Bob van der Vleuten

Probably my go to activity when travelling: capturing the amazing landscapes that captivate me. Trying to do them justice, showing the beauty that nature — and sometimes man — has created for us to absorb.

South Africa especially lends itself to this, with its vast planes, rolling hills, rocky shores, awe inspiring canyons, …

I like shooting with my Pentax P3 camera on 35mm film.

I consider it training for my eyes. This little camera and those rolls of film teach me how to make better compositions but they have also brought me much pleasure. The tangible process around film is a fun experience and it blocks the instant gratification reflexes we so often find in the digital world.

Some of the shots I am most pleased with have been made on film. My favourite film stocks? Ilford FP4 125 and Kodak Ektar 100

City vibes, from people to skylines, they make for good photography inspiration. So many opportunities, so many stories to be told. I love to go into the city and document day to day live or capture its man made beauty.

Cities can show us the best and the worst of man.

Portraiture is a genre that does not come naturally to me, yet it is immensely satisfying when you get it right and you do the person in question justice.

Whether captured in a fleeting moment or the result of a carefully posed shot, portraits have the potential to show a person, tell a story and convey strong emotions.

In South Africa I’ve finally gotten the opportunity to do some wildlife photography. The animals that roam these lands are majestic, elegant and awe inspiring. From the abundant herds of wildebeest to the rarely seen leopard.

That so many of them are threatened by poaching is a black page in the book of humanity.

I like the chase of getting the shot right with limited time. You either get it, or you don’t, the action itself may be thrilling but trying to capture it adds an extra dimension to it.