What's (in) the Picture?

Chris Breebaart Photography – finding stories

Posts tagged ‘LENS-ARTISTS’

Let It Roll

France – Morbihan, Questembert – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
The dreamy field with freshly pressed straw rolls offers a nice challenge. It is an opportunity to create something that makes sense in images. The idea that they actually roll. Near Questembert in the Morbihan region of Brittany.

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

Brouillard

France, St. Samsom-sur-Rance – August 1996

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
A local railway track, disappearing in the fog. A photo from almost 30 years ago, taken in Brittany at St. Samsom-sur-Rance, near Dinan.

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

Studying Hard

The Netherlands, Delft – June 2025

The theme for his week Lens-artists challenge #356 is ‘Quiet Hours’. 

Delft has a technical university with a long history in engineering and water management. The plan for Dutch coast defense implemented in the Delta Works originated here. Deltares is a major technological institute for research focusing on water management.

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

Exploring Guildford: The Surrey Scholar

England, Guildford – April 2025

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #350 (congratulations!) is ‘zooming’. A zoomlens gets you nearer to the subject, and can be used for lots of creative effects. The brief for this LAPC is to be creative, but in this photo I used the zoom just to get closer to a section of the ‘full picture’ of the Surrey Scholar on High Street in Guildford. The zoom puts the statue in a different light, taking the context away.

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

Discovering Bluebells in Surrey: A Spring Adventure

England, Ranmore Common – April 2025

The brief for this weekly Lens-Artists Challenge #349 is ‘the first thing I thought of (when I saw this)’.
Bluebells are famous. But I never saw one with my own eyes in the wild until this Spring.

This Spring I saw them flowering in the woods of Surrey. Beautiful.

Shot with Nikon Zf, 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.

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 Snapseed,  GrainLab and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

Where Old Meets New aka Advertising Space

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? 

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 Snapseed, GrainLab and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Meet The Ducks

The Netherlands, Leidschendam – February 2025
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? 

Two landscapes, originally shot in color. I do prefer the monochrome version. That was tweaked with GrainLab.

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. The dark spots are much more toned and I do like the grain feel of Kodak Tri X.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed, GrainLab 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 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

Elvis Is In The Tree At Christmas!

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2024

Rest assured people of The Netherlands, Elvis is available for your trees at Christmas! It brings a smile to my face (LAPC #326 is ‘this made me smile’)

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

Silence in Nature: Exploring Autumn’s Beauty

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

This week lens artists challenge #323 is ‘silence’. Autumn is a time where we move towards the end of the cycle, preparing for Winter. A time of letting go with the awareness that nature is preparing for Spring. The cycle of life at work, complexity in simplicity.

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

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #323: Embracing Silence

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

This week lens artists challenge #323 is ‘silence’. How to depict silence?

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

Glimpse


The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

This week lens artists challenge #323 is ‘silence’. How to depict silence?

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

Embracing Imperfection: Life’s Beautiful Cycle (Look what the cat left behind)

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

Maybe the best example of perfect imperfection is the cycle of life we see every day around us. When the leaves fall in Autumn in fact nature is preparing for its next Spring. 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.

‘Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, in everything
That’s how the light gets in‘

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

Intentional Creative Movement – Light

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2004

This week’s Lens Artitsts Photo Challenge (#321) is Intentional Camera Movement (ICM). Yesterday I published photos shot analogue on film: the result is only visible after developing the film. This one is from 2004 with my first digital Nikon D70. The fun of digital is that you can actually see on the back what the result is, and use this feedback to try again. Digital gives freedom and is cheap and gives instant feedback. 20 years of digital playing.

shot with Nikon D70, edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version.

Intentional Creative Movement – Bicycle

France, Saint-Hippolyte_du_Fort – August 1997

This week’s Lens Artitsts Photo Challenge (#321) is Intentional Camera Movement (ICM). These photos are from a workshop in 1997 in France, where we had to create movement with a low shutter speed while following the subject. Basically a fun excercise but done on film. So the result literally came to light after developing the film. The excitement and anxiety about the possible results were out of scale! Patience.

These film archives are the source of my B4 retouch series.

