Imaging The Netherlands 014: Local Elections Billboard, Nijmegen (GL)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

014: Local elections billboard

Municipal elections are held in the Netherlands every four years. This often takes place at the beginning of March. The Dutch government is constantly working on the redistribution of municipalities. Almost every year some municipalities merge into larger existing or new municipalities. Fifty years ago, the Netherlands counted about a thousand municipalities, but nowadays the number even dropped below four hundred. Brazil, by contrast, has more than five thousand municipalities, with more than eight hundred in Minas Gerais alone. The largest Brazilian municipality – Altamira – is slightly smaller in surface area than Uruguay. Back to the Netherlands. fourteen national and local parties participated in the Nijmegen local elections. On a billboard as in the photo, it is quite difficult to attract most attention and thus most votes.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2010, 2017

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Imaging Brazil 332: Carving a Statue in Belo Horizonte, MG (2011)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

332: Carving a statue

In the late eighties of the last century, a large-scale exhibition of regional and national handicrafts (artesanato) was held for the first time in the large exposition halls of Expominas. Since then, this expo is held annually, a few weeks before Christmas. Every year has its own theme; in 2011, it was: ‘São Francisco, O Rio and O Santo’, about the São Francisco river, the lifeline of South-East and North-East Brazil. Over seven thousand exhibitors show their – mostly – self-produced goods to over 160 thousand visitors. There are also some demonstrations of handwork, in which skillful hands conjure a work of art from a raw object. In the photo, a wood artist is busy chiseling and cutting a wooden statue of Virgin Mary.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

Imaging Portugal 001: Fisherman Watching Fishing Rods, Porto

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

001: Watching the fishing rods

Portugal has become one of my favorite visiting countries after my visits in the autumns of 1999, 2001, and 2003. I stayed in Porto, and from there I traveled to nearby and further locations, including Lisbon, Sintra, Coimbra, Aveiro, Viana do Castelo, among others. When I was in Porto, there was much to see and to visit. I have walked many hours in downtown, where I have enjoyed very much the historic buildings that transpire their past. The century-old thick walls, the façades tiled with beautifully painted blue-and-white tiles, the azuleijos. I also have walked along the Douro River, where I was observing the daily routines of local fishermen. The fisherman in the picture was keeping an expert eye on no less than five fishing rods.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 1999, 2001, 2003, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2013 – 022

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2013.

Part 22:
Curitiba (PR) – Greenhouse behind a fountain
Curitiba (PR) – Dark clouds over botanical garden


Curitiba (PR) – Greenhouse behind a fountain

Curitiba (PR) – Dark clouds over botanical garden

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2013, 2017

Imaging USA 009: Near Artist’s Point, Monument Valley

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

009: Artist’s Point

It almost beyond belief that we visited Monument Valley on a rainy day: it hardly every rains there! Fortunately, the rain stopped halfway our guided tour through the valley. While we already saw breathtaking views of various buttes as black silhouettes against a heavily clouded sky, we could amaze more when the sky started to clear, and the sun appeared. The wet soil started to dry up, and silhouettes became lighter and much more colorful. It was as if a black-and-white world was worked with a wide range of natural, bright colors. Reddish brown buttes, reddish orange soil, that much be very rich of iron ore, greyish green and greyish yellow desert vegetation. All of them natural pigments on a artist’s palette. No wonder why this location was called Artist’s Point, I felt myself as a real artist here. 

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 1999, 2017

Imaging Brazil 331: Fishing Boats and Nets in Vila Velha, ES (2011)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

331: Fishing boats and nets

At Pentecost 1535, a Portuguese expedition landed at what is now called Vila Velha (‘Old City’). Hence the name Espírito Santo (‘Holy Spirit’) for the state. Vila Velha was the capital until 1551, when Vitória (‘Victory’: named because of the glorious victory over the original inhabitants) was declared the new capital. Today, the city hosts almost half a million inhabitants. Tourists mainly visit the Penha Convent, located on a high mountain, and the beaches along the city: Praia da Costa, Praia de Itapoã and Praia de Itaparica. Praia da Costa is flanked by a ribbon of high-rise buildings, and is illuminated in the evenings. This is a remarkable contrast to the simplicity of the fishing boats and the nets spread on the beach.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2012 – 025

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2012.

