about

Photography as Art

Few people regard photography as an art. Having a camera and mastering its basic technique does not make a photographer an artist. Sadly, few photographers develop a proper visual vocabulary and personal style. Initially, I lacked these qualities as well.

Education and Influences

Having had no formal training as a photographer I learnt by watching documentaries and educational videos, attending workshops, reading books and persistently studying the old masters and contemporary photographers. I am inspired by photographers like Joel Tjintjelaar, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Paolo Roversi, Michael Kenna, Michael Levin and many others.

Style, Themes, and Technique

I strongly favour elements of minimalism and surrealism and constantly explore the themes of mood and ethereal beauty. I constantly look for the interplay between light and shadows, tones and mood. My photographs can be silent, and serene; at other times sad or even melancholic. For me, the viewer's imagination must run its own course.

Although my favourite subjects are landscapes, seascapes, architecture, and urban scenery, I am not bound to any particular subject. Being in search of beauty that can be found anywhere, even in the most unexpected places, I have to follow wherever my muse leads me.

I make extensive use of long exposures. I explore long exposures through the use of a tripod, neutral density filters and shutter release cable. The slow shutter speeds add mood and depth. The film or sensor absorbs the light over an extended period and as time passes, some of the details are blurred, while the overall forms, shapes, tone and beauty of the light remain. Thus, my pictures become more surreal and the images become almost transcendental, as if from an imaginary world.

Gear

Currently I'm using Nikon Z mirrorless cameras and lenses.

• Nikon Z7ii (main camera)
• Nikon Z5 (backup camera)
• Nikon Z 14-24mm f2.8 S
• Nikon Z 24-70mm f4 S
• Peak Design Carbon Fibre Tripod
• Nisi V7 filter holder and filters
• Thinktank Retrospective Backpack 15

Current Projects

Some projects that have my divided attention:

• Seascapes

Q & A

What are your favourite themes and subject matter?

My favourite subject is seascapes. However, I am in search of beauty. I think beauty can be found anywhere and everywhere, so I wouldn't want to limit myself to a particular subject. For me the subject does not matter, but rather my personal artistic impression and interpretation of it. I am happy to shoot any subject if it relates to my philosophy and style.

Describe your personal style: what is it that makes you unique or different?

Albert Einstein said that "the secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources". No photographer should boast that their work is completely unique. Every one of the contemporary masters developed their aesthetics, philosophies, and techniques by finding inspiration from the old masters or other sources. I am the same. My style is not completely unique. There are so many photographers whose works look very similar to mine, or rather mine look similar to theirs! Obviously, I will have images that no one else has because the world is just so big!

I am particularly interested in exploring surrealism, minimalism, mood and beauty. I prefer creating images which depict a surrealist mood, which is a theme I am constantly exploring.

Your images covered by this conversation mainly are captioned as "study". Are you attempting to explore, or are you just passionate about creativity?

One of the reasons I often name my images "studies" is to indicate that I have put some thought into the creation of the images. The term "study" differentiates it from a mere snapshot.