n this black-and-white image, the raw beauty of Den Helder comes alive. The imposing Lange Jaap lighthouse rises proudly on the horizon - a recognisable beacon that has kept watch at the edge of the Marsdiep for generations. To the left stretches the dike, where land and sea meet, and where the light plays with the lines of the landscape.
In the foreground lies a heavy ship's chain. This detail is a powerful symbol of the connection between man and the sea. The chain seems to anchor the past to the present - a tangible reminder of Den Helder's maritime history, where steel, wind and water meet.
The choice of black and white reinforces the contrast between light and structure, between steel and sky, between past and present. The matt shades and deep shadows give the image an industrial, almost graphic look. Yet there remains room for stillness: the light gliding across the chain, the lighthouse steadfastly marking the horizon, and the vastness of the Marsdiep stretching to the horizon.
This is not a romantic coastal image, but an honest representation of the power of the north - rugged, characterful and full of history. An image that fits into a modern interior, where it tells its own story: that of sea, steel and silence.
With this picture, you bring a piece of Dutch identity into your home. Lange Jaap - symbol of light, direction and steadfastness - captured in its purest form: black, white and everything in between.
Welcome to my photo gallery. Living close to the Dutch coast myself, as a professional photographer I am also inspired by landscapes of the dunes the beach and the sea. Many images here were taken by a medium format camera and offer unprecedented image quality. I also.. Read more…