Between the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk flows the small river Het Nieuwe Waterschap. During recent harsh winter days, a thin layer of ice lay here, formed in several stages. The transitions between these ice layers created beautiful lines and ice patterns here among the windmills of Kinderdijk that adorned this winter landscape. The snow remained best on the oldest ice, making the patterns even clearer. These ice structures guided the eye like a perfect leading line towards the reeds and the windmills. The sky was simple, with only vague layers of clouds, so that all attention fell on the ice in the foreground. It is precisely this contrast that makes the photo powerful for me.
Snow Connects People
Winter conditions often bring people closer together. During my walk, almost everyone greeted me. A visitor from Antwerp had come especially to see this snowy landscape. A local resident enjoyed a lunch break walk. It felt as though snow softened not only the surroundings but also people’s moods. Although I am not always inclined to engage in conversation, the shared presence in this white scenery held something truly special.
A Personal Challenge with Passion
Capturing such conditions requires great physical effort. Normally, I use a walker, yet with so much snow it was impossible. Therefore, I proceeded purely on adrenaline, determined to seize the moment. Later I would pay the price in overtiredness, yet the mental refresh was worth it. My fingers felt frozen, but the satisfaction of taking these photographs outweighed the discomfort. Snow, ice, and windmills together create the perfect conditions for my landscape photography passion.
Experience Kinderdijk at Home – Support My Work
Would you like this winter scene on your wall? My photo Ice Patterns Kinderdijk is available via Art Heroes in various sizes. In addition, you can support my work through Ko-fi, helping me to continue capturing magical moments in the future.
View more photos via the link, which, like this one, are part of my portfolio ‘Famous windmills’.