Platinum Palladium Experience

In March 2020 I had 4 images hanging in the Dylan Ellis Gallery.

Together with print master Bob Carnie we printed my digital captured portraits in an alternative way. Or actually I should say “original way”.

Platinum Palladium is an old printing technique and its beauty and archival quality are un-surpassed.

Have a look at this video from Toronto’s Magenta Foundation about the exhibit with a word from Bob Carnie himself.

The Palladium portrait will be up soon!

Gallery Tour by Bob Carnie of Dylan Ellis Gallery, Artist in Residence Show, March 2020

My images are on 4.55

The Wandmaker

I meet a lot of interesting people. But meeting a Wand Maker was new for me. At least in this life. 

Steven White is from a long lineage of magicians who are capable of blending into society as muggles. I knew when I met him he was something else. Whether its the creative abilities that give a hint of his magical nature or that twinkle in his eyes. For sure it was clear that he had not succumbed to the gravity of a TV addicted society, or to the loneliness of cubicles and fantasy less politics. No, he maintained his true nature in a multi layered existence and continued what he could do best: making wands for the magician community. 

I was invited into his unusual round shaped home and then into his depot and atelier. Here he creates, measures, infuses, and decorates the very best wands that Canada has to offer.

I was honoured to have been allowed into his domain and portray him, so his legacy may continue beyond this space and time.

Want to wave your wand and get things done? http://www.whiteswands.com

Chamonix

Definitely on of my most favourite places on earth. 

I was away for a few days from the hustle and bustle in Holland and my wife Liesbeth and I just escaped to this magical place in the Swiss Alps. Good boots, water and a snack and we both ascend easily for six hours until we arrive at the lake where mountain goats feel at home. This time I had my Olympus with me and I had to stop myself from constantly taking pictures. On the third day I was so infused with this landscape, so relaxed and so connected with my soul, the only thing I could do was crying. Tears of pain, beauty, battle and release all in one conscious gush overflowing my limited human existence. Liesbeth and I just sat there in silence until finally we were ready to head out to the airport again and step in a different dimension. Next time I take a 50MP camera with me and do a project here! Wait for it :-)

a dream path...

Capturing Deer

You might think I am some kind of epic wildlife photographer but the truth is those deer are very tame. They reside in a dune like area (reserved for water purification) somewhere in the Netherlands, grazing and making people smile. Made me smile at least. Such a lovely animals.

Yo! What's up?

Track and Field

Ontario track and field racing at the Waterloo Campus.

Here Laurier Golden Hawk Track runner Emrys is trying to keep up with some insane fast students.

The track and field team of Laurier.

Sailing Regatta, Kingston Canada

I witnessed and photographed the CORK REGATTA in Kinston Ontario last fall.

Optimists, Lasers, 420's and many more took the field on a beautiful autumn morning.

Here are the optimist class boats going to their race field. I was standing there and suddenly I saw this image that many before me have seen too. For hundreds or thousands of years fisherman went out on to the sea while others stayed  ashore and watched them spread out into the vast emptiness. Since I grew up in Holland (Netherlands) I have seen some old fishing ships take sea just like that. So here I saw this similar pattern of little boats scattering over the lake again. Just a wonderful moment.

Niagara Falls

What you see below looks like green marble, but is in fact the whirling waters at the bottom of the Niagara Falls in Canada. The falls are very impressive, the buildings around it certainly not. An astonishing amount of water flows over a very large bow shaped ridge and pushes itself through this gorge shaped canal where tourists like me can make photos. Would love to have seen this place a 300 years ago.

Still it is an amazing place!

Album Cover

I have been making an album cover. The band is called "Half Moon Run" and the album selected was  "Sun Leads Me On". It was a challenge, but I did it. This is my interpretation of their music on that album. Maybe next time they choose me to do their album, ha ha.

I shot it in Toronto on a cold winters day. But listening to the album I felt that the presence of a sun was definitely needed amongst the winters capes and some melancholy.  It was a pleasure to do this challenge and get to hear for me new Canadian talents along the way!

Running Magazine.

Project "magazine" turned into a running magazine cover. Just because I love trail running.

Trail running in the winter can be challenging but also very beautiful and pleasantly lonely.

In this image I wanted to mix the difficult part of running through snow trails together with the energy that you get out of trail running in nature.

The magazine is fictional, just in case you go shopping for it.

Project Food Photography

I am passionate about food, and about making images of this necessary feast.

The recipe is sweet potatoes from the oven with sage, and roasted sunflower seeds.

Try it!

Project "Rites of Passage"

Rites of Passage

There have been many Rites of Passages in the past but right now there are still passages I go through. This image shows symbolic use of poses inspired by classical paintings as well as the use of horses (spirit on earth) and butterflies (transformation). It represents the human who reaches out to his soul while longing for the integration with the divine. In this spiritual proces of constantly letting go of perceptions, the body can feel quite heavy. It’s a solo voyage (egg) where you can't apply any force (egg) or power, just allow the journey; therefor the night is the best and quietest time for the inner communications. (no stock images used)

Project Fatherhood

Before you know it, fatherhood changes, and the father role transforms into memories.
Children grow fast, relying on their own insights, starting to operate out of the safe space you provided.
The most important thing I learned, and tried to sustain, is the support for my children's passions. No matter what passion, it's the strongest fuel to experience life and love. In return, passion reappeared in my life just when it had slipped away. 
But there is also play. Play and keep playing. It keeps the connection alive and breaks that little wall that might grow between us. Play and keep the joy in life and relations.
And I have learned the importance of listening. Even when I thought I was right, or when I did not get it at all. Listening to my children and giving them my attention as an equal member of the family and no less than that.

Project - Trust

The initial project was "faith" but I like it better as "trust". Faith to me has to many old religious connotations which makes it less appealing to me than trust. As in trust into my Self. Trust that what I encounter is always right for me since I created this myself. Trust is also my step into the unknown, the key to unfolding new potentials.
Interestingly trust can't be measured, and is not subject to the Laws of Nature like time and gravity (hence Newton’s apples). I also believe that you can't really do  trust but rather have trust since trust is not rational and this is harder for the mind to grasp or to rely on. 
Still trust is a big game changer in my life. I love it.

Project - Motherhood

The mother or motherhood is watching over the sea, also called the "tears of mankind”, or all that is. Motherhood represents the feminine and encompasses care, heart and the connection to all that is. In this image I did not see the need to show children as they are always in a women's heart. Here she stands and reconnects with what feeds her, to pass it on to others in her life.