Interview with Jelmer Jeuring

Hi Jelmer! Tell us about yourself in two sentences - who are you?

I am a Dutch photographer, who currently spends his office hours (and sometimes more) as PhD researcher. As a photographer I work under the name JJPerspectives. I love how photography allows me to translate the way I see the world into images to share with others.

QWhat's the weirdest situation you've found yourself in while taking a photograph?

ALast year I went on a trip through Bolivia. No shortage of photo opportunities there. In the middle of the amazing Uyuni salt flats, we came across a group of Bolivian kids on a school trip. Apparently they were more amazed by our white faces than by the endless white landscapes, as we we were not allowed to move on before they had all posed with us for a photo. More generally, and probably more special than weird, are those moments when I am out taking pictures and suddenly I realise there are no other people around. It does not happen often, but even in a seemingly crowded Netherlands this is possible!

QWhat do you shoot on? What's your favourite set up?

AI like abstract photos, with few or no people in it. If there are people in my photos, they often are not the main object of the image, but are part of the scene. I have a natural preference for landscape photography, but I am increasingly getting into street photography, a mysterious world that I love to explore further. Last year I was one of the winners of the Amsterdam Urban Photo Race, a 12 hour street photography contest with several assignments. This obviously was a great motivation to get more involved in urban and street photography. Also, I find long exposures very interesting and plan to develop my skills further in this.

My first DSLR was a Nikon D50, but since 1.5 year I have a D7100. I own four lenses: the Nikon AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX, the Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX AF 11-16mm f2.8, an old Sigma 18-200m 3.5-6.3 DC and a vintage NIKKOR-Q 200mm auto f4. For long exposures I use the 'big stopper' B&W 110 ND Filter.

QWhat's your number one tip for an aspiring photographer?

ASeveral tips, if I may :) First, practise. A lot. In between, read blogs, learn from other photographers. Second, make plans, anticipate on what situations you want to find yourself taking photos in. Try to visualize what image you want to end up with. And probably the most important lesson I learnt myself was a tip from the Dutch landscape photographer Bas Meelker: get out there! It is YOU who takes those amazing pictures, not all those lazy people who are sleeping in or staying inside when it's raining.