Jaap Scholte, resident of Nieuw-Vennep and landscape photographer

Jaap Scholte lives in Nieuw-Vennep and shoots the most beautiful pictures in Haarlemmermeer. He works as a financial controller, but in his spare time Jaap is a landscape photographer. He shares the best photos on his instagram page. From the daffodil fields at Vijfhuizen to a sunrise along the water at the Ringvaart: Jaap captures the Haarlemmermeer nature in a unique way. Read more quickly about his passion for photography.
Jack Scholte

Jaap, what is your link with Haarlemmermeer?  

I have been living in Haarlemmermeer for about 26 years. I have lived in Hillegom and Hoofddorp and have been living in Nieuw-Vennep for 22 years now. 
 

After having surgery on my knee, I started working part-time. During my rehabilitation I started walking small distances through the area. Because of this I started to discover different places in Haarlemmermeer. That's how I started my landscape photography.   
 

What are your favorite places to hike and photograph? 

I prefer to walk through Spaarnwoude. The area along the Spaarndammerdijk is the nicest, there is so much to see here. I also like to walk in the Haarlemmermeerse Bos. De Groene Weelde is also a beautiful walking area. As a cycling area, the Ringvaartdijk in the south of Haarlemmermeer is beautiful, near Buitenkaag. Unfortunately, my knee no longer works 100% due to the accident, so I do less cycling myself now. 

I prefer to walk through Spaarnwoude. The area along the Spaarndammerdijk is the nicest, there is so much to see here.
Stubby Tower
Jaap Scholte walking

What is your favorite time to photograph? 

I prefer to shoot during sunrise and sunset. Then the light is the most beautiful. During the day you often have hard light in the Netherlands, which makes it not convenient to photograph. It is also possible during stormy and cloudy weather, but sunrise works best for me. 

 
How did you get started with photography? 

I've only been shooting for 3 years. In the beginning, I followed many tutorials on YouTube to learn the technique. I am also in contact with photographers abroad, such as English photographers. That way I can get tips from people who know a lot about it.  
 

Ordered before my photography I use an SLR camera with different lenses. Sometimes I just use my mobile phone, an iPhone 13 pro max. Landscape photography and cities is my expertise. I actually photograph everything I like and all the details that I encounter during my walks. 
 

I would recommend beginning photographers to just start with your mobile phone.

Do you have any tips for budding photographers? 

I would recommend beginning photographers to just start with your mobile phone. You don't have to buy an expensive camera right away. I also advise everyone to watch tutorials on YouTube to learn all the basics extra quickly. 
 

With a good mobile phone you can take excellent photos. The most important thing is the composition, so pay close attention to front, center and background. I also take great photos with my iPhone. Only when I enlarge and print them do I see a difference in sharpness.  
 

What are you proud of as a resident of Haarlemmermeer? 

I am proud to live in Haarlemmermeer. You are close to everything: Amsterdam, Leiden, Haarlem, you name it. The roads are good, you are very centrally located here.  
 

I invite anyone who is curious about my photography to take a look at my instagram page. Who knows, you might get inspired to get started yourself during a walk through the beautiful surroundings of Haarlemmermeer!