Jaap Bijsterbosch ~ respect & curiosity
Monday, February 5, 2007 at 12:18PM 
Dutch forest #4 • click on photo to embiggen it
Dutch forest #3 • click on phot to embiggen it
Dutch forest #2 • click on photo to embiggen it
Dutch forest #1 • click on photo to embiggen itJaap Bijsterbosch writes - "I am a Dutch photographer, with landscape as one of my favourite subjects ... I live in a suburb of Amsterdam in one of the most densely populated parts of the world. Also one of the richest parts, so that means a lot of cars, pollution, traffic jams etc. We also have something we call woods. It's not really natural but more or less cultural. Often woods were designed for hunting grounds for the rich, or as a wood production area for for the paper factories ... Still, walking in our woods I sense a lot of magic, the mysterious power of nature.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but sometimes it looks to me that taking photographs for you is almost a sacred thing. I as a photographer feel related to this idea. Respect and at the same time feeling a connection with the subject that one's photographing is an essential condition for a good picture. Photography is not about entertainment but about getting to know the world better and expressing respect for the subject.
There's one aspect about my photography which I did not mention in my earlier mail to you. It's curiosity which often drives me. Curiosity about the world, and how the world looks photographed (I know I'm quoting Winogrand now). And having a camera device around one's neck is a perfect alibi to get involved into situations and places, where without a camera I wouldn't dream to come. And often passion for a subject or a theme arises, and I know I am at the right place. If that passion doesn't come up, I know I'm wrong.
publisher's comment: See more of Jaap's photography. The blog is in Dutch - use babelfish or another web-based translator.
Reader Comments (4)
I love these intimate views into his mind/vision/world! The sharp/soft contrasts alongside the dark and light tones are very stimulating visually to me as well as adding depth and mystery to some very unique and interesting compositions.
These images are brave. This is the woods -- in your neighborhood -- go see 'em!
I guess Jaap has done just that.
As someone who frequently photographs in forests, it is very seldom that I feel claustrophobic in such places...But, I get that feeling from these images. There's something brutal about them and a bit uneasy. I'm not saying this in a negative sense, rather as a point of interest. I've come back a number of times now just to figure it out.
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