Whe tracked down Patrick van der Ven via a facebook page for kite surfers associated with the kitesurfing spot Zandmotor at Kijkduin. We were immediately impressed. Not only because of the photos themselves, because they are beautiful, but also because of Patrick's enthusiasm. This always splashes off. Patrick has since become a well-known and friend of many kite surfers. Kitesurfpro.nl took the opportunity to ask Patrick about his passion and top 5 kitesurf photos of all time.
Introduce
Who is the man behind all those cool photos?
“My name is Patrick van der Ven. I am 47 years 'young' and born in The Hague. So I am always used to having the sea around the corner. ”
“My biggest hobby is photography, in the broadest sense. Exercising is number 1, but I also like to get inspiration by looking at the work of other photographers, reading about it and watching tutorials on YouTube, for example. ”
Kitesurf photography
How did your passion for photography originate?
“My hobby photography did not start with kite surfing but with photographing motorsport. I have been attending the TT van Assen and other car and motorsport events with camera for 25 years and that is where my interest started to try to capture beautiful moments. But of course also for myself, to have a nice memory. Because photographing motorsport events is not possible all year round, I started looking at other things that really caught my attention. ”
How did your passion for kitesurfing photography originate?
“Ever since I was a kid, I think the surf scene has something“ cool ”about it. In the 80s I already visited Scheveningen to see windsurfing competitions in which, for example, a Robby Naish and Stefan van den Berg took part. Then I was more interested in the overall picture. Cool people, cool and flashy clothes and the whole scene that surrounds it: skating, surfing ... All extreme sports have that and the practitioners are often nice people. That is why I also find all those forms of action and extreme sports fun and challenging to photograph. ”
“I moved in 2010 and I live very close to Kijkduin. There I found out that the Sand Motor existed and I saw live kite surfing for the first time. The flame had definitely jumped! What a combination with my hobby photography, and that just in 'my' backyard. ”
“The action on the water, the splashing water, the colors of the suits, boards and kites. It is almost all equally photogenic. ”
Why kitesurf photography in particular?
“The action on the water, the splashing water, the colors of the suits, boards and kites. It is almost all equally photogenic. And don't forget ... no two days are the same on the beach. In fact… not an hour. ”
What makes kitesurfing photography challenging?
“What I like most is capturing a nice move at the right time. I prefer to have a nice posture, splashing water and as much as possible of a kite surfer (star) with board and kite in the photo. And I always try to have as calm a background in the photo as possible, because I want all the attention to be drawn to the rider. Preferably without 'clutter' in the background. Sometimes that can certainly add something to the photo, but those are rare moments. For example, a seagull that flies just at the same time as the kite surfer, the coast guard beautifully in the picture. Those are the situations you just have to encounter. ”
Inspiration and coolest experience
What type of kitesurfing photo inspires you the most?
“Since this year I have been more involved with photography with a wide angle lens. You have to be terribly close to the action, but then the viewer of your photo is really 'in' the action itself. And as a big plus you almost always get the water, the kiter and also his / her kite plus the environment (a beautiful sky is of course a big plus) in the picture. The obstacle here is that there are many things in the photo that you do not want, so it is good to look for a position and the right angle to photograph. Being so close to the action is also quite dangerous. A wet suit has already happened to me twice, but fortunately the camera survived (although I have put a plastic bag / cover around it since then). And recently I was also hit by a board once. Everything for the perfect picture… Hahahaha. But to be honest, at that moment I realized, literally and figuratively, how fast it is going and that it can be quite dangerous. But yes, that's a bit of a photographer's own: pushing the limits to shoot your perfect photo. That too makes it an experience in itself. If that one photo is successful, it makes me happy. ”
What is your coolest experience?
“My coolest, and perhaps most exciting, experience with kitesurf photography is actually my first 'assignment'… or rather a photo request. I meet quite a lot of people while photographing on the Sand Motor. Most people really appreciate that you try to capture their passion beautifully. I would also think it would be cool to see myself in a nice action photo. Although I prefer not to be in a photo ... Hahaha. For example, I regularly spoke and photographed a kitesurfing couple (Jeroen and Lisette). They had married in Portugal a year earlier and had actually wanted to do a nice shoot on the water there. That had not happened, because the wind was failing. I got to know them a bit better, was able to record their favorite moves a bit and that's how I think they asked me to record their intended plan in Portugal. ”
“They would go out on the water as a bridal couple (in full regalia) and make their favorite move. With that move, the kite surfers approach each other from the opposite direction and the man jumps upside down over the woman, doing a hand clap in a perfectly timed manner. An incredibly beautiful move, but difficult for them to time. But for me almost the same: you have to be at the right angle, continuously zoom in or out with the lens to get the action nicely filling the screen and try to print at the right time to hit the hand. Normally quite a challenge, but if you don't succeed then you do the jump just as often until it hits and is on the plate. Easy to do with a wetsuit, but a bit more difficult with a tailored suit and beautiful wedding dress. If the dress gets too wet, the effect of the plate is gone and there is a good chance that it will break due to the weight. Luckily the photo came out, but I was pretty nervous about it. It depended on getting it right. For myself and of course also for Jeroen and Lisette. A special and nice couple, a special assignment and ultimately a special and successful photo series. ”
“What makes it extra fun is that this promotion did not go unnoticed in the end. The photo appeared in a German magazine. We ended up with a nice interview and a clip on Behague's site. That was also a terribly fun, and for me totally new, experience. ”
Is it a hobby or do you also photograph professionally?
