Three questions with Leo Schindzielorz
All about his passion for photography
Magical photos by Laura Vink
Laura bought her first digital camera on her seventeenth birthday. ‘So, I have been taking photos for half of my life", Laura says, smiling. ‘My favourite subjects are nature and landscapes, in the Netherlands and while travelling. For me, travelling and photography are inextricably linked.’
The golden hour
Laura loves colourful photos and therefore enjoys photographing sunrises and sunsets. ‘No two sunrises or sunsets are the same,’ she says, ‘and the colours in the sky are often really spectacular: red, pink, purple, orange, yellow. I don't think I'll ever get tired of that. Another moment in time I like to photograph is the golden hour. This is the hour after sunrise and the hour after sunset. The sun gives a warm glow to the landscape, which I find very photogenic. If I want to complete my 'wish list' for a beautiful photo, I would also have a layer of mist or fog in the landscape. That always gives the photo something extra in my eyes. A bit of magic.’
Years of experience
When asked how she works, Laura takes a moment to think. She says: ‘Sometimes I have a specific photo in mind, but sometimes I just 'come across' the photo. If I have a specific photo in mind, I try to plan or predict when I will have the right weather and light conditions. I know from experience that if a sunny day is followed by a cold and clear night, there is a good chance that there will be a layer of mist above a pond or meadow the next day. So those are the mornings that I set my alarm for really early. At home, this can be 'planned' a bit more than when travelling, because when you travel, you often visit a specific location for only one or a few days. Then luck plays a bigger part: you literally have to be in the right place at the right time.’
I take the photos for myself
‘Often, photos are on my computer for a long time before I do 'something' with them,’ she says. ‘Sometimes it is because I just don't have the time to select photos. But... in recent years the process of taking the photo has become more important than sharing the end result. I take the photos for myself, because it makes me so happy to be out in nature photographing a beautiful morning. I am no longer looking for confirmation or Instagram likes. It is the intrinsic motivation that makes me do it, and I know that the end result is better because of it. The only downside is that it often takes a long time before a photo is published on Art Heroes,’ she smiles.
No Swimming Today
If you happen to know that the ref. numbers on Art Heroes are ascending, then the number 106 is very special, because that is one of the first works uploaded to Art Heroes. ‘Yes,’ Laura says proudly, ‘that is the ‘No Swimming today’ piece. In the picture you see my legs hanging over the edge of an empty swimming pool. The photo was taken in 2008, when I worked as a pool attendant at Sport Fondsenbad Amsterdam Oost. The pool has existed since 1918, when it was built as a former milk factory. The tiles also date back to that time. During a summer renovation, the pool was empty and I decided to go and visit my colleagues. I had my camera with me, without really having a specific plan. But once there, this idea came to me. My camera was at the bottom of the empty pool and I dangled my legs over the edge. You can see the characteristic tiles that the pool had at the time. It's not only my favourite photo on Art Heroes, it's also my best-selling photo. In fact, it was the best-selling work in 2012. I sometimes still find it a bit bizarre that my feet are hanging in a lot of living rooms,’ she laughs.
Stylist Cynthia: “Are you also impressed by Laura Vink's work? Then choose a print on wallpaper to enjoy your favorite image extra grand.”
Laura's bestsellers
No Swimming TodayLaura Vink
Sunset on the rocksLaura Vink
Tuscany AvanueLaura Vink
121 seconds of silenceLaura Vink
Brooklyn bridgeLaura Vink
USA numberplatesLaura Vink
View on the EiffeltowerLaura Vink
Antelope CanyonLaura Vink
Mueller GlacierLaura Vink
HawaiiLaura Vink
ParadiseLaura Vink
The best sunset everLaura Vink
Sunset AitutakiLaura Vink
In The Waves of Change ILaura Vink
Sunrise - Loonse and Drunense HeideLaura Vink
Foggy morning in Sri LankaLaura Vink
Palm tree on white beachLaura Vink
Vilamendhoo MaldivesLaura Vink
Safe with MommyLaura Vink
Spring green in the fog IILaura Vink
Curious about more?Click here to go to Laura Vink's shop.
