2009 January » Fotograferen.net

Korea World Champs: Final Images (Half-Pipe & Big Air)

Jan 242009

The Hyundau Sungwoo Resort in Gangwon.

Some final images of the past two days before I leave for Switzerland Tomorrow.
Yesterday’s half-pipe saw some amazing action but the light was horrible for photography. Still managed to pull a few nice shots, especially from the winner Ryoh Aono from Japan.

Ryoh Aono 2x

If yesterday was cold, today was Arctic. With heatpockets in both hands I managed to keep my fingers a bit above freezing temp but the conditions weren’t as nice as they were in the first few days. Guess we saw it all this week: full sun, biggest snowfall in 20 years and freezing windy icechills to end the week with.

Last contest was the Big Air which had horrible angles from all sides so no real great images here too. Perhaps tonight for the finals things will be nice with my slaves and all the lamps they’ve put up at the jump.

David Mol (close-up) and Pim Stigter (action)

That’s it for this amazing Korean week, what a great place for such a contest. I’m off, Laax (Switzerland) is next… see you after the weekend.

Korea World Champs: Half-pipe & Big Air

Events, Snow No Responses »

Jan 222009

Some more shots of todays action: the half-pipe contest which sadly turned out to be a bummer for Dolf van der Wal (missing the finals by 2/10 points on a disputable judging score). Some nice shots even though the waether was a bit bleak.

The nights Big Air practice turned out to be fun again while stressing the camera to the limits, using the high ISO range and two slave flashes. Happy with the results and ready for the contest the day after tomorrow.

Korea World Champs Snowboarding: freestyle coming up!

Events, Snow 1 Response »

Jan 212009

Todays carving action wasn’t too succesfull for Nicolien either but fortunately I was able to do some decent freestyle shooting today. First some shots at the half-pipe (in between parallel slaom heats) and then some difficult shots with slave-flashes at the nightly big-jump practice session.

Tomorrow: half-pipe qualification and perhaps a couple more bigjump shots…

Images from the Giant Parallel Slalom

Events, Snow No Responses »

Jan 202009

Some images from Today’s GPS event. Jetlag got me up early on the mountain, right in time to catch the sun rising above the hills.

Early rise!

Nicolien Sauerbreij memorizing the course.

Nicolien Sauerbreij in action.

The steep course made for some great crashshots!

Amazing lightshow.

A quick back-and-forth to the halfpipe for a shot of David Mol.

Korean Update (Tuesday 20th)

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Jan 192009

Quick note from Korea

Events, Snow, Travel No Responses »

Jan 182009

From South-Korea this week I’ll bring some updates on the 2009 FIS Snowboard World Championships.

Munich take-off

Seoul arrival… hmm!

A bit of a thing: driving 8 hours through heavy fog to Munich to catch a plane to Korea. But, it’s a small price to pay for a dream-assignment like this! So, after an easy but mostly sleepless flight (compensated for by gin-tonics) we arrived at Seoul Airport with a gentle but nagging jetlag of eight hours.

Getting close to the contest.

After a mad and three hour VIP Taxi transfer that took us past the edge of the capital city, traffic jams, heavy snowfall and a highway though the mountains (hills, if you live in the Alps) and the crazy Hyundau Sungwoo Resort in Hoengseon-gun in the Gangwon-do province. How about a mounthfull! As the Koreans were convinced I was an important competitor the drive was fast and furious and ended up with a police escort for the final 5 kilomters, cool!

Bell Berghuis and coach Frank Germann discuss the course.

Some high-grade board preparation.

From the taxi it was straight to the slopes to watch Bell Berghuis compete in the Boardercross qualifications. It’s a pity she fell on her second run because she had a very good chance of competing in the finals. Still, a nice day for me photograph-wise. More updates this week as there are plenty more Dutchies competing.

Practice run on the first rollers.

First quali-heat on the massive corner!

Over and out…

VARA's TV Moment of the Year 2008

Events No Responses »

Jan 112009

Curtains to the fantastic Koepelkerk location.

For the VARA, one of the largest Dutch Public Broadcasting Services I was asked to photograph their annual event: the TV moment of the year. A contest for the title of “Best Dutch item on TV in 2008″. A bit of a first for me as I’m not too much involved in the (TV) entertainment industry but it seemed like a great challenge and a good bit of fun.

