and a small town in the distance set against a rugged terrain.
Greece, Crete Kato Gouves – August 1992

In 1992 the beaches at Gouves were much more open, and the village was rather small. Now it is all modern and built to the brim. A view from a hotel room long ago.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Greece 1992: Chania Crete Side Street

A black and white photograph of a narrow staircase in a quaint alley, featuring stone steps and potted plants, with signs for a hotel and a cafe visible.
Greece, Crete Chania – August 1992

A side street in the old part of Chania in the west of Crete.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Greece 1992: Chania Crete

Scenic waterfront view featuring a red scooter parked by the edge of a harbor, with colorful buildings and cafes lining the opposite shore under a clear blue sky.
Greece, Crete Chania – August 1992

The old harbour of Chania in the west of Crete.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Shot with Olympus Mju on Fuji Color, scanned from film and edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Turkey 1988: Cappadocia Göreme Valley 2

An aerial view of rugged, rocky terrain featuring large boulders and sparse vegetation.

Turkey, Göreme Valley – September 1988

The Göreme Historical National Park in Cappadocia is a mesmerizing part of Turkey. Erosion and geological layers build a tapestry of shapes and colors. That combined with a beautiful history of cultural human existence it is an experience you never forget. 

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Fuji 200, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Turkey 1988: Cappadocia Göreme Valley 1


Turkey, Göreme Valley – September 1988

The Göreme Historical National Park in Cappadocia is a mesmerizing part of Turkey. Erosion and geological layers build a tapestry of shapes and colors. That combined with a beautiful history of cultural human existence it is an experience you never forget.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Fuji 200, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Turkey 1986: Kayseri

A group of people gathered around a tractor near a pile of cut firewood in an outdoor setting.
Turkey, Kayseri – September 1988

Early morning market in Kayseri, central Turkey.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Fuji 200, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version., the light falls over a group, if I remember correctly, German tourists listening to a guide.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Fuji 200, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Turkey 1986: Galata Bridge

Panoramic view of a city skyline at dusk, featuring domed buildings and minarets along the water, with a soft, hazy atmosphere.
Turkey, Istanbul – September 1988

The Galata Bridge in Istanbul at sundown, taken from the Bosporus.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Fuji 200, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version., the light falls over a group, if I remember correctly, German tourists listening to a guide.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Fuji 200, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Turkey 1988: Hagia Sophia

Group of people gathered under a chandelier in a large, illuminated room with rays of light streaming down.
Turkey, Istanbul – September 1988

The Hagia Sofia in Istanbul, the light falls over a group, if I remember correctly, German tourists listening to a guide.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Fuji 200, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Paris 1989: The Back of Centre Pompidou

Black and white photograph of a busy urban street with multiple buses and cars, featuring a large industrial building with prominent pipes and scaffolding in the background.
France, Paris – January 1989

When the Centre Pompidou opened, the Parisians nicknamed it ‘the refinery’. It is a unique construction. But quite hard to maintain given all the angles and open spaces. The art collection inside is nice to walk around when in Paris. Always a place to visit again, when there.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Paris 1989: Musée d’Orsay

A group of children engaged in drawing activities in a public space, sitting on the floor with sketchbooks and pencils, focused on their art.
France, Paris – January 1989

The Musée d’Orsay. One of my favourite museums. Not only for its architecture, but also for their collection of impressionist paintings. Here school kids, drawing in front of them.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Paris 1989: Notre Dame as Background

Black and white image of the Seine River in Paris, featuring Notre-Dame Cathedral in the background, a pedestrian walking along the riverbank, and a group of people gathered near the water.
France, Paris – January 1989

The Notre Dame in Paris before the fire. A view from the quay toward the Île de la Cité. From a walk along the river, the third I took at almoste the same point. The previous ones I published yesterday and the day before yesterday, showing bridge arches.


About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Paris 1989: Notre Dame and Seine

A view from under a bridge, showcasing a stone walkway by the river, with people walking in the distance and a boat on the water. The Notre-Dame Cathedral is visible in the background.

France, Paris – January 1989

The Notre Dame in Paris before the fire. The bridge arch offers a template on a sunny Winter morning. The first shot in a set of shots of three. The second I published yesterday.


About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Paris 1989: View on Notre Dame and Seine

Black and white photograph of the Notre-Dame Cathedral viewed through an archway, with pedestrians walking along the riverbank and boats moored nearby.
France, Paris – January 1989

The Notre Dame in Paris before the fire. The bridge arch offers a template on a sunny Winter morning. Earlier published but a bit adjusted. This is the second shot in a set of three. The first one will be on tomorrow, the third the day after.


About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1993: Spanish Steps

A black and white photograph of a busy public staircase in a city, with people sitting, standing, and walking amidst greenery and historic architecture.
Italy, Rome – March 1993

The Spanish Steps in Rome. Nowadays people are not allowed to sit on the steps, but back then you could. Another one from the archives for Lens Artist’s Photo Challenge 414 looking back at challenge 44: Harmony.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1993: Cigarette Lady

Black and white photograph of a woman in sunglasses smoking a cigarette, surrounded by people in casual clothing. The background features a textured wall.
Italy, Rome – March 1993

One from the archives, 32 years ago. A street photo of a smoking sunglass wearing young woman in front of the Trevi Fountain  in Rome. 

