What's (in) the Picture?

Chris Breebaart Photography – finding stories

Posts from the ‘Landscape’ category

Atom Heart Mother Revisited

The Netherlands, Voorhout – May 2025

The famous Hipgnosis cover of Atom Heart Mother is iconic. I am not sure, but I think this is not a Holstein Cow.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab  and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

From A Train Spotting

The Netherlands, Voorschoten – May 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Haarlemmer Trekvaart Hares

Two hares in a green field near a river, with cows grazing in the background.
The Netherlands, Voorhout – May 2025

Hares in the fields, where normally cows wander.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab  and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

Through The Wire

France, St. George sur L’Aa – May 2025

Each time I pass here on the way to or from Calais, I take a picture of the power lines in St. Georges-sur-l’Aa.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max, edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Mini & Maxi: Nostalgic Reflections in Photography

England, Rusper – April 2025

The weekly Lens-Artists Challenge #349 is ‘the first thing I thought of (when I saw this)’. For me this is about association, and the thought that pops up seeing a scene. Frankly this feedback of an image is why I shoot photos.

Two trees, a short and slightly taller one, an image that reminded me of Mini & Maxi, a small-art comical duo that consisted of Karel de Rooij (Mini) and Peter de Jong (Maxi). The duo performed under this name from 1969 to 2017. (there is no Wikipedia in English, but you can translate the Dutch one if you are interested to know more).

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

The pros and cons of Tree Risk Management

England, Rusper – April 2025

Lately I have not participated in the weekly Lens-Artists Challenge, but here is one that fits the brief of #349 ‘the first thing I thought of (when I saw this)’. For me this is about association, and the thought that pops up seeing a scene can be the reason for taking the photo. Sometimes a thought that brings a smile, sometimes a thought of a type of despair or frustration: why? As it was the latter in this case.

In The Netherlands, all trees are bi-annualy inspected for risks, like falling over during a storm, to prevent calamities and discomfort. Its aim is to prevent and control future situations. In a way this makes sense, if you can prevent accidents, what is not to be liked about that? On the other hand you are never sure when they come down, but you do know that it will happen! At times with severe storms, trees tend to come down on roads and motorways or train tracks. C’est la vie, say the French. Luckily, in England one can enjoy the odd dead, broken, fallen over or not too healthy tree like this one. Let nature be nature, enjoy the ride.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Exploring Monty Python’s Flying Circus: A Sheep’s Perspective

England, Rusper – April 2025

Lately I have not participated in the weekly Lens-Artists Challenge, but here is one that fits the brief of #349 ‘the first thing I thought of (when I saw this)’. For me this is about association, and the thought that pops up seeing a scene can be the reason for taking the photo. As it was in this case. A peaceful arcadic scene of a green, lush valley with grazing sheep in the distance, made me think of a sketch.
One of my first introductions to Monty Python’s Flying Circus was the sketch ‘Flying Sheep’. In which dim sheep are trying to be like birds, led by the most dangerous of all animals, a clever sheep (Harald). After that introduction I was a fan forever, of Python, and sometimes lamb.

Shot with Nikon Zf, edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Creating Fisheye Effects with iPhone’s Panorama Feature? (a view from a hill)

England, Rusper – April 2025

The iPhone has a cute panorama feature. The result of a pan shot is the above. I wonder if you could ‘turn it around’ so that it looks more like a wide angle/fisheye shot. That would look more natural to me. Anyone has any ideas? Now it looks like a view from a corner.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Last Field

The Netherlands, Voorhout – April 2025

All the bulb flowers of Spring are now gone. We have to wait for next year to see tulips, daffodils and hyacinths ruling the fields of our flat lands. Until then we enjoy nature exploding in its full force, and after that its decline into Winter. But for now it’s amazing how fast everything springs out.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

First Spring Day Sunset

The Netherlands, Noordwijk – March 2025

The first Sunset of Spring.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed, GrainLab and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Landscape of Hyacinths


The Netherlands, Voorhout – April 2025

Lens Artists Photo Challenge 343 is ‘Seen on my last outing’. Yesterday, a short bicycle ride around Voorhout. On the bulb fields lines are straight, which is kind of boring. But the panoramic view of the iPhone changes the perspective.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

Hyacinths and pond life

The Netherlands, Voorhout – March 2025

The flowerbeds are there again. The daffodils as always first and now hyacinths.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

On the horizon

The Netherlands, Leidschendam – February 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Where Old Meets New aka Advertising Space

This week Lens Artist Photo Challenge #335 is exploring color versus monochrome aka black and white. Compare a color photo with a monochrome print of it. What works better? 

A few days ago I published a resembling shot in color and mono. This post differs from the earlier ones. The tree on the right went out of the frame. And a very modern advertising pole pops up in the background.

My love for the bleak colors of Winter’s light are the same. But I prefer this mono version, even if it was originally shot in color. GrainLab is a great tool, and the atmosphere of the photo is ‘old’ but the view is modern.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Back Up

The Netherlands, Leidschendam – February 2025

This week Lens Artist Photo Challenge #335 is exploring color versus monochrome aka black and white. Compare a color photo with a monochrome print of it. What works better?

I tend to think in black and white at most moments. Just my preference. And if I can I shoot just in a mono mode on my iPhone or my recent purchased Nikon Zf.

