After a long break, I was finally able to go out with my camera again. Because of a fractured vertebra, I had been unable to practise landscape photography for more than four months. This time, I needed a location that was accessible and not too demanding physically. Somewhere to spend time outdoors, enjoy the surroundings and rediscover the familiar feeling of photography.
Looking for a Quiet Composition
I chose Bruinisse, along the Oosterschelde. It was low tide, so a large part of the shoreline was visible. The grass-like plants in the foreground added a little extra structure to the composition. While I was looking for the right composition, the sky gradually became more interesting. The clouds were dramatic and full of contrast, changing constantly above the water.
Zeeland and Schouwen-Duiveland remain beautiful areas for landscape photography. They feel spacious and peaceful, especially compared with the busy Randstad region. The many road closures made getting there more challenging than usual, but I was grateful to arrive.
Sunrise at Low Tide on the Oosterschelde
The sunrise turned out to be more demanding than expected. I had hoped to keep things simple, but the difference between the dark foreground and the bright light shining through the clouds was too great to capture with filters alone.
I therefore created a bracketed exposure series: one normally exposed image, one stop underexposed and another two stops underexposed. Later, I combined the images in Lightroom and Photoshop. My mind had to switch gears again. It was challenging, but once I started photographing, the process quickly felt familiar. Sometimes photography really is like riding a bicycle: you do not forget how to do it.
Returning to Photography Step by Step
I am extremely grateful that I was able to go out again. Alongside my fractured vertebra, I also received a difficult chronic diagnosis. Not everything has a simple solution, which means I am learning to listen to my body more carefully.
Landscape photography remains my outlet. When I cannot go out regularly, I notice it in my mood. These images were taken several weeks ago. In the past, I liked to publish my photographs on the same day. That is no longer possible, but I am moving forward step by step.
The photographs are available as fine art prints or digital files. More work from Zeeland and other landscapes will follow whenever my health allows it.
View more photos via the link, which, like this one, are part of my portfolio ‘Lakes & Rivers‘.