photograph | What's (in) the Picture?

Choices And Preferences 2 (Sky)

A photo of a sky filled with fluffy white clouds against a blue background. — The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2025

A black and white monochrome image of a cloudy sky, featuring various shades of gray and white, creating an abstract and mysterious atmosphere. — The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2025

I have a fondness for black and white aka monochrome. That grew on me. Mono was cheaper 50 years ago and more ‘easy’ to handle in a dark room. Monochrome gives something extra at times. The sphere, the grain. And over all these years I learned to see objects in monochrome, visualizing what something looks like in grays.

When I bought my first Nikon digital camera (the D70), I naively asked ‘where is the monochrome setting?’. It was not there. Shooting was color only. If I wanted mono I had to create it myself afterwards in Lightroom, Photoshop or an app like Snapseed. But lucky for me, on the iPhone and on the recent Nikon Zf, there are monochrome settings. To be honest, that was one of the reasons to buy a Zf. So now I have a choice: choose a mono or color setting, or turn color afterward turn it into mono.

I know the taste of my ‘audience’ is different than mine. In three days I like to find out more about your taste. What do you fancy more: a photo in mono or in color?

This second one is about sky. Always there, lots of it. In color it can be blue, white, gray, dark. In mono it delivers whites, grays and dark zones. In mono the image changes it seems. An abstract sky can turn into something mysterious. The photo was shot in color.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Choices And Preferences 1 (Cley next the sea)

A scenic view of the Cley windmill set against a backdrop of a cloudy sky and tall golden grasses in the foreground. — England, Cley next the sea – January 2025

A black and white photograph of the Cley windmill, located in Cley next the Sea, set against a field of grasses under a cloudy sky. — England, Cley next the sea – January 2025

I have a fondness for black and white aka monochrome. That grew on me. Mono was cheaper 50 years ago and more ‘easy’ to handle in a dark room. Monochrome gives something extra at times. The sphere, the grain. And over all these years I learned to see objects in monochrome, visualizing what something looks like in grays.

When I bought my first Nikon digital camera (the D70), I naively asked ‘where is the monochrome setting?’. It was not there. Shooting was color only. If I wanted mono I had to create it myself afterwards in Lightroom, Photoshop or an app like Snapseed. But lucky for me, on the iPhone and on the recent Nikon Zf, there are monochrome settings. To be honest, that was one of the reasons to buy a Zf. So now I have a choice: mono or color.

I know the taste of my ‘audience’ is different than mine. In three days I like to find out more about your taste. What do you fancy more: a photo in mono or in color?

This is the famous Cley windmill at Cley next the sea. It’s by far the best name for a coastal village. Interestingly, it actually does not have a sea front. The mill was owned by the family of James Blunt. The photo was shot in color.

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

Triple

Close-up of green magnolia leaves showcasing varying shades and intricate vein patterns. — The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2025

And another update from the garden: the Magnolia is doing superb this year. Let’s hope the abundance of green in leaves will lead to an abundance of flowers next Spring.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Growing Tomatoes and Cucumbers in Oegstgeest

This year we try to grow tomatoes and cucumbers in the garden.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Stunning Sunset Over Oegstgeester Kanaal

And yes, another sunset. Well, they come around every day. This one is a golden gem.

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

Dessert

The delicious ending of a wonderful dinner.

Archive Leiden

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

Blue

Archive Oegstgeest

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

And Another Sunset Nudge

One can not take enough photos of sunsets.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Drips (And Other Thoughts About Photography)

This week’s Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’. Photography is about seeing. But what do you see? I can only talk for myself. It all starts with an appeal. Something in the real world captures my eyes. Most of the times that is spontaneous. It is about being there in the moment. What I visualize tells me a story, a small whisper, ‘come, shoot me! It’s fun’. And when building the photo lines, patterns, colors (or monochrome tones) are tools to try to bring that story out. And then the shutter clicks. My photo’s are my story of the world. My way of giving ‘voice’ to something that made me press the shutter, that reflects inside me. Yet, my click with the image can be totally different than the click of the observer.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Exploring Leiden’s Scenic Canals: A Summer Evening

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
A sunset over the Galgenwater in Leiden. A warm Summer night, with lots of boats cruising the canals. In the background the replica of the windmill of Rembrandt van Rijn’s father.

Archive Leiden

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

Exploring Chaos in Photo Compositions

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

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
Long leading lines, nice shapes etc are pretty obvious to use when building a nice frame. But what about chaos? Can that be appealing too? A field with spiderwebs, wet by the fog. A photo from almost 30 years ago, taken in Brittany at St. Samsom-sur-Rance, near Dinan. To see it at its best, click the photo please.