Yesterday I publiced this one in color. I do like it, the bleak colors of Winter light are nice. But I prefer this mono version, even if it was originally shot in color,

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Don Quichotte has to stand tall nowadays

The Netherlands, Leidschendam – February 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Klinkenberger Plas

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – January 2025

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Capturing Road Side Views: The Sun Also Rises – Colchester

England, Colchester- Little Bentley – December 2024

Ending the year in the UK, a roadside view from the car over a foggy countryside. Hence the sharpness is not optimal.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Capturing Road Side Views: Fakenham

England, Fakenham – Pensthorpe – December 2024

Ending the year in the UK, a roadside view from the car over a foggy Norfolk countryside. Hence the sharpness is not optimal.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Capturing Foggy Countryside: We Stand Alone – Stowmarket, Suffolk


England, Stowmarket – Little Stonham – December 2024

Ending the year in the UK, a roadside view from the car over a foggy Suffolk countryside. Hence the sharpness is not optimal. This is another one I used GrainLab to put in an analogue grain feeling. It softened the darks and gave the photo a more balanced view in the highlights. Snapseed tends to distort big surfaces in the sky, and this is a nice retouch effect to repair that.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using SnapseedGrainLab and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Capturing Foggy Countryside: England Roadside Views – Stowmarket, Suffolk

England, Stowmarket – Little Stonham – December 2024

Ending the year in the UK, a roadside view from the car over a foggy Suffolk countryside. Hence the sharpness is not optimal. This is the first time I used GrainLab to put in an analogue grain feeling. It softened the darks and gave the photo a more balanced view in the highlights. Snapseed tends to distort big surfaces in the sky, and this is a nice retouch effect to repair that.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed, GrainLab and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Surf’s Up

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – November 2024

The weekly LAPC #327 is ‘five elements’. Four of the Greek (fire, water, earth, sky) and metal from a Chinese philosophical edge. The only fire in this photo is invisible and contained in the wind sweeping the water onto the beach. And as far for metal, it keeps the wooden fence together. Water, sky and earth in abundance. Funny we do not look in ‘elements’ to a photo.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

From The Bridge, Into The Distance

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Going Up Going Down

The Netherlands, Zwanenburg – October 2024

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

There is a Crack in Everything: A Photographic Journey

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

This week’s Lens Artists Photo Challenge #322 is ‘there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’. The quote is from a verse by Leonard Cohen about imperfection and beauty, redemption, healing and growth to overcome pain and hurt. The origin is more ‘cosmic’ and is much older (e.g. Rumi): the only perfect ‘being’ (the light) is the source of all. As humans we are not perfect but we can let the light in to heal our wounds and pain. And essentially learn from it.

Yesterday I showed a photo from the bright side, this one is from the sunrise, and I must say I love the light and the atmosphere.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

The Sunny Side

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

This week’s Lens Artists Photo Challenge #322 is ‘there is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in’. It is from a verse by Leonard Cohen about imperfection and beauty. This photo is just a blunt statement: the light comes from the right. But considering my more frequent photo moments in the early morning on this spot, it is after noon. A total different view on the same view. The way the light hits a scene gives it meaning. And shows different details. It softens, warms an strikes with a tender touch, showing the deeper beauty. Not perfect, but priceless.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Watering Wild Cows

The Netherlands, Valkenburg – September 2024

‘Wild cows’ enjoy the water in the dunes near Valkenburg. The image is taken by hand on the maximum zoom of the iPhone, so it is a bit unsharp.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Imagining the Blooming Flower Fields of Voorhout

The Netherlands, Voorhout – September 2024

In about six months these fields will be covered with blooming bulb flowers. Can you imagine the colors?

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Arcadian View

The Netherlands, Wassenaar – September 2024

A view over the meadows in an old Dutch masters light.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Tractor On A Gentle Line Of Orange

The Netherlands, Wassenaar – September 2024

The Netherlands is famous for its Spring bulbflower fields, but we produce flowers in Summer and Autumn as well.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

A Gentle Line Of Orange


The Netherlands, Wassenaar – September 2024

Yes, we produce flowers in Summer and Autumn as well.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Bicycle Adventures: Wassenaar’s Picturesque Zijwatering Canal

A bicycle tour brought us to the Zijwatering, a canal from Wassenaar to the Oude Rijn (in the time of the Roman Empire the present Old Rhine was part of the Rhine estuary and came into the Northsea at Katwijk). It was a surprise and also a delight to see the beauty of the landscape under a beatiful early Autumn sun. The bottom photo is a panorama, using this feature on the iPhone makes straight lines bend.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Glasshouses in The Netherlands: A Common Object | Lens Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #316

The use of glasshouses is widespread in The Netherlands for all kinds of crops and flowers. Lens Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #316 is ‘Common Object’.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Between The Lines

The Netherlands, Abbenes – August 2024

Dramatic morning over the Haarlemmermeerpolder near Abbenes.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Rows

The Netherlands, Sassenheim – March 2024
The Netherlands, Sassenheim – March 2024

It is that time of year again, bulbflowers spreading colors and aromas around.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Hyacinths

The Netherlands, Sassenheim – March 2024

It is that time of year again, bulbflowers spreading colors and aromas around.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Light

The Netherlands, Voorhout – January 2024

This week’s Lens Artists Challenge #287 is ‘Sound’. The road is busy, the sound of cars is in my ears as I try to frame this mill against the sunset, trying to avoid a car in the frame at first. Then zooming out and coming back to the road I ended up with this one, showing the lamplight and the cars coming and fading in the distance. This is the last in a series of four of Windmill ‘Hoop doet leven’ in Voorhout against the Winter sunset. The first three in a list in order of publication:

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger version

Winter Sunset

The Netherlands, Voorhout – January 2024

For LAPC #285 is ‘warm colors’. A warm toned Winter sunset.

Shot with iPhone 13 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta Click the picture for a larger