What's (in) the Picture?

Chris Breebaart Photography – finding stories

Posts tagged ‘Summer’

Mono and/or Colored? Entangled at St. Georges-sur-L’Aa

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.

Two photos of the power lines at St. George-sur-L’Aa in France. Pick one or both. Both were shot on iPhone without the mono setting.

A dramatic view of high voltage power lines stretching across a cloudy sky, with multiple pylons visible in the distance.
Black and white landscape featuring multiple electric transmission towers against a cloudy sky.
France, St. George-sur-L’Aa -August 2026

Every time we travel to or from the UK via the Channel Tunnel, I try to take photos of these steel giants. They carry power lines in the area of St. George-sur-l’Aa. No worries, I’m in the passenger seat.

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

Waiting for Rain

A serene landscape view featuring lush trees and a golden sky at sunset, with a grassy field in the foreground.
England, Charlwood – August 2026

Drought in England after months without rain and an unusual amount of heatwaves. The landscape turned dramatically.

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

Mono and/or Colored? Haarlem Station

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.

The same photo of the station of Haarlem in color and (edited) monochrome. Pick one or both.

Interior view of a train station with arched metal beams and a high ceiling, featuring platforms and waiting areas with people moving around.
Black and white photograph of a railway station interior, featuring an arched metal roof, large windows, and people walking along the platform near the train tracks.
The Netherlands, Haarlem – August 2026

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

The Final Lap: F1 Grand Prix Zandvoort 2026

A panoramic view of a motorsport event with a crowd of spectators in the foreground, sporting various team apparel, overlooking a racetrack with grandstands and a cloudy sky.
The Netherlands, Zandvoort – August 2026

The Final Lap. The sixth and last episode of F1 racing on Zandvoort. A big event, bigger than motor racing. A major event with an atmosphere that is now a benchmark for F1 races. But unfortunately is commercially no longer interesting enough for the big greed. The last time the Orange Army is out to cheer Max Verstappen a final time on his home circuit. Which unfortunately lasted one lap in the race.

The photos are shot on the Friday. It was my first visit to a F1 event. Quite remarkable to witness. And hear. Just snapped a bit noticing the limitations of an iPhone under these circumstances.

A Red Bull racing car speeds past cheering fans at a Formula 1 event, with spectators holding up their phones to capture the moment.
A Formula 1 car racing past a crowd at a racetrack, with spectators watching from behind a fence.
A red Formula 1 racing car with the number 44 driving on the track, surrounded by spectators and a safety fence.
A McLaren Formula 1 car racing on a track, showcasing vibrant team colors and sponsor logos, with a blurred background to emphasize speed.
A red Formula 1 car racing on a track, with spectators in the foreground holding smartphones. The car features sponsors' logos and the number 16.
A Formula 1 car racing past a crowd at a Grand Prix event, with spectator stands and promotional banners visible in the background.
A helicopter hovers above a race track where several Formula 1 cars are racing, while marshals signal to the drivers. Spectators are watching from the stands.
Race personnel managing tire carts in a pit area with a Heineken advertisement in the background and temporary structures visible.
A panoramic view of a stadium area under a vibrant blue sky filled with clouds, featuring buildings and event setups below.

Summer Sunrise

Sunset view behind trees and a tall structure, with warm orange and yellow hues.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2026

Summer heat starting up with the sunrise.

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

Eclipse

A partially eclipsed sun with a bright orange glow, set against a dark background.
Close-up photo of a solar eclipse showing a crescent-shaped sun against a dark background, with glowing orange and yellow hues.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2026

We witnessed the last partial eclipse in Western Europe for the next 58 years in the beginning of August.

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

Vincent

A dramatic sky with swirling clouds and sunlight peeking through, capturing a serene landscape at dusk.
The Netherlands, Voorhout – August 2026

It seems I’m into sky and clouds during the warm days this Summer. This landscape is typical Dutch with some hints towards paintings of Vincent Van Gogh. Sun is setting. Not a starry night yet.

