(Note: All photographs displayed in this interview is copyrighted material, unauthorized use or reproduction for any reason is prohibited.)

Ruud Peters is known internationally for his photography and he has received numerous prestigious awards, a listing of which may be seen at his website under “news.”

I first met Ruud in 2004 while on a trip with my son John to Tanzania. On our way back to the USA, Ruud met us in Amsterdam and graciously drove us to France to see Bar le Duc, a place that may have been the origin of my family. During our trip, Ruud was constantly joking with us and warmed us with his humor. All of us took photographs during that journey. Sometime afterwards, Ruud published some of his shots and John and I were simply blown away at his talent. Despite the fact that we stood side by side with him while he worked, neither of us saw the same light he found.

I had mentioned to Ruud, during our journey, that I wanted to visit one of the World World I graveyards while in France. While there, I took many many photographs, but this one “Elis,” by Ruud, captured the essence of that visit perfectly:

In my view, Ruud Peters is the absolute master of what I call “impressionistic photography.” His works cannot be viewed without a feeling of majesty in what the scene unfolds.

Ruud is a native of The Netherlands, which I jokingly refer to as “Flat Land.” He likewise points out that Florida shares the same typography. Ironically, he does have a “Flatland” series of photographs. But, of course, we do not have the famous windmills and fields of flowers that grace his wonderful country.

If there is one photographer who I can point to as my inspiration, it is Ruud Peters. His work, in my view, is the among the most important work that is being done in photography today.

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Question:

Was there anyone (i.e. other photographers) who influenced your work, and what was it about his or her work that inspired you?

There’s one photograph who inspired to take up the cam, an image I saw in a French magazine some 25 years ago. I don’t know the name of the image or the author’s name. But the image is still clear in my head: It was shot from a corner window of the second floor (I think) over viewing a street crossing in the centre of Paris on a rainy fall day with only an elegant young lady with umbrella crossing the street. All in B&W. There was a huge atmosphere in that image that’s still very alive in my imagination and an inspiration until today.

Of course there a great admiration for Ansel Adams, but Martin Kers, a Dutch landscape photographer was more of an inspiration to me, a master of minimalistic landscape compositions.

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Queston:

Have you done any formal training in photography, or are you self-taught?

I went to a Photography school some 20-25 years ago, I didn’t learn photography over there though

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Question:

What is your favourite/most used post-processing technique (unless this is a trade secret).

The use of selective color to obtain more vivid colors, and gaussian blur for softening. Let’s say as little as possible and as much as needed.

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Question:

On your photographic journey, did you go through different phases? different styles?

Hard to tell, but probably from realistic to impressionistic to who knows.

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Question:

What influenced you in your choice of subject (landscape, portrait,
etc.)?

The main reasons for doing nature is of course the beauty of it and ever more important the absence of people, the peaceful quietness, especial in the early morning, but I see myself as an all-round photographer who’s aware of the fact that there’s a good scene hidden everywhere.

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Question:

Did you ever have any advice from colleagues, reviews, etc. and how
helpful was it to you?

It’s always good to see how others do their thing and I’m always open to new techniques.

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Question:

When you find your subject to shoot, are you usually looking for
something to enhance it? i.e. nice foreground in a landscape?

It all depends, no subject is the same so no approach is the same. The light is important, the composition is important, and when the scene needs a foreground it will get one.

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Question:

Tell us about your equipment and what pushed you to that decision.

Canon 20D; Canon 40D; Canon 17-85 EFS; Canon 50mm 1.4; Sigma 10-20EX; sigma 150mm EX 2.8 macro; sigma 100-300 f4 EX; lensbaby 3G; metz 58 AF-1; metz 45 ct-1; metz 32 CT-3; Gitzo GT2330 met manfrotto 141RC;

Why canon: cause I think it’s the best in this price range.

Why Sigma: same reason.

I would love to have some original canon L-glass, butt there are other bills to be paid.

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Question:

How do you see your photographic future, what do you dream about?

What I would love to shoot one image with the same quality as the image I talked about in the first question, that would make me a happy man.

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Question:

Do you have any specific photographic experiences that were of a wow factor and will remain with you forever?

Nope

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Q. How important is photography to you besides any financial gains?

I’m always taking pictures, most of the time without a cam, that is important. If it would be only financial gains, I would have stopped a long time ago, cause there aren’t any.

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Question:

If you would change what is now your favorite subject in photography, what other subject would you really like to follow?

If I would know anything about other subjects, I would already follow them.

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Question:

What really inspires you now?

The first “fall light” (the end of September) is, for me the biggest inspiration. Finally my favorite seasons fall and winter arrived. This happens every year again.

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Question:

Which one of your own images is very special to you and why? Could we also have that picture to display?

Right now this one, but it various all the time.

For me this is one of my best attempts in making a less is more composition. Always though of it as a winner, and last weekend it got awarded with first place in a major photo competition

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Question:

Can we have a link for our members to view your work on the Internet?

Ruud Peters Photography

Ruud Peters Portfolio At Shutterfreaks

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Question:

And finally, what message would you send to the visitors of our blog and in general any new or fairly new photographers?

The eye is more important than equipment.

There’s a good scene hidden everywhere.

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Thanks to Ruud for his time in answering my questions. One thing I do want to mention is that Ruud is a mentor for many photographers, he is always willing to critique, provide advice, and share his techniques with others. That is the mark of a true artist, in my opinion.