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1993: Dry Trevi Fountain

A black and white image of the Trevi Fountain in Rome, showcasing intricate sculptures and figures, with a crowd of people gathered in front.
Italy, Rome – March 1993

Lens Artist’s Photo Challenge 414 looks back at challenge 44: Harmony. One from the archives, 32 years ago. The Trevi Fountain – without water – in Rome. 

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rome 1993 – Fountain Piazza d’Aracoeli

A black and white photograph of a fountain with water spraying from the top, featuring decorative sculptures on the tiered design.
Italy, Rome – March 1993

Lens Artist’s Photo Challenge 414 looks back at challenge 44: Harmony. One from the archives, 32 years ago. The fountain at the Piazza d’Aracoeli, at the bottom of the stairs to the Piazza di Campidoglio, Capitol Hill in Rome.

About the B4 retouch series:
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. Some of them are partly retouched but most do have scratches, dust and stains.

Originally shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX, scanned from negative and tweaked using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Orange Crush

Sunset with vibrant orange and yellow hues, silhouetted trees, and a chimney in the foreground.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2026

Lens Artist’s Photo Challenge 414 looks back at challenge 44: Harmony. A silent image of a peaceful sunset.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Rose Duo

Close-up of a pink rose with soft petals against a blurred dark background.
Close-up of a pink and peach rose in full bloom, against a soft green background.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2026

I can’t choose. I like them both. Same rose in two frames.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Water Lines

A serene view of a river bordered by trees, reflecting the cloudy sky overhead with soft blue and white hues.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2026

The days before I published photos that I took at the same time as this one. This overview gives you an idea how the previous photos came about, and show you the canal in a different way, to give an idea of the canal, its size and its environment.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

A Long Shot

A black and white photograph of a river with a small boat navigating towards a bridge, surrounded by trees and buildings under a cloudy sky.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2026

A slightly different shot than yesterday. With a bit more of the atmosphere of the canal itself.

The Netherlands has its fair share of water (canals, lakes, ponds) and a fair share of bridges and even aquaducts. LAPC #413 is ‘bridges’. The two overlapping bridges (behind the front one is a motorway bridge) are not my favourites as the brief of LAPC asks for. They are the most practical in daily life to cross the canal. In the Archive bridges you find more photos of bridges. Most of them are from ordinary daily life close to home. But two of my favourites are the Millennium Bridge in London and the Pont de Normandie in Normandy.

Black and white photograph of a modern cable-stayed bridge with tall pylons and dramatic clouds in the background.
A modern suspension bridge with a tall, slender tower, set against a backdrop of dramatic clouds.
A busy pedestrian bridge with people walking towards the camera, under a cloudy sky with city buildings in the background.
A view of the Millennium Bridge in front of St. Paul's Cathedral, featuring a cloudy sky and city skyline in the background.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Masked Bridge

A black and white image of a river with a small boat navigating through it, under a bridge. The scene includes trees and buildings in the background, reflecting on the water's surface.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2026

The Netherlands has its fair share of water (canals, lakes, ponds) and a fair share of bridges and even aquaducts. LAPC #413 is ‘bridges’. The two overlapping bridges (behind the front one is a motorway bridge) are not my favourites as the brief of LAPC asks for. They are the most practical in daily life to cross the canal. In the Archive bridges you find more photos of bridges. Most of them are from ordinary daily life close to home. But two of my favourites are the Millennium Bridge in London and the Pont de Normandie in Normandy.



Black and white photograph of a modern cable-stayed bridge with tall pylons and dramatic clouds in the background.
A modern suspension bridge with a tall, slender tower, set against a backdrop of dramatic clouds.
A busy pedestrian bridge with people walking towards the camera, under a cloudy sky with city buildings in the background.
A view of the Millennium Bridge in front of St. Paul's Cathedral, featuring a cloudy sky and city skyline in the background.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Framed Wedding

A couple in formal attire stands close together in a courtyard, framed by a doorway. The woman is wearing a flowing white gown, while the man is dressed in a tan suit. In the background, there are people seated at tables under yellow umbrellas, and decorative elements like flowers can be seen.
The Netherlands, Den Haag – September 2026

During a visit to the Apple Store in Den Haag, this scene was outside. In the frame of the door, looking into the Passage, and old shopping mall.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Bridged

Black and white image of a calm river with a small boat navigating towards a bridge in the background.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2026

The Netherlands has its fair share of water (canals, lakes, ponds) and a fair share of bridges and even aquaducts. LAPC #413 is ‘bridges’. This two bridges (overlapping) are not my favorites, but with the bridge this one is taken from, the most common I see every day.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Haarlem Station

Black and white photograph of a railway station with a high arched roof, featuring train tracks leading into the distance and people walking along the platform.
The Netherlands, Haarlem – August 2026

The station of Haarlem.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

At The Start Of A Holiday

A passenger airplane flying against a clear blue sky, viewed from below.
The Netherlands, Zandvoort – August 2026

Just after take off, a plane with most likely a holiday destination, comes straight over Zandvoor circuit.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version

Directions

A scenic beach with footprints in the sand and tire tracks, under a dramatic sky filled with clouds and a bright sun.