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

Detailed Space

A tranquil twilight sky transitioning from deep blue to soft orange, silhouetted by rooftops and a few clouds.
Silhouette of a rooftop and chimney against a gradient sky at sunset with scattered clouds.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

Sunsets these days are sometimes interesting with cloud shapes light up.

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

Impressionism

A gradient sky transitioning from deep blue at the top to orange at the horizon, with a few clouds near the center and silhouettes of rooftops and trees at the bottom.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

Sunsets these days are sometimes interesting with cloud shapes light up. With poor light conditions it can turn out to be a quite rough photo. I added to that roughness deliberately.

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

Sky Foam

Dramatic clouds in a moody sky at sunset, featuring various shades of gray and hints of gold light.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

Sunsets these days are sometimes interesting with cloud shapes light up.

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

Golden Hour

A vibrant sunset sky filled with fluffy clouds showcasing shades of yellow and blue.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

Sunsets these days are sometimes interesting with cloud shapes light up. At the golden hour.

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

Sky Stripes

A black and white image of a textured sky filled with clouds, showcasing a moody and atmospheric scene.
Black and white photograph of a dramatic sky filled with various cloud formations and textures.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

Sunsets these days are sometimes interesting with cloud shapes light up. Even in monochrome.

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

Dots

A vibrant sky filled with scattered fluffy clouds against a deep blue backdrop.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

Sunsets these days are sometimes interesting with cloud shapes light up.

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

Beam me up Scotty

A dramatic sky featuring wispy clouds illuminated by golden light, creating a serene atmosphere.
A dramatic sunset with vibrant orange and yellow hues illuminating clouds, alongside a silhouette of a tower in the foreground.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

Sunsets these days are sometimes interesting with cloud shapes light up.

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

Sheet

Wrinkled white sheets and pillows on a bed in black and white.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

This Sumer a lot of nights were really warm, so a sheet is just what you need for cover LAPC #408 is ‘over the top’.

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

Wet Road Side

View of trees and a landscape through a rainy car window, with droplets obscuring the scene and a cloudy sky overhead.
Raindrops on a window with blurred images of trees and a road in the background.
The Netherlands, Woubrugge – July 2026

This was the last rain we had, and before that we had more than a month without rain. It is dry, rivers run low.

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

Here comes the flood

A dramatic sky filled with various cloud formations illuminated by the setting sun, featuring shades of blue, orange, and white.

The sky at dusk, showing scenery that takes your imagination far. LAPC #408 is ‘over the top’.

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

Where do the sheep clouds go at night?

A dramatic sky filled with scattered fluffy clouds against a deep blue background, illuminated by soft golden light, creating a serene and picturesque atmosphere.
A dramatic sky filled with scattered clouds, showcasing a blend of blue and white hues.
A black and white photograph of a textured cloud formation in the sky, showcasing various patterns and shapes.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

LAPC #408 is ‘over the top’. The sky at dusk, showing what we call ‘schapenwolken’ in Dutch. Literally over the top. In case you can not sleep, counting them would help. But where do they go after you counted them?

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

Agapanthus Blues

A close-up of an agapanthus flower with clusters of purple buds, set against a blurred green and brown background.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

It is the time for Agapanthus again. Coming up showing off their beautiful flowers in the garden.

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

Agapanthus Purple

A close-up photograph of a cluster of small purple flowers on a green stem, with a blurred background.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2026

It is the time for Agapanthus again. Coming up showing off their beautiful flowers in the garden.

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

Boating

Two boats cruising on a serene waterway surrounded by greenery under a clear blue sky.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

LAPC #406 is ‘summer daze’. Summer traffic from and to the Kagerplassen.

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

At The Pub Garden

Black and white photo of a garden area with wooden picnic tables and umbrellas, featuring a building in the background and some greenery.
England, Dorking-Wotton – July 2026

LAPC #406 is ‘summer daze’. On a warm Summer’s evening at the local out in the garden.

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

At The Pub

Two women sitting at a table in a casual outdoor setting, overlooking a landscaped area, with one woman gesturing while they enjoy drinks.

England, Dorking-Wotton – July 2026

LAPC #406 is ‘summer daze’. On a warm Summer’s evening having a meal and drink at the local out in the garden.

