What's (in) the Picture?

Chris Breebaart Photography – finding stories

Posts tagged ‘sun’

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.

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

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

Into The Blue

A serene twilight sky featuring deep blue and darker hues with soft, wispy clouds near the horizon.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2026

Clouds and sky, into the wide open.

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

In The Dirty Window

A black and white close-up of mint leaves in a pot, with a pair of scissors placed beside it, against a slightly dirty window background.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – August 2026

Herbs in the kitchen window that needs a wash.

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.

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

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

Zig Zag

A picturesque sky filled with soft, wispy clouds against a blue backdrop, with a subtle sunset glow reflecting off the clouds and a faint jet trail crossing the scene.
A beautiful sky filled with clouds, showcasing a gradient of colors from blue to soft orange and hints of pink, indicating either dawn or dusk.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – July 2026

The evening sunset sky, offers a wider range of colours. And cloud shapes.

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

Somewhere only we know

A dramatic view of a cloudy sky with varying shades of gray and hints of sunlight breaking through the clouds, creating an atmospheric and moody scene.
England, Longfield – Hartley – June 2026

The skies over Kent.

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

Summer Rose

A close-up of a rose bush with bright yellow flowers, supported by stakes, set against a softly lit background of trees and greenery.
The Netherlands., Oegstgeest – June 2026

LAPC #403 focuses on photography tools: perspective, depth and scale. Roses in the warm after sunrise light.

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

The End of Allium

Close-up of a round flower head with multiple thin stems and small buds, photographed in black and white.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – June 2026

LAPC #403 focuses on photography tools: perspective, depth and scale. Normally it is better to cut the flower off after it has died, to keep the food in the bulb for next year. But an Allium turns into something quite spectacular.

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

Allium Times

A close-up of a pink flower surrounded by lush greenery and soft blurred background, showcasing nature's beauty.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – May 2026

LAPC #403 focuses on photography tools: perspective, depth and scale. Sometimes framing helps to tell a story.

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

Alone

A close-up of a round purple flower with thin petals, growing on a green stem against a stone surface.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – May 2026

LAPC #403 focuses on photography tools: perspective, depth and scale. A ‘iPhone long shot’ of an Allium.

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

Greens leaves

A field of tall, golden grass illuminated by soft sunlight against a dark background.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – May 2026

LAPC #403 focuses on photography tools: perspective, depth and scale. Here a little detail on a sunny morning. The sunny backlight in the undergrowth.

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

Sun Screen

A dramatic sky filled with dark clouds and a bright opening revealing the sun, creating a contrast between light and shadows.
A cloudy sky with the sun peeking through, creating a halo effect around it.
A dramatic, monochromatic image of a cloudy sky with varying cloud formations and light peeking through.
A black and white image of a cloudy sky with light peeking through, creating a dramatic atmosphere.
Dramatic black and white image of a cloudy sky with varying cloud formations and light peeking through.
Black and white image of a cloudy sky with a visible sun behind the clouds, featuring a textured, dot-pattern overlay.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – June 2026

The sky is an amazing object. It is always there, but we only pay attention to it a few times a day. When there are rain clouds, if it is blue, if the sun comes up, or goes down. And yet, living in a country with a low horizon, it is part of our life. At times a little message comes in making me pay attention. And do something simple, playful with the sky, the clouds and the sun. I admit, mostly near sunset time. Here six photos of the sky taken through a sun screen of a roof window. I do hope you enjoy them.

Lens Artists Photo Challenge #402 is a return to the first ever LAPC: wonder. I added a ‘sky’ archive. It is just an indicator of the role the sky has in my photos, 700 plus photos, so that is a long browse :-). You are warned.

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

Coast Crawler Trawler

A serene seascape featuring a small fishing boat in the foreground, with a large cargo ship in the distance and wind turbines visible on the horizon, under an overcast sky.
The Netherlands, Katwijk – May 2026

The theme of LAPC #398 is ‘choose your color’. The brief is to present a photo with a dominant color. Despite being a big fan of monochrome, I do love colors. The fun of colors is their subjectivity; any color has fans and haters. The sense making of colors is as diverse as people are unique. And that’s good. We need colors and images in our life to tell our stories.

