Bas Meelker Landscape Photography

Six o'clock in the morning and my alarm clock is buzzing. Getting up is easy in this time of the year. Can't wait for those early sunrises next summer....It's been a busy time with lots of talks, meetings and workshops. But not today. After a busy but very interesting weekend at the 6th NVN international nature Festival, it's time to get back to basics.  It's time to get back in the field and start exposing again. A quick look at the weather and the destination is set. After two cups of coffee and an hour drive I arrive at the east coast of the IJsselmeer.

The Big Melt - IJssemeer, The Netherlands - Canon EOS 5D Mark II + Canon TS-E 24mm f3.5 L II tilt shift, 2 degrees tilt, f16, 1/15 sec., Lee 0.6 ND Hard Grad, Tripod, remote, ISO 100.

The sun is rising so far in the southeast that even here good directional light can be found this time of year. I grab my gear and head out to look for my images. This is the best part of every photo session. I know they're there. My images. I just have to look and let my imagination run wild. After a quick look around the first compositions are found and everything is set. The trouble is the images I have in mind are down below, close to the ice. And with the ice melting and pools of meltwater all around, it isn't the most comfortable position to be in. Now all I need is the right light. I'm playing the waiting game again. It's amazing that even in a crowded country as the Netherlands, there are still places of silence and tranquility to be found. Let's keep it that way!

Ice mountains - IJssemeer, The Netherlands - Canon EOS 5D Mark II + Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8 L II,  f11, 1/200 sec., ISO 160, handheld with remote flash.

After the first exposures I continue my road trip along the Frisian coast and after a couple of minutes I end up at Hindeloopen. In the distance I can see large white dots as I approach. While driving into town these white dots turn into huge piles of shelf ice pushing against the coast. I quickly park my car, grab my camera, wide angle lens, a flash and off camera cord and within minutes I'm like a kid in a candy store.

Ice approach - IJssemeer, The Netherlands - Canon EOS 5D Mark II + Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8 L II,  f11, 1/200 sec., ISO 160, handheld with remote flash.

The light is still gorgeous, the piles of shelf ice are 6 to 7 meters high and I'm going nuts. If anyone saw me, I apologize for my weird behavior...Two hours later I'm back in the car with a big smile on my face, three memory cards full of images and empty batteries. This is one of those days that will stick by me forever. Days with no rules, great light, full of amazement and surprises. It's a great winter yet again!

Winter landscaping - IJssemeer, The Netherlands - Canon EOS 5D Mark II + Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8 L II,  f11, 1/200 sec., ISO 100, handheld with remote flash.