Part 25:
Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (ES) – Stray dog
Guarapari (ES) – Water mirror on the beach

Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (ES) – Stray dog

Guarapari (ES) – Water mirror on the beach

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2012, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2014 – 008

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2014.

Part 8:
Porto Alegre (RS) – Themis statue at Palácio da Justiça
Porto Alegre (RS) – Sunset at Lago Guaíba
Porto Alegre (RS) – Sunset at Lago Guaíba

Porto Alegre (RS) – Themis statue at Palácio da Justiça

Porto Alegre (RS) – Sunset at Lago Guaíba

Porto Alegre (RS) – Sunset at Lago Guaíba

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2014, 2017

Imaging The Netherlands 013: Dog’s Patience at Keizer Karelplein, Nijmegen (GL)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

013: Dog’s patience

When you arrive in Nijmegen by car, it is almost impossible to miss the giant traffic rotund of Keizer Karelplein (Charlemagne Square). More than seventy thousand vehicles use this rotund every day. It is a so-called classic rotund, and may be very confusing for those who make use of it for the first time. The rotund was created in 1879, when the remaining fortress was demolished as part of large-scale urban expansion works.  It was named after Charlemagne, who had one of his favorite palaces located in Nijmegen. In 1944, a crucial battle was fought in this square between American paratroopers and the German army. The Americans failed to conquer, which resulted in a decisive delay of the advancing allied troops on their way to neighboring Arnhem. The square now hosts a small park, with some ponds and a statue of Charlemagne. However, it is impossible to reach the park during rush hours. The dogs on the photograph are waiting patiently until they are allowed to cross one of  the six streets that gather at the Keizer Karelplein.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2010, 2017

Imaging Brazil 330: Wooden Bridge in Mariana, MG (2011)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

330: Wooden Bridge

The first city and capital of Minas Gerais is located at a little more than a hundred km from Belo Horizonte. Initially, the village was named Alberquerque, not much later renamed into Ribeirão do Carmo. In 1745, the Portuguese king decided to name the city after his wife, Mary of Austria: Mariana. It was capital of Minas Gerais for only nine years, when in 1720, neighboring Vila Rica (now Ouro Preto) became the new capital. Mariana has a cozy historic center, located on many hills. There are a number of churches that contain works of the famous baroque sculptor Aleijadinho. Near the railway station, you can find this wooden bridge, which is shared by cars and pedestrians.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2013 – 021

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2013.

Part 21:
Curitiba (PR) – Pine tree water reflection
Curitiba (PR) – Botanical garden


Curitiba (PR) – Pine tree water reflections

Curitiba (PR) – Botanical garden

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2013, 2017

Imaging USA 008: West and East Mitten Buttes, Monument Valley

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

008: West and East Mitten

At the border between the states of Arizona and Utah is the famous Monument Valley. The desert-like landscape counts several giant rocks scattered over the valley. Two of those so-called buttes are named mittens, due to their shape: giant hands with the thumb inward. They are located within a few kilometers from the state border, at a height of almost 1900 meters above sea level. The West Mitten measures 261 meters, while the East Mitten is a bit higher: 313 meters. Compositions with both mittens are one of the most popular among the many amazing scenes in Monument Valley

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 1999, 2017

Imaging Brazil 329: Shoal of Fish in Belo Horizonte, MG (2011)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

329: Shoal of fish

In weekends, I used to wander around in the center of Belo Horizonte, and paid a visit to one of the municipal parks. The nearest municipal park is Parque Municipal Américo Renné Giannetti, which is located at the Afonso Pena Avenue. My favorite locations in this park were the Butterfly Garden, where you could meet a collection of colorful flowers that attracted some dozens of butterflies of various sizes, shapes and colors. Another favorite spot of mine was the pond that hosts certain water bird species and some fish species. When you take a closer look in the water, you can observe the big, colorful koi carps. Smaller, and less colorful fish are seen on the photograph. A large shoal of grayish-brown fish of different sizes and age. The younger fish have big heads and big eyes. They must be searching desperately for oxygen or for some food.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2012 – 024

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2012.

