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Name: Peter-Paul de MeijerHome Town: Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Home Base: Rotterdam
Home Page: www.ppdemeijer.com
Sponsors/employer: I’m part of the RELOAD-crew, the WFA Press Bureau and frequently working for Taste Magazine Benelux.
Sports Photographed: Snow and skate. But I love to be at the track as well.
Favorite subject: No-one in particular really. Just the guys that are thoroughly fired up on their sport and go for it. Also I try to visit the buddies in Flachau, Austria, each year. - They bring the best vibe. If you’ve seen that new Airblaster movie you know what I mean. Maybe not the biggest tricks or the best conditions, nor the biggest kickers, but definitely the best time.
Recent Projects: I actually just came back from the Amsterdam Marathon. Did U2 in the Arena this summer and already have a trip planned to Austria in the near future - that’s probably next month. Also I’m working on the new website.
Do you remember when you realized photography was more than a point and shoot camera?I started practicing photography around the same time I found out the new way to cross the streets was by skateboard. We would go out and shoot the crappiest skate photos on small makeshift ramps with a point-and-shoot camera and a magnetic wide-angle converter attached to it.
We would glorify the skate magazines and sequences were the Dali’s of the industry. Those were good days. Those got me into photography. Now I have all that gear, but I’ve never even tried to shoot a sequence.
What was your first camera? And what is your current.
I think it was a Pentax Optio very early model. Nowadays I use the D300 for almost everything I shoot and occasionally still use the D70. Also I got and old but mint Nikon FM for my birthday that is still waiting to be touched. Should be fun!
What has photography done to your life?
It’s like a washing machine that hasn’t stopped tumbling just yet.
Still being a student things really tend to intermingle at times, but it’s all so worth it.
As a career photography has let you see much of the world. Where are the places you wish to return or are most memorable?
Born European, the Alps carry the only slopes that I have skied. There’s no need to go further though, Cham and Verbier are amazing.
Being an action sport photographer, one would generally assume you also play the games you shoot. What are favorite sports to do with out a camera bag on your back?
Skiing powder is the best feeling in the world. At home (NL) I tend to jog a few times a week to keep the mind fresh and hopefully productive. I’ve also started surfing this summer. I’m no talent but I’ll get there.
Who or what do you look too find inspiration in?
Photo1664 and Queenpin have a great aggregation of weblogs for action sports photography and I’ve always loved David Houncheringer’s editorials. Andrew Strain has the best landscape shots and Mike Berard writes the most entertaining blog posts ever, I recently discovered.
Life behind a lens means being witness to the best of times and the worst. Please let us know an experience from each.
Worst: It’s a general rule that riders tend to push themselves extra hard to nail that one shot they and you’ve been living up to. I’ve seen plenty of injuries come along.
Best: When every piece of the puzzle falls together. Those perfect conditions, that perfect weather, that trick that finally worked out. The first beer you drink afterward let’s you know that frozen index finger was worth it.
What would you say to a young shooter with who dreams of traveling the world taking photos of the elite athletes in our sports?Put on your biggest smile and a pair of decent shoes and go for it!
Tell us one over looked lesson you have learned in the photo business:
My house was robbed last summer while we were on a surfing trip to France. Fortunately most of my photo gear was traveling with me.
I left a bunch of back-up drives on my desk though. When we got home I was (more than) relieved to see they were still there, probably because of the rugged shape they were in.
Hence my tip, pile your hard drives with stickers, or maybe a bit more pleasing for the eye and mind, make multiple back-ups and store them somewhere safe.
Recommended reading:
Quotes you have liked over he years:
"C’est en forgeant qu’on devient forgeron" - Practice makes perfect
"I like my coffee strong, not lethal" - M*A*S*H