So here you can choose between silver and grey. Or both :-).

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

Summer Approaching

Outdoor dining area with tables and chairs, featuring red umbrellas and blue sky in the background.
The Netherlands, Katwijk – May 2026

Summer is coming nearer, but the present temperatures are not matching that. But behind the glass, out of the wind, being on the beach is a pleasant stay.

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

Strand at the Beach

A flag flying on a pole against a blue sky with wispy clouds.
The Netherlands, Katwijk – May 2026

The theme of LAPC #398 is ‘choose your color’. The brief is to present a photo with a dominant color. Despite being a big fan of monochrome, I do love colors. The fun of colors is their subjectivity; any color has fans and haters. And sometimes the use or non use of colors stems from group think.

The sense making of colors is as diverse as people are unique. And that’s good. We need colors and images in our life to tell our stories. Today I stick with blue. Colors are context dependent, hence subjective. Blue is a lot of times associated with sorrow, pain, loss, or life experience. And it creates the most beautiful music.

I’m Mister Blue
I’m here to stay with you
and no matter what you do
when you’re lonely, I’ll be lonely too

René Klijn

While a deep blue sky might express power, focus and the absence of worries. Be any color you want.

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

Golden Birch

A close-up view of tree branches illuminated by golden sunlight against a blue sky.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – April 2026

Sunset and golden hour.

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

Entangled Sun

Silhouette of bare trees against a sunset sky with warm hues.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – March 2026

The sun in a web of branches.

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

Spring Sunrise

A serene landscape depicting a sunrise through bare trees, with soft golden light illuminating the garden and distant houses.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – March 2026

The sun beaming through as it rises. 

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

Sunrise in black and grey

Silhouette of bare trees against a misty sky with the sun partially visible in black and white.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest –

A monochrome sunrise in black and greys.

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

Capturing Spring Rain: Foreground, Middle, and Background

A close-up view of a flowering branch with purple buds and newly sprouting leaves, set against a backdrop of blurred rain and greenery.
The Netherlands, Oegstgeest – March 2026

A shower of Spring rain with sun lighting up the drops. Setting the scene in the middle ground as the foreground and background form the stage setting. The theme of this week’s LAPC (#392) is ‘foreground, middle and background’.

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

A matter of taste and choice – Episode 4

A black and white landscape featuring a winding road beside a small canal, under a cloudy sky with the sun visible.
A scenic view of a winding path next to a small canal, surrounded by lush green fields under a clear sky with sun and wispy clouds.
The Netherlands, Voorhout – March 2026

If you visit my blog – like I hope you do or from now start to do – you must have recognized my ‘old’ love for monochrome. When I started this hobby, mono was fashionable and a standard for news photography. And it was cheaper. In this series I offer you two versions of a photo. And you can prefer one over the other, or not.

This week’s theme is ‘Time to relax’. On a bicycle ride through fields where soon bulb flowers will pop up, together with other cyclists. This is a piece of a polder showing the low horizon in the sun.

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

A matter of choice and taste – Episode 3

Black and white landscape photo showing a plowed field on the left and a dirt road bordered by a fence on the right. The sun is shining brightly in the sky with distant trees and power lines visible in the background.
Panoramic view of a plowed agricultural field with a dirt road bordered by a fence and utility poles under a clear sky.
The Netherlands, Voorhout – March 2026

If you visit my blog – like I hope you do or from now start to do – you must have recognized my ‘old’ love for monochrome. When I started this hobby, mono was fashionable and a standard for news photography. And it was cheaper. In this series I offer you two versions of a photo. And you can prefer one over the other, or not.

This week’s theme is ‘Time to relax’. On a bicycle ride through fields where soon bulb flowers will pop up, together with other cyclists. Thought I am not really sure about this piece of land, it is just been plowed it seems.

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