fotografie – DdO Creatieve Diensten en Consultancy

Delicate underwater architecture

Posted on 22 februari 201721 december 2017 by David den Ouden

(large photos below the text)

Utrecht, photo studio at home
Back in 2000 the WWF – World Wide Fund for Nature – launched the campaign Souvenir Alert. This campaign was launched to stop holidaymakers buying souvenirs made from endangered species as part of combatting the illegal wildlife trade. Each year customs seizes tons of illegal wildlife products. If customs catches you with illegal wildlife products in your luggage like items made out of alligator skin, corals or tortoise shells, you can be in deep trouble. However, the endangered species the products are made of, are in deeper trouble.

The illegal wildlife trade is good for billions of euros each year. “Tourists could be placing some of our most beautiful and unusual wildlife on the road to extinction, all for the sake of an exotic gift,” warned Stuart Chapman, Head of WWF’s Wildlife Trade Programme, back in 2000. The public should be aware – and nowadays luckily is more aware – what to buy and not to buy abroad. Sellers on tropical beaches will ensure you that it is perfectly fine to purchase their products. But often it is not the case. And when in doubt: don’t buy it. In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – when I was there back in 2009 – at the fish market you could see huge collections of shells, corals, complete turtles, dried sharks and stuffed puffer fish. Sad to see, but it is still happening. As long as people are buying, illegal traders try to sell.

The Omgevingsdienst regio Utrecht (Environmental Services region Utrecht) in The Netherlands donated a collection of two crates with ‘wildlife souvenirs’ from a legacy to WWF The Netherlands in June 2014. The collection goes back many years, even decades. Though many of the items are truely beautiful: big pieces of rare coral, beautiful shells, they are illegal to trade. And most of the pieces would get you into serious trouble if customs would find them between your holiday shorts at Schiphol Airport. WWF will use these pieces as show-and-tell to create more awareness of what you should and should not buy on holidays. And of course for people to enjoy their beauty in all its delicate details without the need for damaging the coral reefs far away.

Since I’m a volunteer for WWF in The Netherlands I had access to this collection, mid August 2014 I decided to photograph the corals, starfish, shells and fish. The photos will be used by WWF as well for creating awareness and letting people enjoy the beauty of nature. I’ve photographed the pieces as they were, with all the dust and damage collected over the years. Some photos in the series are the complete pieces, some are close ups to show the fine architecture of these master architects of the oceans and rivers in all of its delicate details. This post is a selection of photos in my photo book ‘Delicate underwater architecture’ for you to enjoy and appreciate this collection of wildlife water specimens in all of its delicate beauty. For esthetic reasons.

Like with all holidays to places with stunning nature: take only pictures or memories, leave only footprints, kill only time.

Goth at the Victorian Picnic

Posted on 11 januari 201721 december 2017 by David den Ouden

Leipzig, Clara-Zetkin-Park
The Victorian Picnic, held every year in the Clara-Zetkin-Park in Leipzig, is a great opportunity to photograph eccentric and beautifully dressed people. A lot of the visitors take pride in their appearance. And they rightfully do so; it has taken many hours if not weeks to create their costumes, find custom accessories and finally do their make-up. It ranges from traditional Victorian dresses to elaborate steam punk contraptions, fantasy figures, cosplay and all kind of cross-overs. This goth gentleman in black dress had a delicate black and white appearance, the big black eyes with sclera lenses contrasting the whitewashed face and hair. The shadow cast by his lace parasol gives a nice pattern on his face, creating depth in the image.

Self portrait in black and white

Posted on 3 januari 201721 december 2017 by David den Ouden

Veluwe, Netherlands
I was enjoying a couple of days in the beautiful forests of the Veluwe in the Netherlands. The morning light on this late Summer’s day was still warm on my face. I loved how the light played with the foliage. I decided to play around with my new pinhole lens and make a series of black and white self portraits with remote control. You can really play with light and dark. The picture revolves around the structures and shapes, shadows become more prominent than details, subtly highlighting my face.

Rotterdam skyline at sunset

Posted on 2 december 201621 december 2017 by David den Ouden

Rotterdam, Kop van Zuid
I just enjoyed a nice high tea at Hotel Amerika at the Kop van Zuid in Rotterdam. I brought my photo gear, since I decided to do some experiments with my pinhole lens (a custom Alexander Dobbie f/157, 44 mm lens). Shooting some panoramas of the harbour and the sky. A lovely October late afternoon and I took a whole series of photos, both HDR and panorama. This photo is composed of 4 photos. I love how the sharp / unsharp effect of the pinhole works and it shifts the focus to colours, the sky and the shapes.

Montane tranquility in Madagascar

Posted on 14 november 201621 december 2017 by David den Ouden

Andringitra National Park, Madagascar.
If you go for the abundancy of wildlife, do not go to Andringitra. Lemurs and birds are there, but a rare encounter. You go to Andringitra for the diverse and stunning landscapes and mountains. You can only get there if it did not rain recently, or the road will be inaccessible. Do not forget to bring your own food and supplies as well. But when you are prepared for a full day hiking, you will be rewarded. Mountains, cliffs, waterfalls, all colours of rock, puddles, high altitude plants, montane bonsai forests. The light constantly plays with the landscape. It is breath taking. From the mountain pools right up to the cliffs. The tranquility, the beauty, the diversity in shades of orange and brown in the scrubs and grass. Just by glancing at the photo, I’m back again.

Cape Buffalos at sunset at Lake Nakuru in Kenya

The mirror at dusk

Posted on 10 november 201621 december 2017 by David den Ouden

Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya.

Lake Nakuru, famous for the large flocks of flamingos. During my visit the numbers were not that great. At the end of an afternoon exploring the shores and cliffs of Lake Nakuru, I was about to head back. The sunset was already on its way. The African buffalos had taken their mud bath and the entire family was walking parallel to the shore lines. Hardly any breeze, so the soft blue evening sky with some illuminated clouds was reflected in the lake. Almost a mirror, reflecting images of the lesser flamingos still foraging. The dusk with still some hints of fresh light illuminated the lake scenery in an a way that gave it a feel of a Magical Realism painting. I’ve rarely seen dusky light paint a landscape so subtle and delicately.