Jan Vermeer, Netherlands
Jan Vermeer is a passionate photographer. Not surprising when living in the middle of the woods, heaths and spacious sand drifts of the Dutch Veluwe. These elements of nature form a source of subjects that cannot be ignored. The interest in nature is wide; its extensive diversity is exposed in all its aspects. This approach gives depth to his photography. Colour and form are strongly determining in his images and form a strong basis for every photograph. Photographer Jan Vermeer regularly travels to far-away places, looking for unspoilt nature. In the last years he overcame the immense cold to take photographs from remote Antarctica and Arctic regions like Spitsbergen, Russia and Iceland. He is a multi award winner in contests like the Wildlife Photographer of the Year. In the last years he has published two impressive books about Antarctica and the Arctic. Jan is also member of the ILCP (International League of Conservation Photographers) and is invited for the Wild Wonders of Europe project.
Oulu, Finland, March 2009
Heavy snowstorms, amazing wildlife in combination with beautiful winter light conditions are the perfect ingredients for a wildlife photographer. Last year I to travelled to the Varangerfjord region in the high Arctic of Norway. This is a very good place for Steller- and King eider ducks. We travelled with Finnature because they are the experts in this extreme place and know exactly the needs for photographers. Jari Peltomäki is an excellent bird photographer and also a very nice person to travel. He knows exactly were to go and also very important, when.
One of the highlights was a visit to a bird island were I took my best picture from the last 10 years, maybe it is my best picture ever. It is a shot of a flying Atlantic puffin in a snowstorm. Still I am trilled by the moment and when I look at the picture sometimes I cannot believe that I took this picture. I have seen lots of nice places like Antarctica but this week was one of the best trips ever. Because of the good opportunities I went back to Finland a couple weeks ago. And again – believe it or not – it was a very good and productive experience. This time we spent lots of time photographing Great Grey Owl and the Hawk Owl. One of the pictures of the Great Grey Owl is very special and again it was worth to go back to Finland.
It was again a successful trip thanks to Jari and his staff.
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