Introduction
As a start to this blog, I’d like to introduce myself. I’m Fred van Leeuwen, a South African-born landscape photographer now residing near Cheltenham in the U.K. I’ve been practicing the art of photography since my early teens and found my passion for landscapes near the shores of the Western Cape Province in South Africa. After shooting my first seascape at sunset in 2005, I was hooked!
One of my first seascapes, captured in the small town of Betty’s Bay, South Africa.
Canon EOS 5D, Canon EF 17-40 f/4 L
As time progressed, I became obsessed with light, investing all my time and effort into chasing the perfect composition with all the right ingredients. And I’m not done yet. I transitioned from shooting commercials and studio work to live concerts, and ultimately settled on landscapes for the ultimate challenge.
Landscape photography can be wild and unpredictable. You’re battling the elements at all times, and no amount of planning will guarantee a good photo. Sometimes the light and weather don’t play in your favour, and you’ll find yourself packing up more often than actually taking the picture. But therein lies the fun because every so often, all the pieces will fall into place and you’ll get the shot you were after, or even something better than you expected! And once that happens, it’s the most euphoric feeling you’ll experience when you’re out shooting.
An intense storms occuring in the skies above Betty’s Bay, Western Cape Province, South Africa
Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L II
Through years of photographing diverse landscapes, I’ve picked up tricks, learned lessons, and gained experiences that have taught me how to take better photos. As a result, I like to give back to the photographic community and often share these tips and tricks on my YouTube channel or in my articles published on Fstoppers.com. However, my aim for this blog is to delve deeper into some of my favourite landscapes, from planning to the equipment used and how I achieved the final result. Whether you’re new to the landscape photography world or a veteran, I hope these blog articles will help you achieve what you’re after. If there’s anything you want to know more about, please let me know in the comments; otherwise, please follow my journey via Instagram.
For now, happy shooting!
