Keukenhoff: Chance Encounters

On my most recent trip to Europe down the Rhine Valley in the spring, it would have been remise not to visit Holland in all its glory, namely tulips in bloom in aeternum. This I did with my wife, and the whole experience was a bit overwhelming in many ways. For approximately two months this area of Holland, specifically Keukenhoff Gardens is visited by millions of world travelers. That means if one is interested in photographing tulips, these shots will inevitably have people in them. That is the challenge I faced.

Secondly, the size of the gardens and arrangements are beyond description, either visually or in words.

Some luck was on my side, since I was at the gardens in the early part of the day. There were people but not the crowds which amassed a couple of hours later.

The challenge was also before me of the particular light of the day. Sometimes harsh, but not always. I was constantly looking for that window or edge of soft light. Hopefully in the photo I approximated that special sense of beauty which is called Keukenholl — Holland in Bloom.