A magical morning among tulips, fog and windmills

On April 26, 2025, the well-known photographers Nick Skeyes and Ewoud Pahut held a workshop on tulip photography. I won't forget this morning anytime soon — what a morning. It had everything: mist, light, atmosphere and windmills. It was exactly that kind of experience: a fairytale morning full of sunbeams, misty fields and the iconic Dutch windmills.

A Shared Experience in the Tulip Fields

This morning in the Dutch tulip fields was not experienced in isolation. The workshop brought together a large group of visual creators, each drawn by the promise of fog, windmills, and the unique geometry of the blooming landscape. The atmosphere was calm and focused, with everyone working quietly as the scene unfolded.

Photographing the Tulip Fields Together

Being surrounded by other photographers added an extra layer to the experience. Each creator approached the same environment differently, influenced by personal style, equipment, and intention. Despite the group size, there was a shared respect for the landscape and for one another, allowing space for observation and creative concentration.

Aerial Perspectives and Drone Photography

A significant number of participants focused on drone photography, capturing the tulip fields from above as fog slowly moved across the land. From this aerial perspective, the landscape revealed a strong graphic structure—precise lines of color, intersecting waterways, and windmills emerging through the mist. These elevated viewpoints offered a powerful contrast to the more intimate compositions created at ground level.

Learning From Ewoud and Nick

This workshop marked the second time I attended a session led by Ewoud and Nick. Their guidance is calm, deliberate, and rooted in awareness rather than speed. Instead of chasing images, they emphasize reading the light, understanding the conditions, and allowing a scene to develop naturally. In weather defined by wind and shifting fog, this approach proved especially effective.

Changing Conditions in the Early Morning

As the morning progressed, the landscape continued to transform. Fog thickened and lifted, the wind subtly reshaped the tulip fields, and the light changed from moment to moment. These conditions demanded patience and adaptability—essential qualities in landscape photography. Rather than fighting the elements, the focus remained on working with them.

A Meaningful Start to the Day

Sharing this early morning among tulips, windmills, and fellow creators made the experience especially memorable. Workshops like this go beyond image-making; they reinforce the value of slowing down, being present, and connecting with both the environment and the creative process. It was a reminder of why mornings like these are worth returning to, time and again.