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 andMarksta. Click the picture for a bigger version

Stunning Autumn Gold

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

Autumn has arrived. Some trees take a fast lane to color and shed, some take more time. Each year this tree is delight of gold.

This week’s Lens Artitsts Photo Challenga (#321) is Intentional Camera Movement (ICM). That is a creative technique, but in this case the movement was non-intentional, caused by the extreme zoom of the iPhone, my unsteady hand and the amount of light available. However, it gave an overall glow to the photos that I do like. I hope the hose of this week Anne is not offended by this entry.

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

Rose


The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

This week’s theme for LAPC #319 is ‘setting a mood’.

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

Geese at Waterside: Autumn Mood Setting in Oegstgeest

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

Geese tidying up at the waterside, Autumn clean up before Winter is on its way? This week’s theme for LAPC #319 is ‘setting a mood’.

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

Unique Sunrise Photo: SUP Paddler in Focus

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2024

The canal is one of my long period objects for photos. I always look if there is something worth a photo when I cross it. Most of the time it is empty, sometimes there is a boat. But this time there was a first: a SUP paddler in a beautiful moody Autumnal sunrise. As if he knew this week’s theme for LAPC #319 is ‘setting a mood’.

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

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Rose

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – October 2024

This week’s theme for LAPC #319 is ‘setting a mood’.

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

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary: Canal Reflections

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – September 2024

LAPC #316 is ‘Finding beauty in unexpected places’. One of the objects for photographs is the canal that runs through my village. It is quite ordinary, there is a vast amount of small and little canals to dispose of water in The Netherlands. To manage water in a country that is partly under sea level, one has to build infrastructure to keep dry feet. Two pictures taken at the same moment of the day, slightly different in monochrome style. The first is with the silvertone setting, the last with the dark setting on the iPhone. It changes the atmosphere completely. And one may be more beautiful than the other, it is all in the eye of the beholder.

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

Terrace Life

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – September 2024

LAPC #316 is ‘Finding beauty in unexpected places’.

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

An evening at Katwijk aan Zee Around Sunset – August 2024

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

Sometimes it just happens. You are in a place and the light is fantastic, and there is so much to frame in a photo. The sunset is spectacular and for some odd 30 minutes you are in a photography candy shop. This is a selection of what ended up on my phone on that hot August evening.

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

Spectacular Sunset in Katwijk aan Zee – A Visual Delight

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

The theme for this week LAPC 316 is ‘Destanation: Fun‘.  Going to the beach is fun, but witnessing a brilliant sunset on a warm Summer evening, while a display of boats and windmills complete the scene, is true fun. Here is the full view of the scenery of the sunset, I just picked out parts of it in other photos published earlier (and after).

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

Beach Fun: Captivating Sunset in Katwijk aan Zee, Netherlands

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

The theme for this week LAPC 316 is ‘Destanation: Fun‘.  Going to the beach is fun, but witnessing a brilliant sunset on a warm Summer evening, while a dispaly of boats and windmills complete the scene, is true fun. I published a few of them already two weeks ago (see the archive Katwijk). I hope you still have fun watching them.

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

Netherlands Cut Flowers Field in Oegstgeest – The Last of Thistles

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2024

Cut flowers are a common good in The Netherlands. This is the field of a grower, just around the corner. He harvested the thistles and moved them to the flower auction for sale. This is the ones left over on the field. For Lens Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #316 ‘Common Object’.

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

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 Netherlands, Rijsenhout – August 2024

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

Common Object

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

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

Magnificent Sunset at Katwijk Beach, Netherlands

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

Last week we had dinner on the beach and were treated to a beautiful sunset. And, as always when a subject grips me, I took loads of pictures. The iPhone makes it really easy just to snap, zoom, frame and play with light. So the last days I published some of them for the theme of this week for LAPC 314: ‘shorelines‘. It is probably serendipity, but it matched nicely on this set of photos. So to close the week a final one of this sunset. I hope you enjoyed them. And the left over of this shoot will probably appear in the near future.

