I took this photo in quiet Garsthuizen, in the middle of the Groningen countryside. A province often overlooked when it comes to tulip fields, but for that very reason it has something pure and untouched. The rows of white tulips stretch endlessly towards the horizon, where a farmhouse and a few trees stand out against a dramatic cloudy sky. What appeals to me in this is the contrast between the threatening sky and the serene regularity of the flowers - a play of calm and strength.
The inspiration for this image came from my love of understated Groningen. While the crowds flock in droves to the fields in North Holland, I chose to show the 'other' tulip country. It is quieter, more spacious, more honest here. You can feel that calmness in the image: the taut lines of the tulips reinforce that sense of order and balance, while the light between the clouds evokes an almost picturesque atmosphere.
Technically, I deliberately chose a low viewpoint and a wide-angle lens to give the lines depth and draw you into the field as a viewer. This photo brings a sense of space and breath to any interior - perfect for people who love nature, tranquillity, and the unexpectedly beautiful. It is an ode to the north, where beauty does not impose itself, but wants to be discovered.
Ton Drijfhamer is a highly regarded image maker from Delfzijl, Netherlands, who combines his passion for photography with a deep-rooted love for the northern regions of the Netherlands. Ton describes himself as someone who is "alone, but together with the weather, the wind, and my.. Read more…