by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 6th of March 2023

Annie Keizer loves nature in every way and tries to discover as many details as possible by watching with different eyes. To her, photographing birds in their own environment, especially in action, is her favourite genre. She loves to 'paint' with colours and light and never stops seeking to improve her skills. Annie also is interested in other forms of photography and wants to take the challenge to do more with creative and abstract photography in the future. Let's wander through the work of this charming lady and read more about her.

'old Dutch land'

Dear Annie, first I would like to thank you so much for taking the time to answer this questionnaire! To begin, please introduce yourself shortly and tell us more about you, your hobbies or other projects you are involved in!

I am Annie Keizer. I was born in 1949 in The Netherlands. I grew up in a small village in the  middle of the area that is now called the National park Weerribbem-Wieden. It’s the largest area of connected fenland in Nordwest-Europe.
I was a teacher in several primary schools in the city of Kampen. That’s were we still live now.
I have many hobbies. Photography is the most important. I joined a photo club in my home town Kampen. I am also a volunteer photographer for “Landschap Overijssel”.  That's an organisation protecting nature and culture in The Netherlands. They use my photos in their magazine, on their site and social media.
But I am also reading a lot as a member of a book club. Together we read and discuss about books.  Listening to music (I played piano for years), sewing clothes, cycling, walking…and just being outside are things I love to do. And not the least, spending a lot of time with my husband, family and friends…that’s the most important part of my life!!

'winter in the wieden' (my roots)

'Safe!!'

'birds in a snowstorm'

'colorful'

When and how did you start your photographic journey?

My family always used photography to capture memories. My mother and my older brother were taking pictures and movies all the time. When I married, me and my husband bought a DSRL to captured the memories of our own life and our two children.
When I went for a trip to South Africa in 2004, I bought my first digital camera…a Canon Rebel.  I was fascinated by that country. The South coast has very special animals. The history of Robben Island and the emptiness and silence of the Karoo attracted me a lot. The most impressive for me was Kruger park. That’s were my new hobby started: “nature photography”. Since then I haven’t stopped taking photo’s and learning to improve my skills.

'Caring – Protective'

At the time when I took this picture,  I really realized: 'I want to be a nature photographer'.

For many of us photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship with photography? 

It’s still a hobby….but since that moment in South Africa I feel that I'm looking more intensively at the world of nature. I think I see more, more details. I see with different eyes and think more often: 'Is this worth taking a picture?'

What would be the most important experience so far that has influenced your steps in photography?

To me, the steps in the world of photography are little.  It is not one big step which happened at a specific moment.
My biggest inspiration came when I sold my first picture and also when one of my photos was published in a magazine.
Step by step, I still try do become a better photographer, to create my own style…by working with bokeh and colours. When people say: That’s a real “Annie” picture …I am happy and proud.

'So sweet!'

'Angry'

Your work is very diversified, Annie.  I see nature photography as well as landscape photography and more. Can you explain why this is?

I have all kind of interests. And I think that it is shown in my photography.
Birds are my most important subject. But for me it’s a challenge to adventure in other forms of photography.

'Social distance – not for us!'

'in a misty snow world'

'Proud!'

'impressionism'

'please'

What is more important to you, the mood,/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
Both!  A certain degree of technical skills is necessary. It depends on what I like to express with my pictures. Sometimes the mood is the most important. I like to play with colours, bokeh or backlight.

'Away with the dust'

'hebbes'

'I got it!'

What generally is your relationship to your subject matter beyond being an observer?
Do you prepare carefully the locations where you are intending to photograph?

Most of the time, we go out without a plan. Walking, cycling, by boat. Always with camera and binoculars in our camera bag. We let us surprise by nature and enjoy just to be connected to it. Usually we come home with a lot of pictures…but sometimes without any!
I also enjoy to just sit outside or in the open door to watch the birds in the garden, to try to capture their actions and the mood.

'Very colorful!'

Describe your overall photographic vision.

That’s very simple. Enjoying nature, with a great respect for the natural environment where we live and capture this in original and characteristic images (that’s what I try!)

Can you please tell us something more about your workflow from the idea to the final product?

For post processing I use Lightroom CC and Photoshop. Often I also use the plug in from Topaz.   (define and sharpness). Behind the computer as little as possible and outside as much as possible.

Where do you look to find inspiration and what inspires you the most?

Since my childhood I have an admiration for impressionist painters. Especially Vincent van Gogh. I have a lot of books and like his paintings especially the ones made in the Provence. I cannot draw and I'm so glad to be able to “play” with light and colours through my camera.
I'm also looking at work from other photographers, getting tips from friends. I always try to learn to make better pictures.

Many are of the opinion that the gear is not very important when the passion for photography is strong. However, can you please share with us what gear you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?

I use two camera’s. A Canon 5D mark 3 and a Canon 5D mark 4. I have several lenses: from 24mm to 400mm and an extender 2.0. to go to 600mm for birds and animals.

What would be your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.

'inquisitive'

This is one of my favourites on 1x. I had a disease on one of my eyes. After the fourth surgery, my husband and I were waiting in the hospital for the surgeon and were afraid for a bad diagnose. At that very moment I got an e-mail: this photo was published on the cover of Roots (a nature magazine in the Netherlands). That gave me lots of hope thinking that I could also be a good  photographer with one eye. It would be more difficult…but I will succeed.
This picture marked me….there is a time before….and a time after!!!

Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose works have influenced you and your

photography?

I don’t have one  favourite photographer. There are too many photographers and photos I admire.
If I only will mention one 1x photographer because I learned a lot from her: Nel Talen. We meet often and talk about photography and post-processing. Her style is completely different from mine but we inspire each other. We love that!

Now, since we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would kindly ask you to share with us your plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.

The most important form of photography for me is to capture birds…especially in action, in their own environment….and with a certain mood. I hope to be able to do that for a very long time. In the future, I also will try to do more with creative and abstract photography. 
I did already some attempts ;-)

'Willow in winter'

'red red red'

I also try to be an inspiration for my 5 grandchildren (between 7and 15). They like to use my cameras. The eldest makes pictures of the stars and insects. The others from birds, flowers and from each other. Maybe they are the next generation of (nature)photographers! I hope so.

Is there anything else you wish to add  and what do you think about 1X as a home base for your work?

I would like to thank the1x team for giving me the opportunity to share my work. I'm learning a lot from many other photographers here and get inspired by them. I would also like to thank for this invitation to an interview.  It's a huge honour to me!!!

Annie Keizer.