Part 24:
Serra do Cipó (MG) – Yellow spot on a white flower
Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (ES) – Itapemirim River

Serra do Cipó (MG) – Yellow spot on a white flower

Cachoeiro de Itapemirim (ES) – Itapemirim River

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2012, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2014 – 007

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2014.

Part 7:
Porto Alegre (RS) – Igreja do Santíssimo Sacramento e Santa Teresinha
Porto Alegre (RS) – Igreja do Santíssimo Sacramento e Santa Teresinha
Porto Alegre (RS) – Tempting graffiti

Porto Alegre (RS) – Igreja do Santíssimo
Sacramento e Santa Teresinha

Porto Alegre (RS) – Igreja do Santíssimo
Sacramento e Santa Teresinha

Porto Alegre (RS) – Tempting graffiti

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2014, 2017

Imaging USA 007: Three Sisters Butte in MONUMENT VALLEY (UT)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

007: Three Sisters Butte 

Following Grand Canyon, Monument Valley was the next stop in our round trip through South-West USA. The distance between the Canyon and the Valley was a three-hour drive over a distance of almost three hundred km. The thirteen square km Valley is part of a Navajo Tribal Park. It hardly every rains in Monument Valley, but we were confronted with a rainy day there. Instead of the sun shining abundantly, with a lightly clouded sky, the sky was covered with heavy clouds. We saw a scenic panorama that was very different from the standard images that we were used to see in touristic folders or magazines. We were toured around the valley by a Navajo guide. The picture shows the Three Sisters Butte, three thin pinnacles that are eroded remnants of a narrow ridge. The heavy clouds provided a different image of the rock formation: darker, deeper colors, against a bluish-grey sky.  

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 1999, 2017

Imaging Brazil 328: Discover the Gecko in Belo Horizonte, MG (2011)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

328: Discover the gecko

Gekko’s are common in Brazil. Many Brazilian houses are inhabited by one or more geckos. One may consider the gecko is a symbol of luck, while the other wants to get rid of them as soon as possible. Because the gecko chases mostly on insects, most Brazilians leave their uninvited housemate in peace. For me, a gecko is a welcome guest, given his love for mosquitoes and cockroaches. It has not happened to me that a gecko tried to approach me. In fact, we respect each other. The gecko on the picture was found on a paved square. Because this animal had adapted itself to the tile pattern, it was hardly possible to discover this little reptile ….

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017

IMAGES OF BRAZIL: SELEXION 2013 – 020

A selection of photographs taken in Brazil in 2013.

Part 20:
Curitiba (PR) – Bosque do Papa
Curitiba (PR) – Clouds reflected on sky scraper


Curitiba (PR) – Bosque do Papa

Curitiba (PR) – Clouds reflected on skyscraper

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2013, 2017

Imaging The Netherlands 012: Plein 1944 in NIJMEGEN (GL)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

012: Plein 1944

Plein 1944 -freely translated as 1944 Square – is one of the principal squares in the city of Nijmegen. On 22 February 1944, American Air Force planes dropped their bombs upon the center of Nijmegen. By mistake, because they thought that they were above German soil. In the same year, the city was liberated from the German occupation. The destroyed area became a central square between the Grote Markt square and the railway station. Initially, it was baptized into Koning Hendrik VII Plein (King Henry VII Square), who granted city rights to Nijmegen. Soon, the square was renamed into Plein 1944, referring to both the devastating bombing and the liberation in 1944. Gradually, the square became a lifeless parking lot, until the definitive reconstruction that was finished in 201. The square is now much smaller, surrounded by modern residences and a parking garage. At the time of my visit in 2010, a carpet of grass covered a great part of Plein ’44.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2010, 2017

Imaging Brazil 327: Driving in a Flooded Street in Belo Horizonte, MG (2011)

A personal selection of photographs with their stories.

327: Driving in a flooded street

The tropical summer in Belo Horizonte is warm and very wet, while the winter is cool and very dry. The raining season begins in September, after months without rain, with abundant rainfall in the months of November, December, January and February. On some days, especially in the summer months, threatening thunder clouds dominate the sky. Cloudbursts follow, and the effects are immediate: the sewer system can not cope with the abundant rainfall, the streets become flooded. It is better to avoid these streets, but some daredevils, however, continue their ride through the water.

© Adriano Antoine Robbesom 2011, 2017