Nikon D300, Focus 90 mm, iso 400, s 1/200s, f /5.6, tripod, double exposure.

On the border from fall to winter you can photograph some nice combinations. I this image I have use the double exposure mode from the camera (yes that is possible with Nikon) allowing my to created a more soft effect. With this kind of images its often: you like it or you hate it.

Online are now the new workshops for 2011

Cover BBC Wildlife Magazine

The BBC Wildlife Magazine is the largest nature magazine in the world with a very wide circulation. And be honest, what is more beautiful for nature photographers to show your images to a wide audience by publishing them in this magazine. For the december issue some of my images of the Giant panda are used including even one for the cover. A great honor of course.

As probably all images of this magnificent animal also this image if made from a captive animal. In a beautiful white setting in the middle of winter I could photograph this mascot of the World Wildlife Fund. The Great pand is seriously treatened and reproduces very slowly. It is estimated that there are around 1400 animals in the wild.

Nikon D300, Focus 90 mm, iso 640, s 1/200s, f /5.6.

Last week the winners of the world’s most prestigious nature photography competition are announced: the Veolia Environment Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010. The organisation recieved more than 32.000 entries from 108 countries. With a picture of an ant in a gentian flower I received a Highly Commended award in the category creative visions of nature. And of course I am very happy with this price.

The image of an ant in a gentian I made during my mission in Liechtenstein for Wild Wonder of Europe. When I spotted the gentians at first I wanted to created an abstract image of the flowers. And then I spotted the ants in the flowers ans I got the idea for this image. But what are those little ants active and the light conditions where poor with almost no depth of field. Eventually I got back and neck pain (caused by almost impossible for ordinary people positions during the shoot), a few sharp images, and then eventually this price. It was worth it…..

Nikon D300, Focus 10 mm, iso 400, s 1/80s, f /7.1.

Last week I made a short visit to the dutch insel Vlieland. Time to relax! All the ingredients were ther for the Island experience: wind, rain, beautiful skies, birds, shells, jellyfish and lots of sand. Every evening it was necessary to clean up the camera equipment with blower brush and a wet towel.

During a evening walk along the beach there was a short magic moment with light, clouds, water and sand. Fortunately the wind had dropped and the sky beautifully reflected in a puddle on the beach.

Nikon D300, Focus 230 mm, iso 640, s 1/200s, f /7.1

And a overall winer, but not for me but for my girlfriend Misja. Recently she received this price from the yearly nature photography contest of the Dutch nature magazine Grasduinen. I am very proud but also very happy because the prize is for a creative striking image. And so is Misja’s nature photography in general. Misja’s work can not be captured within the rigid framework of nature photography in general and that manifest itself in a very creative own style. Check out www.misjasmits.com Nature photography is unlike other forms of photography still very conservative and has a dull image among the general public. There are many causes for this. Think of sublimated hunting instinct or pure registration photography because of biological interest. Certainly nothing wrong with that kind of approach and everyone should just do where he/she feels comfortable with. But another thing is when people, direct or indirectly, hang quality labels at other appoaches or methods than the traditional nature photography. By example good or bad nature photography, real and unreal nature photography, and so on. This irritates me a lot. Basic principle should be respect. Mmm…now I am thinking of the political climate in the Netherlands.

During a walk through a forest near Nijmegen I primarily was focused on fungi. Unfortunately without success. Sometimes it just takes a little while to get the right feeling. At the end of the walk Misja and I decided to visit a pancake restaurant. A very tame eurasian jay visited the terrace, and give us some good photographice opportunities. Near the terrace for a second a blue tit sat in a beautiful autumn setting and allowed me one shot. Traditional but fun anyway. For me the messenger of a hopefully colorful autumn.