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

Sunset

A gradient sunset with a deep blue sky transitioning to a warm golden hue, silhouetting rooftops and trees at the horizon.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

LAPC #406 is ‘summer daze’. The heat presented itself with some abstract sunsets.

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

The Field on the Side of the Road (the sequel)

A scenic view of a rural landscape featuring a large tree in the foreground, a wooden fence, and a sun setting over a golden field under a clear blue sky.

England, Dorking-Wotton – July 2026

The driveway to Wotton House in Dorking. 

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

The Field on the Side of the Road

A picturesque landscape featuring a golden field under a clear blue sky, framed by green trees and a wooden fence. The sun shines brightly on the horizon.
England, Dorking-Wotton – July 2026

The driveway to Wotton House in Dorking.

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

Kent From Above

Aerial view of patchwork agricultural fields with varying shades of brown and green, interspersed with small settlements and clusters of trees.
England, over Kent – July 2026

As a Dutchman this palette of fields looks beautiful. In contrast to the look of The Netherlands from the sky: fields efficiently standardized in shape and size.

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

Before Take Off

View of the airport tarmac through an airplane window, featuring easyJet planes, a baggage truck, and clear blue skies.
The Netherlands, Schiphol Amsterdam – July 2026

Before take off. Just before the adventure starts (LPAC #405 is ‘adventure’).

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

Choose your pick 3

A rural landscape featuring a grassy field with a fence, leading to a wooded area with trees and a dirt path in the background.
A black and white landscape featuring a barren tree in a field, with a winding dirt path and a wooden fence in the foreground. Dense forest is visible in the background.
England, Rusper – July 2026

People who follow my photoblog (thank you!) know my love for monochrome. And sometimes it is a matter of taste what to choose: the original colour shot, or the monochrome version? That is if the original shot is not done in monochrome, I do that quite a lot on iPhone and Nikon Zf.

The question to you is: which one do you prefer, and why? Any comments are as always welcome.

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

Choose your pick 2

A winding dirt path leads through a grassy landscape, bordered by a fence. In the background, there are dense trees and a few large, bare trees, under a partly cloudy sky.
A black and white landscape photo featuring a winding dirt path alongside a rustic fence. In the background, there is a dense forest and a lone bare tree. The scene showcases a serene countryside setting under a partly cloudy sky.
England, Rusper – July 2026

People who follow my photoblog (thank you!) know my love for monochrome. And sometimes it is a matter of taste what to choose: the original colour shot, or the monochrome version? That is if the original shot is not done in monochrome, I do that quite a lot on iPhone and Nikon Zf.

The question to you is: which one do you prefer, and why? Any comments are as always welcome.

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

Choose your pick

A gravel road leading through a rural landscape, framed by wooden fences and dotted with clouds in the sky.
A gravel road leading through a green field under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
England, Rusper – July 2026

People who follow my photoblog (thank you!) know my love for monochrome. And sometimes it is a matter of taste what to choose: the original colour shot, or the monochrome version? That is if the original shot is not done in monochrome, I do that quite a lot on iPhone and Nikon Zf.

The question to you is: which one do you prefer, and why? Any comments are as always welcome.

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

Country Road

A gravel road leading through a grassy landscape under a blue sky with scattered clouds, bordered by a wooden fence.
England, Rusper – July 2026

Almost heaven, West-Sussex………….

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

Four

A serene pasture scene featuring four horses, two brown and one gray, grazing on lush green grass, surrounded by trees and a fence in the background.
England, Rusper – July 2026

Four mares, hopefully four new foals.

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

Skywalker

Two brown horses standing side by side next to a wooden fence in a grassy area.
England, Rusper – July 2026

Last year in May Skywalker was born with a hip problem. He recovered from that. Here he is a year and some months later.

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

Red Red Rose

A close-up of vibrant red roses surrounded by green leaves and tall grass, with soft sunlight illuminating the scene.
Two vibrant red roses surrounded by green leaves and delicate pink flowers in a grassy setting.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

Sometimes a little detail catches the eye. And keeps catching the eye. And then you take some photo’s. The red roses in the mix at early sunlight.