“Photography is a real hobby. For me it is really relaxation and a kind of creative outlet. I think in advance what I am going to do or hope to see and try to make it work. For example, I am now more often busy in the afternoon and evening and try to take beautiful photos with flash. Very challenging! If I ever get a paid assignment or roll in the profession, that would be nice, but I am certainly not looking for it. As a hobby there is no pressure, except for a single assignment. If it is professional people will also expect something from you. People want results for the money they have to put down. Now I initially take photos for myself and often make people happy with them. Or I meet up with kite surfers to come up with a nice picture together and actually shoot it (they are happy and I too). ”
“In addition, I have also been photographing the kitesurf marathon for the Hartstichting for several years now: Hoek tot Helder. This assignment leans a bit more against working or professional photography. In addition, you really have a serious assignment to record that part of the kitesurf marathon at your location. I say work or professional photography, but it is of course on a voluntary basis. A lot of fun to do!"
Looks like you are having fun photographing local kite surfers. Are these your local kitesurfing friends?
“I actually only photograph kite surfing on and around the Sand Motor with an occasional trip to Scheveningen. Scheveningen is less my favorite, because it is much busier and various water sports are practiced close together (kite surfing, windsurfing and wave surfing). Trying to isolate an action there is almost impossible. In addition, the Sand Motor has the luxury that you can walk around it and so you can choose your own background. This also allows you to determine the incidence of light. A great spot! Since I've been there for about 10 years, I now know the 'hard core' of the Sand Motor, and they know me. This will certainly create a cozy and friendly atmosphere on and around the water. ”
Do you also kitesurf yourself?
“I don't kitesurf myself, but of course I can't deny that I think it looks really cool. I deliberately don't get started. In this way I can stick to my only hobby and I do not have to think 'I would have liked to shoot that picture' on the water and vice versa. And kite surfing and photography are both a time consuming and expensive hobby. So now I am investing my time, energy and money in photography. That also gives peace of mind and wallet. ”
Ambitions
Do you have ambitions with photography?
“Above all, I want to make better and better photos and still have a kind of style or 'signature'. Now you can often recognize who took it from a photo. I like a recognizable style. And of course just take as much and as good a picture as possible. In addition, it is nice when your photos are seen and end up on websites and Instagram. That is a huge compliment! I share my photos myself Instagram on my account @picturepathy, op Facebook page Kitesurf Zandmotor and on my personal Facebook page Patrick van der Ven. ”
“There are also ambitions to someday be able to photograph from the water (with an underwater housing around the camera) and to visit beautiful kite surfing spots in beautiful places and, for example, to photograph competitions where the 'great' men and women show their skills! Nothing to the detriment of the men and women I now photograph, because for me they are all athletes! Sometimes even acrobats ;-). ”
Finally, a tip
What tip (s) do you have for people who also want to develop further in kitesurf photography?
“Especially having fun seeing and photographing the sport and trying a lot. Not too much concerned with the technique, but especially with good looking and timing the action.
You will automatically recognize from the attitude that there will be a certain trick or jump. Have fun and if you see that someone likes you to take a picture and speaks to you. Don't be too afraid to make a request for a certain jump in a certain place. No you have and yes you can get. Kite surfers often find it very nice that you ask and they also like it when you shoot a nice picture of them: two people happy. And not unimportantly: pay attention to the facial expression and body posture of kite surfers. Not everyone is waiting to have their picture taken and I try to recognize that to avoid 'hassle'. Both me and the people on the water are there for fun, so we shouldn't ruin that for each other, right? Last but not least .. Watch out for falling kites, they hit quite hard, I know by now ;-) ”
Patrick, thank you so much for the interview, sharing your Top 5 kitesurfing photos of all time and the story behind it. We know it was a tough question, but you did it with a great result. Lots of fun!
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Nice to read and what cool photos!