The week before this article was published, it was announced that a second Dutch photographer had won at that year’s International Photography Awards (IPA, New York). Schoorl-based photographer Hans Stel submitted a photo of a pair of puffins on the Farne Islands and won first prize in the Non-Professional Nature, Wildlife category.
Earlier that year, Zeelandic-Flemish photographer Frank Peters won with two winter photos of Zeelandic Flanders in the Minimalism category.
"The group of puffins was sitting on a white wall surrounding the lighthouse. When I arrived, there was no one else there yet, and they were looking around undisturbed. I climbed onto a bench and, using a Canon 500mm F4 handheld, shot a series of photos, including this one. The sea mist in the background allowed me to create this white image. As soon as the first people arrived, the birds left."
Hans gives workshops and lectures and organizes nature photography trips to some of the most beautiful destinations on the planet. Madagascar in particular has captured his heart. He has won national and international awards for his photographs.
The IPA is one of the world’s most prestigious photography competitions, attracting tens of thousands of photographers each year.
More information: www.hansstel.com.
