Texel

Texel

Ton van der Laan LRPS

During my membership of the special interest group Camera Natura “nature and landscape” of the Dutch Fotobond, I organised a few winter weekend trips for the group to the Wadden island of Texel in the Northwest of the Netherlands. Each time we rented a 12-person holiday house for 3 or 4 nights.

We ventured out depending upon our varying photographic interests – wildlife, dunes, beach and tides. Winter is the perfect time: there are fewer people and more importantly, sunrise is about 8:30 and sunset about 5:00, giving us plenty of low angle sun light for warmth and depth in our images.

Our favourite location was “De Hors”, about 2 kilometres west from where the ferry between Den Helder and Texel docks. From a parking place, it is a walk of 1 km between two small pools just before you arrive on “De Hors”, a broad beach populated with small dunes and lakelets before the sand meets the sea.

In lowtide at sunrise, the sun playswith thewateryripples ofsand, creating colourful and abstract patterns to photograph. I also enjoy exploring the shifting low dunes and their swaying grasses to compose additional images. When the wind is gone, sun and clouds play their game in sky and the sea, sometimes creating dramatic reflections. A 30 second exposure late in the afternoon looking west calms down the sea and reflects layers of light on the water and sand. An interesting sky does wonders on this island.

Another interesting place to look for photos is “De Slufter”, far north of “De Hors” along the North Seaside of the island. This area may be is more suitable for sunset pictures and its waterways bending land-inward. A little bit of frost creates a special atmosphere. And if the weather and nature aren’t cooperating, some of the old villages on the island make for inspiring subjects.

All photographs are copyright of Ton van der Laan LRPS.