by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 9th of October  2023

'Forbidden love'

Daan de Vos is a fervent and excellent macro photographer.  He likes to tell stories and always seeks interactions. He draws inspiration from the 'smallness' in this world, which remains hidden from many and also opens up into an entirely new dimension. It's a dimension that he tries to capture in his own unique way. Macro photography provides him the perfect way out for his creativity.  He likes to experiment with lighting, reflections, diffusion screens to photograph the wonderful macro world and share it with those passing by, overlooking or unaware of its existence. Join me in a fabulous journey through Daan's lens and enjoy !

Hello, I'm Daan de Vos, 55 years old, living in Breda, a city in the southern Netherlands. I'm married and a proud father of three children. I am also a happy grandfather.

'Do you like some color'

I am a nurse anaesthetist working with an anaesthesiologist to ensure patient comfort and safety during surgeries by administering the appropriate anaesthesia and closely monitoring vital signs. It gives me satisfaction to play an essential role in the healthcare process. This profession is technically demanding because it leaves no room for errors. Yet, it also offers a wonderful opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the patient by decreasing and reassuring him before going under general anaesthesia.

'Like a dream'

Apart of being a nurse anaesthetist, I love to be in the nature. The operating room has a consistent temperature and humidity year-round with a limited visibility outdoors. Spending time in nature provides me with tranquillity and a way to find a peace of mind. My primary hobby is nature photography, but I also enjoying hiking and playing pool with my friends. I do enjoy giving lectures at photography clubs combining field workshops and subsequently photo evaluations. I have no secrets and I am eager to share my knowledge.

A few times a year, I also organize fungi photography days. During these sessions, we gather a group of 30 people. The participants range from beginners to advanced photographers, and the goal is to have fun while learning from each another. These days are free from fees, except for the lunch. I simply find it enjoyable and fulfilling to organize such events and to meet the people behind the photographs.

Magical light'

I am not a professional writer, but I have a strong desire to share my thoughts and experiences. My way to do it is through photography. I capture things that catch my attention or events that I want to preserve as memories for the future. My journey began when I bought a digital camera 15 years ago. I never took any formal courses, “I am a self-taught at heart”.

'Don't let go'

After many years of photography and exploring various aspects of the craft, I discovered my passion for macro photography. It's like entering a new world, one that constantly surprises you when you look closely. Capturing this hidden world and searching through it has become addictive for me. Moreover, it provides me the perfect way out for my creativity. I experiment with lighting, reflections, diffusion screens, and whatever that takes to create the perfect picture.

'The conversation'

A photograph should tell a story, inspire and hold your attention. To enhance my story, I always seek interactions. This could involve two butterflies or even playing around with mushrooms. It must be a harmonious composition of the main subject, colours and environment. While the subject doesn't necessarily need to be entirely sharp for me, having sharpness of the animal or insect eyes is important. Equally significant is the background; this should be harmonize with the main subject and form a unified whole. Just like it was a window into a world that's beginning to tell a story. I leave to the viewer's imagination what that story is. The way I see the photo often is translated into a few words in “the title”. My aim isn't to approach the reality accurately but rather to create my own dream world.

'What have you done'

I draw inspiration from the 'smallness' in this world, which remains hidden from many and also opens up into an entirely new dimension. It's a dimension that I try to capture in my own, hopefully unique, way. It's a world that many pass by, overlook, or are unaware of its existence. My curiosity goes beyond the surface. When I photograph a subject for instance a butterfly, I want to know everything about them. I want to understand their life cycle from caterpillar to adult butterfly, what they eat, when they're active and the type of habitats the live in. It's this in-depth knowledge that gives more meaning to my photos. It's as if I'm telling a story, not just visually, but also with the knowledge I have gather.

'Threesome'

Nature is my ultimate source of inspiration. Sometimes I think I should have become a biologist instead of working as an nurse anaesthetist . With my camera I discover what nature has to offer. I have the privilege to capture and share those moments.

During my photography trips, I usually have a plan in mind. While I don't specifically search for certain species to photograph, I often have an image in my head or a photo I want to create. Bringing this vision to life requires significant effort and occasionally, I need to cover substantial distances. Together with a friend, we often wake up at 3 a.m. drive 300 kilometres, and position ourselves in a dew-covered field before sunrise.

'Waking up together'

While people often say I'm lucky, as a photographer I think otherwise. It involves actually extensive preparations. I study the seasons, delving into animal habitats and behaviours carefully choosing the time for my photography sessions. In order to expand my network and to share information’s I utilize social media and websites like observado.org. All of these elements come together in an approach that helps me to turn the images I have in mind into reality. It takes planning, dedication and a deep understanding of the natural world. So, while luck might play a role at times, it's primarily the combination of preparation and passion that bring my photographic experiences to life.

