After strolling through Ostend for a couple of days, it's hard to overlook the city's transformation. Once hailed as one of the coast's gems, it now wears a cloak of architectural chaos and aesthetic dismay. The grandeur of yesteryears, which began during the era of King Leopold I and later continued under King Leopold II, along with the artistic legacy of luminaries like Ensor and Permeke in the 19th century and persisted until the end of the interbellum, has been overshadowed by the towering presence of uninspired apartment blocks and houses from the 1960s. At times, the sight is so jarring that it borders on the comical - Westerkawartier, Ostend, Belgium
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After immersing myself in Ostend's streets for a few days, it's impossible to ignore the city's evolution from its heyday at the end of the 19th century until the end of the interbellum. Once celebrated as a coastal gem, it now grapples with architectural disarray and a lackluster aesthetic. Yet, amidst this urban tumult, a burst of creativity has emerged. Local and international artists have been invited to Ostend to adorn its streets with vibrant murals and street art. Today, street art and murals stand as integral elements of Ostend's cultural fabric, enticing visitors to wander its alleys with a fresh sense of curiosity and delight - Westerkwartier, Ostend, Belgium
Yesterday, we embarked on a city walk, exploring the world of street art in an often-overlooked district of Ostend: the Westerkwartier. This area is seldom frequented by tourists, yet it boasts diverse architecture, ranging from traditional Belgian townhouses to more modern buildings. It’s an area of Oostende that caters more to locals than to tourists. Amidst the cacophony of diverse architectural forms, I stumbled upon a seemingly mundane apartment building. However, within its unassuming facade, an interesting composition captured my attention, despite the building's lack of overall aesthetic appeal. – Westerkwartier, Oostende, Belgium
As mentioned in yesterday’s post, these are the second batch of photographs from our recent outing with the grandchildren to Circus Barones. I call them the B-sides or the leftovers. Nevertheless, I believe they are interesting images, or as a Norwegian photographer and friend of mine would say, 'they have some potential.' Of course, I leave the final judgment to you - Circus Barones, Kortrijk, Belgium
Today and in the coming days, I'll be sharing something entirely different... No street photography, landmarks, or cityscapes, but rather a small series documenting our visit to the circus. Much like in my project "Urban Serendipity," I found that high-contrast black and white images were the ideal choice to capture the acrobatics of the circus. We visited Circus Barones in Kortrijk with our grandchildren, and it was an absolute blast! From the trained animals to the trapeze acts, hoopers, tightrope walkers, and jugglers, the performers kept both the children and us, I must admit, on the edge of our seats. We thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. It's no surprise that Circus Barones is a hit in Flanders! They've been delighting audiences across the country since 2002 - Circus Barones, Kortrijk, Belgium
Captured during a leisurely stroll downtown on one of the rare sunny mornings in March, I'm always on the lookout for images to enhance my projects or to simply capture moments that catch my eye. This particular scene falls into the latter category. It's a reflection of Korenlei in the Leie—a unique perspective on one of Ghent's landmark locations, with the presence of the little duck adding a charming finishing touch - Graslei, Ghent, Belgium.
Yesterday, we took a leisurely stroll close to home and visited the Botanical Garden of Ghent University. This beautiful garden boasts several glasshouses, each housing a diverse collection of plants from around the world. These glasshouses offer controlled environments that mimic the natural habitats of the plants, providing visitors with the opportunity to explore various ecosystems in one location. As we walked around the glasshouses, I noticed how the plants inside pushed their leaves against the glass, almost as if they wanted to escape from the cramped environment. From the outside, it created a colorful and interesting sight - Plantentuin, Ghent, Belgium
Recently, my posts have featured a mix of new and older work. For the older pieces, I've delved into my archives, searching for images to enhance my long-term project, Urban Serendipity, which initially began as Urban Solitude. Currently, I maintain two versions of this project: one in color and another in black and white. As I prepare for an upcoming exhibition in November, I'm still undecided on which version to showcase. While some suggest that combining color and monochrome images is seamless, I remain skeptical. Nevertheless, this particular shot, captured during a summer stroll through downtown Ghent in 2014, caught my eye for two reasons. Firstly, the two women engaged in conversation against the backdrop of the weathered restaurant facade intrigued me. Secondly, the overall composition of the image struck a chord with me. Hence, I believe it could be a valuable addition to my project - Jan Breydelstraat, Ghent, Belgium
During my regular walks downtown Ghent, I stumbled upon a touching scene beneath the city hall. A small tribute had been set up—an arrangement of flowers, candles, and newspaper clippings featuring pictures of Aleksei Navalny. Despite being imprisoned and hidden away in a remote location in Russia, Navalny became a symbol of courage and hope for many Russians near and far. It's clear that there is hope for Navalny's legacy to endure, paving the way for a brighter and better future - Ghent, Belgium
I snapped this photo inside a hutong house near Tiananmen Square, where it's common for up to four generations of a Chinese family to live together. Hutongs are traditional narrow alleys or lanes, often lined with courtyard residences, reflecting the cherished Chinese tradition of family unity. While the Chinese people may be accustomed to living so closely together, I couldn't help but consider some of the practical challenges of accommodating multiple generations in such tight quarters. Privacy in these houses is definitely a challenge. - Beijing, China
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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. |