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

Low Tide

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #359 is ‘Tools of Photo Compositions: Lines, Colors and Patterns’.
The harbor of Le Conquet at low tide during sunset, as equestrians pass by. To say I was surprised when I spotted the horses, is an understatement.

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

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

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

Swift

A swallow, high in the sky. A warm day.

The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2025

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Station to Station

Tram station Prinses Beatrixlaan.

Archive Den Haag

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

Genesis Inspiration: Photographing the Moon with iPhone

One of my favorite bands is Genesis. In 1976 A Trick of the Tail came out with a beautiful song ‘Mad Man Moon’. Last month I tried to take a shot of the moon using my iPhone. And this is the result.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Golden Summer Morning

And the sun also rises in gold on a Summer morning. And when you shoot it in color, it is literally photographer’s gold.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Capturing Summer Mornings in Oegstgeest

Summer mornings can sometimes welcome you into a warm, joyful and laid back day. This is one of those days filled with ease. The sun also rises, each day, at more or less the same place. And when you catch it early, it is photographer’s gold.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

White Agapanthus

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Summer Morning

Sun shining through the trees on the start of another warm Summer day.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Contemplation

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Unique Dutch Stereotypes and Cherished Flowers: Chrysanthemum

We Dutch are often described as being on the penny. Of course, we all wear wooden clogs. We eat stroopwafels all the time. We have a fetish for windmills. And do not forget to accuse us of creating our own country by fighting the sea. We drink to gain courage and let you pay your own meal. Add tulips and other bulb flowers to finish the picture of the Dutch. Oh yes, we are considered rude. We call it ‘direct’.

In the end we sure have a laugh about all that is said about us, Dutchies, worldwide. But if you combine being on the penny with buying flowers, you choose flowers that stay good for weeks: Chrysanthemum. As Johan Cruyff used to say: “every disadvantage, has its advantage”.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Water Play

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a wonderful clever piece of photographic technology. It is the ideal snap instrument, that is always in my pocket. The quality of the images is improved immensely over the years. And to be honest, I shoot most of my photos with it nowadays. Just because I always have my phone with me. What I still do not like is the quality of images when you use the zoom. This shot is on full zoom and the details disappear. Unfortunately I was not able to move closer at that moment. At these moments I wish I had my Nikon Zf at hand, with a nice long lens.

Archive Leiden

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

Exploring Dutch Gladioli: Culture and Significance

In The Netherlands, we do grow lots of cut flowers. A lot of them are exported but there is plenty of supply for the domestic market. In our household we have fresh cut flowers every week. Last week we had these big fellows. Gladioli are famous for the saying ‘death or the gladioli’. A Dutch proverb that translates to ‘all or nothing’ or ‘do or die’. Success or failure.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Unexpected iPhone Long Exposure Sunset Shot

While trying to take an after sunset photo, my iPhone decided it needed a long exposure. The result an unexpected shot. This is the photo I aimed for. It was published two days ago. It shows the sun reflecting in the clouds after sunset.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Garden Joy: Agapanthus

The garden is a joy now, flowers popping up everywhere. The Agapanthus are doing very well this year. They are the diva’s this time of year. This is a white agapanthus, tweaking it a bit with Snapseed turned it into yellow all of a sudden.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Stunning Sunset Reflections in Oegstgeest

The sun reflects its light in the clouds after sunset.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Allium Afterglow

This is the last stage of the yearly cycle of a giant Allium. It comes in three photo versions after showing that amazing flower, that we enjoyed this year.

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Hosta After Rain

Archive Oegstgeest

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

Cross Town Wedding

In the charming streets of Delft, a couple dressed as bride and groom had us questioning whether we’d stumbled upon a wedding or a spontaneous costume party. Either way, love was in the air, or at least some excellent snap photo ops!

Archive Delft

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

Exploring Delft: A Glimpse of City Hall and New Church

The city hall of of Delft with the steeple of the New Church in the background.

Archive Delft

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

Capturing Katwijk: Church and Rooftops

The Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee – June 2025

This part of Katwijk is not much photographed, I guess. The roofs and the tower of the church made a nice composition.

Archive Katwijk

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

Frigate

During the NATO summit navy vessels patrolled the coast. This is a impressionistic long shot of a frigate finding its way through the windmills.

Archive Katwijk

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

Studying Hard

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.