Jeroen Hofman is a renowned photographer known for his captivating shots of landscapes and emergency response training facilities, taken from a unique elevated perspective. His distinctive style is influenced by the works of acclaimed photographers Hans van der Meer, Edward Burtynsky, and Gregory Crewdson. Jeroen honed his craft while studying photography at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague, where he first gained recognition for his innovative series, "Playground" (2011). His talent has been widely recognised, and he has won the prestigious Silver Camera award twice: once for "Playground" and once in 2014 for his portrait of Hans van Manen.

In his series, "Park" (2018), Hofman emphasised the role of landscapes, capturing breathtaking portraits that showcase the relationship between people and their environment. He uses a hundred-million-pixel camera with a digital back that he places on a technical camera to capture images with great detail. The artist's work is heavily influenced by the old Dutch masters, and he draws inspiration from the landscapes of Philip Koninck and the cityscapes of Vermeer, among others. His goal is to document the present as accurately as possible, relying on the extensive collection of images he has amassed in his mind.

On Landscape Photography

Landscape photography has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to the early days of photography itself. In fact, many early pioneers of photography, such as William Henry Fox Talbot and Louis Daguerre, experimented with capturing images of the natural world around them. However, it wasn't until the mid-19th century that landscape photography began to emerge as a distinct genre.

One of the earliest and most influential practitioners of landscape photography was the British photographer, William Henry Jackson. In the 1860s, Jackson joined a number of expeditions to the American West, where he captured stunning images of the rugged landscapes and natural wonders of the region. His photographs were widely circulated and helped to popularize the idea of the American West as a place of rugged beauty and adventure. Jackson's work also played an important role in the establishment of Yellowstone National Park, which was the first national park in the world and a major inspiration for many landscape photographers to come.

The Future of Landscape Photography

The future of landscape photography is an exciting prospect, as advancements in technology and new approaches to the art form promise to push the boundaries of what is possible. One trend that is likely to continue is the use of drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles to capture breathtaking images from above. This approach has already proven popular with photographers like Jeroen Hofman, who uses a 20 metre high crane or an elevated aerial platform to capture landscapes and cityscapes from a unique and elevated perspective.

Another area of innovation in landscape photography is the use of new techniques and technologies to create images that blur the line between photography and other forms of art. For example, some photographers are experimenting with mixed media techniques, combining photography with painting or other visual arts to create unique and highly expressive images. Others are exploring the use of virtual reality and other immersive technologies to create fully interactive landscape experiences that allow viewers to explore and interact with natural environments in entirely new ways.

One thing is certain - the future of landscape photography is bright, with endless possibilities for new and innovative approaches to capturing the beauty and majesty of the natural world. As technology continues to evolve and new artists emerge with fresh perspectives and ideas, we can expect to see some truly groundbreaking and awe-inspiring works of art that redefine our understanding of what landscape photography can be.