A hidden spot in a wood where you would drive over the little bridge without a second thought. I confess I had seen a photo of this location from another photographer, so I may not be very original, but inspiration comes in different ways. The reflections on the Oelerbeek (Oeler Stream) are always stunning here, thanks to the gnarled trees above the relatively calm water. It is about a 2-hour drive from where I live, so I had to choose the right moment to get there. Weather, above all other factors, was probably the most important one. As the surrounding Twickel estate (the name dating back to the 14th century) is also worth a thorough visit, I planned for a long day of walking and photographing: visiting the castle, gardens, and park.
This particular north-facing spot in the park can be quite dark due to the many tall deciduous trees. I therefore planned and waited to get there until the sun would be at its highest and shining in the direction of the stream towards the center of attention: the trees hanging over the water. The planning paid off, as within half an hour of my arrival, the sun found its way exactly where I had hoped. A bit of luck too, I suppose.
Different settings and compositions were made, and later at home I found a particular dark, black-and-white edit much to my liking. However, this more realistic version is exactly what I had in mind, and after many failed other plans, I was very pleased that my long drive had been worthwhile.