Seats for Geenstijl.tv who had high hopes of winning this years edition with their stunning movie on a cabinet minister who forgot how to speak.

Geenstijl.tv presentator Rutger Castricum.

Presentator Matthijs van Nieuwkerk moments before going live.

The live television show took place in the Koepelkerk in downtown Amstrerdam, a beautiful old church that was spectacularly lit by the TV crew. However, for me as a photographer it wasn’t easy to shoot because the light was very low (I’m no match for modern HD television-camera’s) and I obviously wasn’t allowed to use flash. Even worse: during the live show I could only shoot from the first ring as camera positions on the floor level made it impossible for me to stay out of the picture. Still, a very memorable night and a good challenge to do a shoot like this.

What a location!

Host Matthijs van Nieuwkerk

Flowers for Yta Strikwerda, a mentally challenged woman who appeared on Paul de Leeuws TV show: “Mooi! Weer de Leeuw” in which she hunted down the presentator for ten minutes in order to get him to ride on a pony. The TV item was a surprise win as most people expected Peter R. de Vries to win with his undercover filming of Joran van de Sloot in the Natalee Holloway case.

Check out the full series (38 photo’s) here.

NK Marathon Natuurijs

Events 1 Response »

Jan 092009

On a very foggy day, January 8th, Holland went mad for the first Ice-skating Marathon on natural ice in twelve years.

While the day before and after were blue-skied and nice and frosty this Thursday was grey, grey and grey… Hmmm, okay: and cold!

Unox, the main sponsor asked me to photograph the event for their ice-skating website, so I headed off at 7 in the morning to beat the traffic which I managed easily, arriving at a quarter past eight (had to be there at nine). Still slightly dark I saw the “Masters” skating their first rounds, not a very good thing to shoot in combination with fog but slowly during the day the light picked up a bit and I got warmed up. Hope you enjoy this series, shot in 16:9 format because somehow ice-skating seems to be made for it!

The “Masters” ice-skaters doing their rounds at dusk.

A very friendly collegue.

Carla Zielman (Women) finishes first in a media-frenzy.

The mens category, I just love that little cart. Must have seens aeons of ice-skating.

Sjoerd Huisman brings in fame and glory!

Click here for the full gallery.

Illyria House – Pretoria (South Africa)

Interior, Publications, Travel 1 Response »

Jan 082009

One of the nicest hotels I’ve ever had the pleasure of overnighting can be found near the Johannesburg Airport, little over twenty minutes North of the hectic and largest South African city is Pretoria, the legislative Capital. Before hitting that town, famous for its abundant Jacaranda Trees, in a hidden and very nice neighborhood you will find a Villa turned into a hotel for Kings, their website says it all and nothing of it is overstated. What an incredible place!

Click on “full screen” for the high-res slideshow:

A magnificent villa with sweeping views across the treetops of the historical Jacaranda City. Set in tranquil gardens, teeming with birds, it is no wonder that Illyria is often referred to as a “little paradise”.

Upon entering through the wrought iron gates, a fairytale ambience, reflecting the epitome of gracious and romantic living unfolds, complete with white gloved butlers discreetly working their magic to please.

Unrivalled personalized service, exclusivity and luxury are a given at this intimate haven. Fine antiques, 17th century tapestries, soft classical music and exquisite cuisine have contributed to Illyria’s standing as a sought-after oasis of tranquility, refined beauty and charm.

It comes as no surprise that Illyria House has become a destination in its own right, a unique, nostalgic, colonial experience, highly appreciated by the discerning traveler, and the secret retreat of royalty, heads of state and celebrities alike.

Services rendered by your personal butler include organizing historical tours, sports activities, country picnics, individualized shopping outings and transfers to attractions in the city and surrounding areas. Guests may enjoy beauty treatments in the magical wellness spa in the secret garden or in the privacy of their rooms.

Secluded yet centrally located, a stay at Illyria House is ideal in combination with a luxury rail journey, wildlife safari or Indian Ocean island resort, and holds the promise to add an unforgettable authentic experience in colonial African hospitality.

Dominica in REIZEN Magazine

Publications, Travel No Responses »

Jan 062009

Four pages on Dominica (no, not the Dominican Republic!) in December issue of ANWB REIZEN Magazine:

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