This photo captures a view of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge from the banks of the Vltava River, on the side of the Old Town, at sunset. Prague Castle, one of the largest ancient castles in the world, has been the seat of Czech kings and presidents for centuries. The iconic Charles Bridge, built in the 14th century, connects the Old Town with the Lesser Town and is lined with statues of saints. It’s one of the most visited landmarks in Prague, offering great views of both the river and the castle - Prague, Czech Repbulic
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Every city has its icons. Brussels has Manneken Pis, and Bremen has the famous statue of the Four Musicians. During our visit to Bremen, we stumbled upon this iconic statue, which is inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale. Created by Gerhard Marcks in 1953, it shows a donkey, dog, cat, and rooster stacked on top of each other, symbolizing teamwork and unity. In the story, these aging animals, no longer wanted by their owners, decide to run away to Bremen to become musicians. Along the way, they manage to outsmart a group of robbers and find a new home, even though they never actually reach Bremen. Interestingly, we had seen a similar statue in Riga, Latvia. It was a gift from Bremen in 1990 to celebrate the friendship between the two Hanseatic cities - Bremen, Germany
On the first morning of our stay in Prague I left the hotel early to take some pictures of the Old Town Square, which was very close to where we were staying. The Old Town Square is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most famous and historic squares in Europe. We believe it even has an edge over the famous Grand Place in Brussels, which is also a World Heritage site. Since the 12th century, the square has witnessed many significant events in Prague's history, including public executions, political demonstrations, and celebrations.The square features several important buildings. The Old Town Hall, built in 1338, that houses the famous Astronomical Clock (Prague Orloj), installed in 1410. It is the third-oldest astronomical clock in the world and the oldest one still operating. The Church of Our Lady before Týn, an iconic Gothic church built in the 14th century, dominates the square with its twin spires and richly decorated interior. St. Nicholas Church, a beautiful Baroque church from the 18th century, that is known for its impressive interior and regular classical music concerts. In the center of the square stands the Jan Hus Memorial, commemorating the religious reformer who was burned at the stake in 1415 for his beliefs. The square is also surrounded by numerous cafés, restaurants, and shops, making it a lively spot for both tourists and locals. The early morning light adds a special charm to this historic site. At 5:30 AM, there are hardly any people, which is a stark contrast to the later hours of the morning, afternoon, or evening. Experiencing the square before the city fully awakens is truly a remarkable experience - Prague, Czech Republic
While we were in Magdeburg, we visited the Grüne Zitadelle with our guide. This building, along with the Dom, is one of the city's most famous landmarks. It was designed by Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser and finished in 2005, five years after his death.The Grüne Zitadelle stands out because of its bright colors, unusual shapes, and lots of greenery. Hundertwasser wanted his buildings to be in harmony with nature, and you can see this with the many trees and plants on the balconies and rooftops.The building is used for many things; it has apartments, offices, shops, a hotel, a kindergarten, and a restaurant where they prepared an excellent dorade for us.The Grüne Zitadelle reminded us of Gaudi’s buildings in Barcelona with its playful and nature-inspired design. However, if we had to compare, we think Gaudi’s architecture clearly has an edge over the work of Hundertwasser - Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt,
I took this shot from the north side of Domplatz in Magdeburg, with the Landtag building in view and the fountains splashing away in the foreground. I had to get down on my knees close to the fountains for this angle, which resulted in wet pants and a few splashes on my camera… 😅 The Landtag of Saxony-Anhalt, housed in the old Prussian Government Building, is where the state’s laws are made. Domplatz, named after the nearby Magdeburg Cathedral, is not only surrounded by impressive historic buildings but is also a fun spot where kids and the elderly enjoy the fountains, and where many events take place – Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
The old railway bridge over the Elbe caught our attention on our first evening in Magdeburg. The next morning, I decided to return to the bridge to capture the city's skyline over the Elbe during the golden hour. It's not a very artistic shot, but it's definitely something that belongs in your travel album and could be a good shot to sell as stock photography - Magdeburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
Impressions of a morning stroll in Cadzand-Bad... There's something incredibly relaxing about a sunny morning walk along the beach, especially when it's not yet too hot and there's a light breeze. These pictures capture the serene beauty and calm of those early hours, making it a perfect start to the day - Cadzand-Bad, Zeeland, the Netherlands.
Last Sunday, I had the fun (and slightly chaotic) task of photographing the MrT2024 Triathlon in Ghent. The event, as usual, didn’t disappoint—it was packed with excitement and plenty of sweat. The MrTTriathlon featured various race distances, including Sprint and Olympic categories, which attracted a wide range of athletes, from weekend warriors to hardcore pros, all converging from across Europe.This triathlon was just one stop in a series that took place throughout the year across Europe, with each event showcasing different distances and formats. Whether you had been a seasoned triathlete or just someone who loved the buzz of a good race, there was something for everyone. Today, I’m sharing some shots that captured the action. I hope you enjoy this little slice of triathlon life! Ghent, Belgium
At the most recent Ghent Festival, I was commissioned to take portraits of participants in the Keizer Karel Stoet, also known as the Emperor Charles Parade. With the help of two other photographers, I captured nearly 50 couples at the Augustinian Monastery. The participants were dressed in period costumes for the 2024 edition of this historic parade, which marked its 50th occurrence. The Emperor Charles Parade commemorates the complex relationship between Emperor Charles V and the people of Ghent, particularly the "Gentse Stroppendragers," who were forced to wear symbolic nooses as a sign of submission following a rebellion - Ghent, Belgium
Composition made on the beach of Cadzand on a rainy, heavily overcast day. The moody weather adds a unique charm to the scenery. – Cadzand, Zeeland, the Netherlands
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WELCOME TO MY PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG AND PORTFOLIO. MY GOAL IS TO DOCUMENT THE WORLD AROUND ME, FROM THE SMALL DETAILS OF EVERYDAY LIFE TO THE GRAND LANDSCAPES THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY. WHETHER I'M AT HOME OR TRAVELING TO NEW PLACES, I AM ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW AND INTERESTING SUBJECTS TO PHOTOGRAPH. MY PHOTOGRAPHS ARE A VISUAL DIARY OF MY EXPERIENCES AND A WAY TO SHARE THE WORLD AS I SEE IT WITH OTHERS. I HOPE YOU ENJOY EXPLORING MY COLLECTION AND DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD THROUGH MY LENS.
About me:
Before: Healthcare Exec. Based in Brussels; Heidelberg; Los Altos Hills, CA; The Hague, Geneva, Nijmegen, Groningen
Now: Non-Executive Director in the Healthcare Industry based in Ghent. A travel buff with a passion for photography, photography books, Leica, wine and Asian food. Last but not least: proud grandfather of William, Nicholas and Mateo. |