'To the stars and beyond'

Here's a list of what I usually bring with me on a photo trip. It adds up to about 12 kilograms. A thorough preparation is crucial and enhances the chances of successful photos.

• Camera: Canon 80D with Canon 100MM macro lens F/2.8 USM L

• Tripods: Leofoto Summit LM-364C, NB46, and Leofoto LS-223C LH25

• Various diffusers and reflector screens, including flash umbrellas (white and with a gold interior) • Small flash light and LED Christmas lights

• Clothespins and clamp (single and double)

• Spare batteries: 3 for the camera and AAA batteries for the remote control

• Scissors and screwdriver • Rain cover

 • Water bottle and an apple • Lens cloth

• Spare memory card

• Camera bag: Lowepro BP450AW II

My goal is to use counter programs as less as possible. Ideally, the photos should come straight out of the camera. This approach is highly educational. it teaches you to read light, understand your camera's settings and the limitations of your equipment. I determine the composition in the field. In about 90% of cases, I photograph just after sunrise. Preferably when the temperature is around 10 degrees Celsius. At that time, insects are relatively sluggish and there’s often dew present, adding an extra dimension to the image. The gentle sidelight from the rising sun provides a beautiful warm colour, and the wind is usually mild. I always use a tripod and aim for the lowest ISO value possible.

My style is characterized by using the widest possible aperture (low F-number). Additionally, I like to control the lighting using small lamps and screens. To achieve a blurry background (bokeh), I use leaves, grass, and even Christmas decorations or aluminium foil to create a soft atmosphere.

'Pure enjoyment'

I take my time with each photo and believe in the philosophy of "do it right or don't do it at all." However, this also means that an insect often disappears before I can take the shot. While I used to take 300 photos in a single morning without hesitation I usually return home with a selection of about 50 photos.

'Butterfly and Ant'

Once I'm home, I import the photos into Adobe Light room CC. I make a rough selection of the ones I like and delete the rest. Although I'm not an expert at editing, I have some understanding of working with layers and perform basic adjustments like contrast and saturation. Then I open the selected photo in Photoshop 2023 and retouch any imperfections that catch my attention at 300% magnification. These might be grains of sand, blades of grass, overexposed spots or sensor spots. Afterwards, I export the photo to a folder labelled with the date of the capture.

My organization of photos is somewhat chaotic. I usually have a general idea of when and where a photo was taken. Nowadays, I try to store both the RAW files and edited photos on an external hard drive,I categorized them into manageable groups.

'Delightful'

Giving advice always is challenging, but the most important thing is to enjoy it. To obtain the same quality of photo’s as a advanced photographer can be a challenge. But beautiful photos that you admire are fine. Use them mainly as a source of inspiration. It took me more than five years to capture the photos that I had been in my mind all that time. Preparation is essential and most importantly learn from your mistakes. Early mornings and evenings are the ideal time to go out, especially for macro photography. The light then is softer and the insects are easier to approach.

Always remember that it is the photographer who creates the photos, not the equipment. Just like in a restaurant, when you had a delicious meal, you don't go to the chef and say: 'You must have amazing pots and pans.' An experienced chef can create the most delightful dishes even with less advanced cookware."

I don't follow a specific photographer but I find inspiration in the photos on 1X.com and on https://waarneming.nl. I can spend hours scrolling through and looking at photos wondering why a particular photo appeal to me. What draws my attention and how would I capture that photo?I'm very critical concerning my own work. Other people on 1x  are too. The comments by members and experts provide insight into your work. Simply receiving praise doesn't help you learning.

'Playing with light'

An unforgettable moment for me was encountering a grass snake. It's so uncharacteristic to see snakes here in the Netherlands, but the opportunity to photograph them was fantastic. I was lying flat on my belly, slowly inching closer, and then capturing some amazing photos in just a few seconds. I still enjoy recalling that experience.

'Who has my fake teeth'

Another favourite photo of mine is one of a common darter dragonfly at sunrise. Planning the trip, preparing, monitoring the weather, and timing it correct is part of the process. Standing at the location at 5:30 a.m. with the sun gradually rising, your camera ready, settings checked and then it needs to happen. As soon as you see the sun through the viewfinder, everyone knows it will last just a few minutes. And then, at 5:35, you're done and a deep sense of happiness washes over you. It was the day when everything came together, resulting in a photo I still enjoy.

'Here comes the sun'

My goal for the future is ambitious. I would like people to recognize my work as an authentic creation by Daan de Vos. I want to add my own stamp to an image through lighting, subject selection and atmosphere. Being asked for this interview in my view is already a step in the right direction. Landscape photography seems like an intriguing area to explore to me as I have spent many years on beautiful nature locations. But I realize that it will take years before I reach the level to compete with the experts, but I'm determined to keep growing.

'We have lift-off'

My Instagram: @macrodaan