Young Photographers
Category Winner and Nature Photography Talent of the Year
Ruben Luiten (1)
De Nieuwe Driemanspolder (Zuid-Holland)
400mm; 1/2000s at f/5.6; ISO 200
During a morning walk with my father through a nature reserve, I stayed a bit behind and noticed a hare on the path. I lay down to decide how to include the surroundings in the image. The hare walked towards me, unaware, which made the moment even more special.
Runner-up
Thyrza Boskma (2)
Blijdorp (Zuid-Holland)
400mm; 1/400s at f/6.3; ISO 800
While sitting quietly on a bench in the zoo, ducks and coots came very close. This allowed me to make a head portrait of a coot. I like dark images with a light subject, which gives a strong contrast.
Honourable Mentions
Ruben Luiten (3)
Reeuwijkse Plassen (Zuid-Holland)
400mm; 1/1000s at f/5.6; ISO 320
On a cloudy morning in a wetland area, I saw a kingfisher fly away and land in a willow. I placed the focus point at the top left. The light background and backlight make the bird and branches stand out as a silhouette.
Lieuwe Bruil (4)
Nationaal Park De Hoge Veluwe (Gelderland)
600mm; 1/160s at f/6.3; ISO 200
While cycling with a friend, we came across a group of wild boars with young. They came close, which allowed me to zoom in on the eye for a detailed shot.
Ruben Luiten (5)
Scheveningen (Zuid-Holland)
400mm; 1/640s at f/5.6; ISO 400
A bar tailed godwit flew by calling and landed on the beach. I lay down in the sand to photograph it. While searching for food, it splashed water around. The low angle gave me a strong image and wet clothes.
Natan De Maertelaere (6)
Gent (België)
600mm; 1/400s at f/6.3; ISO 1000
A family of squirrels lives in the park. High in a tree, one looked straight at me while light snow started to fall. The tree creates depth, and the lines guide the eye towards the squirrel.
Sem Scheerder (7)
Veluwezoom (Gelderland)
32mm; 1/6s at f/12; ISO 150
A sunrise with light frost and a thin layer of snow made the landscape extra special. I used the path as a leading line, guiding the viewer’s eye into the image.
