Reflections at the Kinderdijk windmills

by Sander Poppe

On a quiet autumn evening at Kinderdijk, the water seemed to come to a near standstill. The famous windmills stood in a long line along the horizon, each one appearing slightly smaller as the distance increased. This interplay of lines lends depth to the landscape and emphasises the vastness of the Alblasserwaard.

Most of the foreground consists of water. As a result, the reflections play a key role in the image. The windmills, the clouds and the soft colours of the evening sky are almost entirely reflected, creating a tranquil and balanced landscape. Along the right-hand bank, a fringe of reeds provides a natural frame without detracting from the openness of the view.

What appealed to me about this moment was the silence. There was hardly any movement in the water and even the air seemed to be moving slowly. The combination of heritage, water and soft evening light clearly illustrates why Kinderdijk continues to attract so many photographers.

With its tranquil reflections and soft colour tones, this photograph brings a relaxed atmosphere to a space. The reflections are shown to particular advantage on Acrylglas or as a canvas print. The work is available in various sizes and retains its tranquil appearance even in larger formats.