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

Noordzee Beach: A Stunning Sunset View | Lens Artists Challenge 314

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

The theme for this week LAPC 314 is ‘shorelines‘. My main shoreline is the beach of the Noordzee. And the views it offers, particularly at special moments of the day like a sunset. The sky looks like it offers an extra layer of reflection for the sun, a second horizon.

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

Is It A Romantic Sunset Shot Or Just The Two Of Us?

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

When you are on a spot where you see such a wonderful sunset, it is normal to shoot multiple photos. This couple appeared in a few of the photos already, but each time they are in a shot, it is the framing of a different story as I see it. Maybe you do too. The theme for this week LAPC 314 is ‘shorelines‘.

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

All Ready For Tomorrow


The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

The sun sets, everything is cleaned up and ready for tomorrow for new clients. It is the Summer rhythm of the beach on the shoreline of the Noordzee. The theme for this week LAPC 314 is ‘shorelines‘.

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

On The Shoreline


The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

Sunsets can be shared! The theme for this week LAPC 314 is ‘shorelines‘.

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

Sunset On The Shoreline

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – August 2024

The sun sets in Katwijk, exposing the sea to a layer of gold. The theme for this week LAPC 314 is ‘shorelines‘.

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

Klaus

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2024

The weekly LAPC #313 is ‘cool colors’. Meet Klaus. He is cool.

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

Over Looking

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2024

The weekly LAPC #312 is sense of scale’.

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

Downside Up Upside Down

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2024

The weekly LAPC #312 is sense of scale’. When you look up to the sky for a while, it seems you are looking down from the sky to earth.

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

The Enormous Scale of the Sky

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2024

The weekly LAPC #312 is sense of scale’. When you look up to the sky and see a plane coming over, one is never that much aware of the enormous scale of the space over our heads.

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

Discover the Corbulo Tunnel Connection in The Netherlands | August 2024

The Netherlands, Voorschoten – August 2024

Building tunnels is not common in The Netherlands, the soil is mostly consisting of clay on top of a sandpackage. However, recently a new connection between motorway A4 and A44 was opened: the Corbulo Tunnel (link to a video). This is a shot from the first time I travelled throught it. The weekly LAPC #312 is sense of scale’

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

Cairo 2002: Vintage Balcony Scene Captured on Kodak TriX | B4 Retouch Series

Egypt, Cairo – April 2002

A left over from an earlier LAPC ‘balconies’.

The B4 retouch series
I browsed my archive for pictures to publish. All of them are not completely retouched yet. Scratches, dust and stains are not removed.

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

Night Club Sign and Balconies in Rethymnon, Crete

Greece, Rethymnon – September 2016

LAPC 309 is about balconies. I have to admit that I do not pay special attention to balconies, unless they trigger me as I look around and they catch my eye. This in Rethymnon on Crete. A bit of a messy shot, but I spotted the sign of the night club (does one have to be envious to visit?) and the adjacent balconies and roof, mimicking the eye lashes of the club sign. A kind of eyebrows raised photo.

shot with Nikon D7000, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

2nd Balcony Scene, but it’s not Shakespeare

Greece, Rethymnon – September 2015

LAPC 309 is about balconies. I have to admit that I do not pay special attention to balconies, unless they trigger me as I look around and they catch my eye. This in Rethymnon on Crete. My first entry was an original monochrome on film. With this one I could not decide between the original and the edited monochrome version. Hence you see them both. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

shot with Nikon D7000, edited using Snapseed and Marksta.  Click the picture for a larger version.

1st Balcony Scene, but it’s not Shakespeare

Belgium, Antwerp – August 2024

LAPC 309 is about balconies. I have to admit that I do not pay special attention to balconies, unless they trigger me as I look around and they catch my eye. This in Antwerp. My previous entry was an original monochrome on film. With this one I could not decide between the original and the edited monochrome version. Hence you see them both. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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

Capturing the Charm of Paris: Balcony and French Windows in December 1993

France, Paris – December 2003

LAPC 309 is about balconies. I have to admit that I do not pay special attention to balconies, unless they trigger me as I look around and they catch my eye. I do however ‘collect’ French windows. So occasionally they pop up in a frame. This is one of those, in one of my favourite cities, Paris. From the analogue archive of December 1993.

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.