The Netherlands, Zandvoort – August 2026

Beaches and sunsets, sea meeting land, space wide open.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version

Kite Surfer

A kite surfer gliding through the air over shimmering ocean waves with dark clouds in the background and a silhouette of a fisherman standing in the water.
The Netherlands, Zandvoort – August 2026

The beach at Zandvoort. A kite surfer taking on the wind and waves.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version

Mono and/or colour? Zandvoort Beach

Couple walking along a beach under a dramatic sky filled with clouds, with the ocean in the background.
The Netherlands, Zandvoort – August 2026
Black and white image of a beach with two people standing in the foreground, looking out toward the sea, where wind turbines are visible on the horizon under a cloudy sky.
The Netherlands, Zandvoort – August 2026

The beach at Zandvoort. The west coast of The Netherlands is one big sand beach. Choosing for mono or colour is a choice for atmosphere. But also a way to get more attention to certain parts of the frame. Silhouettes in black in mono work stronger than in colour for me. But in the end, it is a matter of taste of course.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version

Mono and/or coloured? Before Take off, Schiphol

View of an airport cargo area with numerous luggage containers and a Singapore Airlines plane parked nearby, set against a cloudy sky.
The Netherlands, Amsterdam Schiphol – August 2026
A black and white image of an airport cargo area showing numerous shipping containers and a Singapore Airlines airplane in the background.
The Netherlands, Amsterdam Schiphol – August 2026

Waiting for boarding can be boring, but sometimes there is an opportunity for a nice photo. And again, a tough choice, pick your favourite. LAPC #412 is ‘places shaped by water’. The airport Schiphol is located in what used to be a lake till the mid 1800 century.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version

Mono and/or Colour? Dutch Polder Landscape

A polder landscape. Living below sea level water management is needed to keep us dry. Here you see a typical polder landscape.
LAPC #412 is ‘places shaped by water’.

A dramatic sky filled with thick, gray clouds, with a hint of blue peeking through, over a rural landscape featuring fields and a few buildings in the foreground.
The Netherlands, Leidschendam – August 2026
A black and white photograph of a dramatic sky filled with textured clouds, overlooking a rural landscape with distant houses and trees.
The Netherlands, Leidschendam – August 2026

Mono and/or Coloured? Volkerakdam

One of the first questions I had buying my first digital DSLR was ‘how do I shoot monochrome photos from now?’. In the past it was just choosing what film I put in a camera. Going digital implied using editing to revert from color to monochrome. More recently black and white modes came back on devices. Not only on iPhone. My choice for Nikon Zf was influenced by it. But it all is a question of taste. And taste is specific. When I see a subject nowadays I try to use the monochrome settings and the standard colour settings; knowing that I can nowadays see the results straight away. That is a blessing.

Two different photos of the road over the Volkerakdam. This dam and the locks in it, are part of the Delta Works, safeguarding The Netherlands against floods.

LAPC #412 is ‘places shaped by water’. I think that applies exactly to the existence of The Netherlands.

A scenic view of a cloudy sky over a body of water, with a highway guardrail in the foreground and a streetlamp on the left.
The Netherlands, Volkerakdam – August 2026
Black and white photograph of dramatic cloud formations over a calm body of water, with a small boat visible in the distance and a railing in the foreground.
The Netherlands, Volkerakdam – August 2026

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Wet Road

A blurred view of trucks on a snowy road, with heavy snowfall obscuring visibility.
Belgium, Waasmunster – August 2026

After a long dry period a day of rain, just during a drive from the UK back home through Belgium. In The Netherlands we have ‘open tarmac’ that drains rain fast. Rain and poor visibility make a drive more difficult.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Afterglow

A dark sky filled with various shades of blue clouds, creating a textured and dramatic atmosphere.
England, Charlwood – August 2026

The light of the setting sun from behind the horizon reflects in the clouds for the last moments.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Final Approach

A vast blue sky filled with textured clouds, featuring a small distant object hovering in the center.
England, Charlwood – August 2026

A glimmer of light in a darkening sky. A plane approaches London Gatwick.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Leaves Leave in Autumn

Black and white close-up of lush green leaves on a plant with a blurred background.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2026

Sun baked green in monochrome.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version

Nobody Can Wait Forever

A modern airport terminal interior showcasing spacious seating areas with passengers waiting. The photo is in black and white, highlighting the architectural elements like large glass windows and stylish lighting fixtures.
The Netherlands, Schiphol Amsterdam – August 2026

Waiting for boarding on Schiphol Amsterdam.

Shot with iPhone 17 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version