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

In The Mix

A vibrant garden scene featuring green leaves, a young tree, and bright red flowers in the foreground, illuminated by warm sunlight.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – June 2026

The early sunrise light is almost magical.

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

Heatwave

A view from a wooden table overlooking a vibrant garden with plants, flowers, and outdoor furniture, featuring hanging lanterns and a glass of orange juice.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – June 2026

Climate change seems to kick in, with a heatwave stronger than before the last week. Sit in the garden, having a drink, have a read. Chill.

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

Grey Clouds, Bright Sea

A coastal view featuring a ship on calm waters, with wind turbines visible in the background under a cloudy sky.
The Netherlands, Katwijk – April 2026

Grey clouds over the sunset lit up sea.

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

The End Of King Day

Outdoor dining area with tables and chairs, featuring closed umbrellas; a flag and colorful bunting visible against a sunset sky with clouds.
The Netherlands, Katwijk – April 2026

The sunset of King’s Day in The Netherlands.

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

On The Road At Sunrise

View of the A44 and A4 highways towards Schiphol Amsterdam at sunrise, with wind turbines along the roadside and a clear blue sky transitioning to orange hues.
A scenic view of the A44 and A4 highways leading to Schiphol Amsterdam at sunrise, featuring silhouetted wind turbines and vehicles on the road.
The Netherlands, Haarlemmermeer – September 2025

On the road at sunrise, the A44 and A4 to Schiphol Amsterdam.

I am not sure this is filling the brief of LAPC #373 ‘looking back at landscapes’. It’s more looking forward on the road.

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

Looking East (and for the West)-Berlin

View of the Bundestag offices and pedestrian bridge over the Spree River in Berlin, showcasing modern architecture against a cloudy sky.
Germany, Berlin – September 2025

The last time, before this visit in September, I saw this part of Berlin was in November 1989. This side was West Berlin, the Spree and across was East Berlin. The Berlin Wall cut straight to the right. It was just 20 meters from the East wall of the Reichstag.

Now the Bundestag offices connect both sides of the river. The tension of the Berlin Wall is literally out of sight. But not forgotten. Seven crosses are just outside this frame on the right side. They remind us of the people who tried to flee East Germany and were killed.

Shot with iPhone 15 Pro Max edited using Snapseed and Marksta. Click the picture for a larger version. The monochrome photo of 1989 was shot with Nikon F301 on Kodak TriX.

High Rise Head’s Up Berlin

A modern high-rise building with a curved facade and numerous windows, set against a cloudy sky.
Germany, Berlin – September 2025

This high rising can be found near the  Kaiser Wilhelm Gedächtnis Kirche.

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

Marketing

A street view in Charlottenburg featuring a black car parked in front of two shop windows displaying sale signs and colorful balloons.
Germany, Berlin – September 2025

A street in Charlottenburg.

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

U-Bahn 2

Interior view of the Hausvogteiplatz U-Bahn station in Berlin, featuring tiled walls, a curved platform, and train schedule display.
Germany, Berlin – September 2025

Berlin has a wonderful (and cheap) public transportation infrastructure. One of the building blocks is the U-Bahn. Station Hausvogteiplatz.

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

Eating Out in Berlin

Interior view of a dimly lit restaurant in Berlin, featuring green and orange lighting, decorative hanging lamps, and wooden furniture.
Germany, Berlin – September 2025

Food in Berlin is cheap (and in the right places) good!

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

Reichstag Dome

Monochrome view from inside the Reichstag dome, showing visitors standing on a glass walkway surrounded by geometric architecture.
A monochrome interior view of the Reichstag dome in Berlin, featuring several visitors walking along the curved glass and metal structure. The design showcases intricate geometric patterns, with reflections of the city visible through the transparent surfaces.
Monochrome view from the Reichstag dome in Berlin, showcasing the iconic architecture and city skyline, with visitors exploring the rooftop.
Germany, Berlin – September 2025

The dome on the Reichstag offers a wonderful panoramic view on Berlin. And you can walk the rest of the roof as well to look over the city. Here an impression in monochrome.

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