Let' talk about an introvert's perspective on landscape photography

Yes, a long title of today's blog but I can not think of an other one.

Gurushots "The World's Greatest Photo Game", I am one of the participants, on and off.
I noticed that taking part for a longer period, many of the challenges are more or less the same and therefore more or less boring. Staying away for several months can refresh my view on the challenges.

Returning after a while helps to notice the trends in photography. Trends are good, they keep it alive and challenging. It moves the boundaries within photography, the way we look at people, objects and landscapes. Even the most conservative photographer may adopt a new view, although......

Introversion "a personality trait characterized by a focus on internal feelings rather than on external sources of stimulation"
Do not misunderstand an introvert, we are not shy and or timid. We might look like hermits, but we are not. We are well aware of the world around us, but we rather observe it than jumping up and down or running around in all it's liveliness, afraid missing something of which we are not aware yet, surrounded by many people.
If we take a photo, we carefully observe the spot and click with our feelings and techniques.
We love often unobserved details but we also love the wide views.
Above all, we love wandering around natures beauty on our own, regaining our energy, enjoying the solitude. Or with a like minded close friend.
I know for instance, that showing a group of photographers my favourite spots, does not add to the quality of my photos. None of my photos show my feelings of what I love, I was too distracted. On the other hand, being with a close friend who understands and uses the beauty of the surrounding, my photos are of a much better quality.

Well, what has Gurushots to do with Introversion.
One of the most persistent trends in landscape photography is people standing in the middle of the lens view, raising their arms and therefore, in my humble opinion, spoiling the view of an otherwise beautiful photo of an even more beautiful landscape.

Photo: Ike Roelfsema Photography

Please do not get me wrong, I do not mind people in landscape photos but only when it adds something like a perspective: a tiny person in a large world. An indication of the dimensions. A mountaineer surrounded by majestic mountains. You know what I mean.
But not dominating the photo. And why with raised arms? Is it to express their appreciation for Mother Nature? For the beauty I can't see because they block my view? Or is it "I made it, I conquered nature, I won!"

These photos are more and more seen on photo sites and oh boy, do I dislike it. To me it is the sound of a radio with music I do not want to hear, a ghetto blaster. An irritating noise. A stain I want to wipe off.
I want to shout "Go away, you spoil my view!!" To me it belongs in the category 'holiday pictures' and not Landscape Photography.
Fortunately technique allows me not to like the photo and to move on to the next. Nobody is forcing me to like it, it is my free choice as is it the free choice of the photographer for this composition.
A composition gaining popularity. So much that I am very curious to know why.
Because "Why???" is the question that remains. "Why on earth do you put someone in front of your lens in the middle of a breath taking view? And why oh why, someone with raised arms?"

Another fast growing trend is sexy half dressed ladies in photos which subjects have nothing to do with artistic nudes. I do not mind an artistic nude, particularly when the photographer understands
the use of light.
Believe me there is a huge difference to this and a half dressed sexy girl distracting your attention of what really matters: the background or original subject. To me it often feels if the only goal is to collect likes with the girl instead of the photographic skills.

I know, I know, I think and act like the Introvert I am. Time to pause from Gurushots when my last challenge ends. Time to explore the Wadden Sea, time to explore solitude.

Love,

Helen

Let's talk about settling

It has been a while since my move from one little village to another.
In my previous blog post I was still sorting all my belongings and packing numerous removal boxes.

I was surprised how many things one can gather over the years. It was a mix of more then one household and what wasn't needed or 'to sort out on short term but it never happened' was boxed and stored in the garage.
Anyone who moved more than once will admit that it is the best opportunity to get rid of what you never missed over the past years, or what you probably will not use in the future. Or more realistic, what does not fit in the new home which is considerably smaller then the previous home.

Apart from taking much to the skip and the charity shop, I was also able to provide friends with nice things. Giving is so much nicer than selling, particularly when a happy face says "Thank you!"
I could not have done otherwise than giving warm hearted because I was surrounded by wonderful people who took the time to help me shifting. One couple even cooked meals for me! And not to forget the moral support from friends all over the world. I know, what ever I gave them, it will never be enough to express how thankful I was and still am.

I will not go deeper into the move other than that it was a logistic nightmare but I survived. The weeks or even months around the move can best be described as a 'tough job with lots of over time'  and a 'full time work out'. And yes, my physical condition definitely improved! (There is always a good side to everything!)

I loved my previous house, I lived there for over 10 years without one day of regret and I felt so sorry for the house that I was not able to maintain it anymore. It deserved new caring owners and that is what it got.
But I also love my new home, a small rental cottage in a fishing village close to the Wadden Sea.
From day one I felt comfortable and at ease. Of course, decorated with precious items which have been in the family for many generations, I had to feel at home. But it is not just that. It is the home it self. Built in 1890 and gently renovated over the past century, it is now up to the modern standards but still with originally features such as beams and wooden floors.

It does not have a garden at the back but a nice cosy patio where I spend more time reading and enjoying the sun than I ever did before.
It is situated in a tiny but very hospitable fishing village with a church with an 800 year old tower where the church bells still ring every 30 minutes to announce the time. I love the sound!
There is a wonderful Pub 'De Kalkman' where they serve several local brewed beers and very tasty food for very reasonable prices.

I also love the sound of the seagulls, geese and all other Wadden birds. I love the smell of the Wad.
I love that special light near the coast which changes every other minute.
A day can not start better than standing on top of the dike watching the clouds, the sun, the tides, an occasional sailing boat spending the night and waiting for high tide to leave again.

A village is only hospitable by to the people living here. They made me feel very welcome, do not

Photo by Ike Roelfsema Photography

hesitate to introduce them selves and to take the time to talk to me. I already received home grown apples, plums and raspberries.
They asked me to participate in the Village Fair by creating an oil painting (first time in my life).
The Fair was so nice although I did not attend the big parties at night. All streets were decorated with colourful small flags and lights and home made artistic creations which have been photographed by the many tourists that enjoy the village and the Wadden Sea.

I love the sunshine but also the rain and are looking forward to the famous sea mist that suddenly appears to cover the village in a mysterious soft grey light. I love the spectacular sunsets and cloud formations.
I do not have to explain my camera being my loyal companion.....

Happiness my dear readers, is all around me and I realize how very fortunate I am.
I share this happiness with you and if you ever want to visit 'my' village drop me a message.

Lots of love,

Helen