On social media, you’ll see lots of stunning photos, including of the photogenic city and its beautiful surrounding countryside. Many amateur and professional photographers alike love to head out there to expand their portfolios. To help you get started, we’ve teamed up with professionals from Groningen to select the best tips and most picturesque spots for your next photo. Get your cameras ready!
Groningen’s gold
When you read our blogs, you’ll regularly come across a photo by Stella Dekker Photography. She knows better than anyone how to capture the soul of Groningen – but in her own style. There are few places in Groningen that Stella hasn’t photographed, but her favourites are the Kiekkaaste near Nieuwe Statenzijl and the Punt van Reide. “When the sun is shining and you look through the reeds towards the Kiekkaaste, that’s when you really see Groningen’s gold.” A tip Stella would give for taking a beautiful photo? “Be open to all the elements of your surroundings and experience them too. You do that by not just looking through your lens, but also looking around you.”
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Seasonal
Elwin, who shares his photos on Instagram as @tourist_in_own_city, has trouble choosing his favourite spot. "After all, the city looks different every season." Summer in the Noorderplantsoen neighbourhood, autumn along the Aweg or the H.A. Kooykerplein, and in winter cosiness comes first: (Christmas) lights galore! In spring, of course, the J.C. Kapteynlaan cannot be missed. Looking for a nice location for a photo? "Then first take a good look at your familiar surroundings. Often there is more to see than you think" says Elwin. Combine a guest house, barge house or mansion in one of the city's neighbourhoods with morning or evening sunlight. A beautiful snapshot is guaranteed!
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Early birds
Sebastiaan Rodenhuis, on the other hand, seeks out tranquillity. “My favourite place to take photographs is de Onlanden. Just outside the city, but you immediately feel as though you’re far away from all the hustle and bustle.” According to Sebastiaan, this area is at its most beautiful in the early morning, particularly in spring and autumn, when there’s a mist. “A kind of magic takes hold, making you feel as though you’re in another world for a moment.” On the way to de Onlanden , you’ll also find the Stadspark, which is another lovely spot for the photographers amongst us.
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It’s all about perspective
As a photographer, Harmen van der Vaart is always on the lookout for unique perspectives on well-known or lesser-known subjects. “When Forum Groningen opened its roof terrace in 2019, I’d found my new favourite spot in Groningen for taking photos.” One of his best-known and favourite photos is of the tower of Sint-Jozefkathedraal , with the DUO building behind it. “The funny thing about this photo is that many people think I took it with my drone, but it was actually taken from the roof terrace of Forum Groningen , using a telephoto lens.” His tip for other photographers is to photograph the same location more often. The time of day, season and weather mean you can capture a subject differently each time. But using different lenses and cameras, and seeking out unique perspectives, also makes photographing the same location more often a valuable learning experience.
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A love for Groningen
Through his work, Martin Postmus regularly drives through the Groningen countryside, where there is plenty of beauty to be seen. “I love vast landscapes where there’s also something to see; I then consider how I’m going to compose the shot.” After some deliberation between Noordpolderzijl and the Noordkaap – both situated on the Wadden Sea – the Noordkaap is his favourite after all. Especially at sunset. He also has a soft spot for old churches in our province, such as the church in Ezinge and the one in Uithuizermeeden. Martin recommends going for a surprising perspective when taking photos. For example, shooting low to the ground rather than at eye level. “Try to visualise a composition; that means looking, looking and looking again. And above all, enjoy taking photos!”
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Why not go for a cycle?
"Surely the Forum and the New Market are one of my favourite locations" says Daniel, the photographer behind the account @Igotscapes on Instagram. The combination of modern, sleek architecture and the view of the medieval architecture of the city centre are unique. Furthermore, he enjoys exploring the surrounding countryside by bike. "Start at Reitdiephaven and immediately photograph the colourful Scandinavian houses. Continue towards the little bridge at Dorkwerd and cycle via Wierumerschouw to Garnwerd, past Feerwerd with its picturesque leaning white church. Continue to Ezinge and then past the little church of Saaksum. Then cycle back to town via Fransum. This way, you will not only have collected a wealth of photos, but also done a good workout!" His tip? Go out even when the weather is not so good. Grey skies or a heavily overcast sky actually provide a special contrast on photos. If you still don't manage to take great photos, consider yourself a location scout and practise with your compositions. That way, you will know what to expect at this location with better conditions.
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Where nature and history come together
Just next to Termunten is the Punt van Reide, an area where Denise(@dmjdenise on Instagram) likes to go to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. A place where history and nature come together. Driving along the dyke, batterij Fiemel is not immediately noticeable, but once closer you can see the remains of the former battery. During the day, you can get to the battery yourself where the artillery was located, which also offers views over the area. "I often walk from batterij Fiemel across the dyke to go to the mudflats. Once back on the road, I walk a bit towards the seal lookout where you have an area for breeding birds halfway." As a photographer, she likes to stand still at a spot and look around to see what is happening. That way you capture moments that would otherwise pass you by. Her tip is therefore also to stand still somewhere, look for certain patterns, lines and other compositions and not always be on the move.
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Patience pays off
For Gerard Kobes, too, nothing tops Groningen. And he tries to capture as much of it as possible with his camera – from the city to the mudflats. “The city lends itself well to night photography, and the mudflats are superb at sunset with a nice long shutter speed.” Some of his favourite spots are the Paterswoldsemeer, Lettelberterpetten and, of course, the city centre. “But my absolute favourite spot remains the Kiekkaaste, with its long walkway winding through the tall reeds.” For anyone who also wants to take beautiful photos, Gerard’s tip is to be patient. “After sunset, the sky can still take on intense colours. Also, try out different compositions.”
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