by Yvette Depaepe
Published the 20st of January 2025

Despite his wide range of photographic interests, Jan Donckers claims that his most important work will always be Nude Photography.
At some point, he began to mix images. He used photos that he had taken in the past, adding structures, textures and all kinds of materials, thinking that he could reduce the nudity aspect in this way. This idea was a success because the results looked like a kind of art and not ordinary nude photographs.
Let's find out more about Jan and the pictures behind the artist.

'feeling depressed'

First of all, I would like to thank Yvette for inviting me to tell you a little bit about myself and especially about my photography.
I am retired and therefore have a lot of time for my hobby, photography.
In my previous life I was a physiotherapist in my own practice. So the human body had my interest long before I started with photography. Our body is a real miracle and I admire the way it works. But it also looks beautiful. At least: if we take care of it properly.

When and how did your photographic journey begin?
At one time, about forty years ago, I just started taking photographs of a lot of subjects. I developed my own black and white films, printed them in a dark room, etc. The main problem for me was the technical method of making a good print.
On the other hand, I learned a lot about how to finish a photo. Because a photo isn't finished when you press the button on the camera. Most of the time you need to do some post-processing to finish a photo. If only to reward for all the efforts is just for yourself.

'Balance'

In the early days, the possibilities were limited. But today, with modern tools, there are no limits to transforming photos into a really good picture.Times have changed with digital photography. Many possibilities for creativity were opened up. The technical problems of developing film and printing photos in a dark room disappeared, and the big change came with computer programs like Photoshop. Especially in the last few years.siblities arose for creativity. Technical problems while devoloping films and printing photos in the dark room disappeared.The big change came with computer progams like Photoshop, especially in recent years.

For me, creativity has become more important than technology. Of course, technology is still the basis for a good picture, but the technical problems of the past are gone. Creativity is the future. These days I often create images on the screen. Fantasy is the limit. The basis for me, however, is working with photographs or images I have taken myself.

'stone on a belly'

For many of us, photography is either a hobby or a way of life. How would you define your relationship to photography?
In the beginning it was just a hobby. But nowadays, since my retirement, it seems to be a kind of day job.
Besides my personal interests, I use my knowledge to recover (old) images. For example in the order of associations, families, memories of the deceased, etc. It's gratifying work and I'm happy to do it. People are really grateful when they see the result. And that's my reward.

What would you say has been the most important experience that has influenced your steps in photography?
When I started, I photographed all kinds of subjects. But inspired by some famous photographers such as Sam Haskins, Helmut Newton, Bill Brandt, Jean Loup Sieff, Mapplethorpe, I slowly evolved to nudes and portraits.
In the beginning, I invited people I knew. Some of them were also interested in nude photography. Just like the examples in the books. Nothing shocking, but nice, clean photos.
But the most important change was the way people dealt with nudisme. Compared to a few years before, there was a big difference in lifestyle. Lucky me.

'nude sunbathing'

You have your own style and your work is varied. I see mainly superb fine nudes, but also some landscapes, street portraits and more. Can you explain why that is?
My most important work will always be nude photography combined with the materials I use. First I just took nudes, I just registered the 'subject' like I saw in the books. Unfortunately with a lower quality than the prints in the books ;-)

'hang on'

'sunflower'

'nude on rusty metal'

Other things I like to photograph... Besides nudes, I like to take pictures of animals, people abroad, landscapes, etc. Especially during my holidays abroad. First of all for the memories. But I select some pictures with the standards I am looking for. To finish them in the post processing.

'sunset in Africa'

'Zebras at sunset'

What is more important to you, the mood/story behind your images or the technical perfection?
It's a mix. But the whole scene has to be in balance. Balance in colour, in figure, in mood, in composition, etc. Without technical imperfections, of course.
Balance in an image is very important to me. Most of my pictures have this quality. Regardless of the subject.

'the drummerboy'

In general, what is your relationship to your subject matter, beyond that of an observer?
Do you carefully prepare the places and scenes you want to photograph?
Except for the pictures I take in foreign countries, I am not an observer.
It usually starts with an idea. After a while, I start looking for images in my archive, which is filled with photos I took (a long time ago). The nudes, the structures, etc.
The purpose of all this is to find a combination of two (or more) images that I can use for the idea.

'one day I will fly away'

Describe your general photographic vision.
Photography today is not the same as it used to be.
Photoshop was and still is a big game changer. In many examples where we talk about photographs, they are really products of a computer. Based on a personal idea.
I don't care, because I can translate the ideas in my head into the images I want. This possibility has changed my world. There is no way I could represent the images in my head without using the computer as a tool to complete the image.
In the beginning I also experimented with double exposure in cameras. Not digital cameras, but film cameras. Although sometimes some nice work came out of it, most of the time the results were not what I was hoping for.

'captured in stone'

Could you please tell us more about your workflow from idea to final product?
I don't have an exact idea. Basically, I start by looking in my archive for the (nude) images I want to use for my idea. Often I use only a part of that particular image and then I look for the structure(s) that I want to combine. The most important work is the search for the best result.
Sometimes I have spent hours searching, trying, looking for the best balance in the picture I have in mind. And when I am satisfied with the result on the screen, the printing process begins.

'looking at their shadow'

'nude picture on a wall'

'memories'

'memories 3'

'autumn leaf'

Where do you find inspiration and what inspires you most?
That is a difficult question to answer. It's a collection of impressions. It can just happen. Anywhere, at any time, in any mood. And sometimes it takes a while for new impressions to appear.
For example: A theme that I encounter more and more often and that inspires me is people who have reached the end of their lives. Lonely people, alone in the field or on the street.
The pictures shown below are not always reality, but results of my mind.
Converted with photos of people that I took in different circumstances. To substantiate the idea I had.

'the old lady on her way home'

'the past is near'

Many people think that the equipment is not very important when the passion for photography is strong. But could you please tell us what equipment you use (camera, lenses, lighting, tripod, etc.)?
I have a Canon Mark IV. With a few lenses. The lens I use most is the 24-105mm.
In special cases, for example (wild) animals, I use a 100-400mm lens.
In rare cases the 17-40mm. All Canon.
But in my opinion, knowing how to use the camera and the lenses is the most important thing for success. Next to the idea of what you want to achieve.

What is your favourite photo? Please tell us the story behind it.
My favourite photo is usually the last one. At least for a while. But when I look back, I like a lot of my photos. Because they are all memories. Memories of the moment, the place, the model and so on.


Who are your favourite photographers or mentors whose work has influenced you and your photography?
In the beginning I was inspired by the photographers I mentioned earlier.
In terms of structure and creativity, I was certainly inspired by Sam Haskins. He did wonders in those days. Without the help of computers.

Now that we have almost reached the end of this interview, I would like to ask you to tell us about any plans or photographic projects you would like to be involved in.
I don't have any plans for projects. The way I can fulfil my hobby in this way satisfies me.
No hurry, no deadlines, no appointments.
In my previous working life I had many appointments a day. Now I can balance that with an almost empty diary. And that's the way I want to keep it.

Is there anything else you would like to add and what do you think of 1X as a home base for your work?
I like the way 1x is set up.
The main reason I started with 1x was the fact that I could show my images to the members.
After curation, I have an idea of how my submitted work will be appreciated. And as a bonus, maybe get an award.
Also, I see a lot of beautiful photos in the gallery, as well as in the personal portfolios, as inspiration to raise the bar even higher.
Thanks again for the invitation.

Jan Donckers