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Albert Dros
@albertdrosphotography
Photographer based in the Netherlands
Introducing Albert Dros
Having a background in Design and having had his own video company, Albert discovered photography while studying an MSc in Multimedia & Entertainment Technology in Hong Kong. This city invited him to capture it from any perspective, and he continued with this new passion once he got back to the Netherlands.
A colorful style characterizes Albert’s art, which is influenced mainly by his passion for design: “Working with color comes with practice. It takes years to be good at it (at least for me).” In the interview, Albert gives some great insights into how to work with strong colors and how to evaluate the edit.
For Albert himself, continuous progression and one viral photo were what helped to put his name on the map and be recognized “Always push to release your work on as many photography websites and blogs as possible”, Albert advises. Social media are great platforms, not only for interaction with the community but also commercially. So far, being a Sony ambassador since the original A7 has been Albert’s favorite “job” and he’s grown together with Sony. Working with Timberland is another project he particularly loved.
When it comes to favorite countries, Greenland and Antarctica really inspired Albert: “These areas have a certain special atmosphere. It’s very remote and the peace you find is really indescribable. This is not even about the photographs. It’s about the feeling these areas give you when simply being there. The photos are just the extra”, he mentions. But also his portfolio from his home country, the Netherlands, is work to be proud of and that helped him grow as an artist, even worldwide.
Far and foremost, having a good story with an image is super important, Albert says, no matter where the photo is taken. Writing little blogs about a photo can make a huge difference because everyone likes to publish a unique photo with a touching story. And “publications = visibility = possibility to get contacted by brands…” And with that, Albert emphasizes that in this age of social media, one cannot be “lazy”!
Would you like to know more about Albert’s story, get some insights on dealing with strong colors, and learn about his artistic and professional approach to photography? Then, keep reading!
Interview
Welcome Albert!
You have been in the field for over 10 years now. We can definitely see all those years of dedication and experience back in your art! It has been a pleasure going through your galleries. However, everyone has to start somewhere, right? Can you tell a little bit about yourself and how photography became not only your passion but also your career focus?
The transition into photography was quite ‘natural’ for me. I have a background in Design and have a MSc in Multimedia & Entertainment Technology. Before ‘discovering’ photography I was a designer and I also had my own video company. I was always a freelancer and worked a lot for television shows, designing graphics. I discovered photography when I lived in Hong Kong for 2 years while I was doing my Master Degree and also some work. The city basically invited me to capture it. There’s also ‘photography’ fever in Hong Kong and basically everyone carries a camera everywhere. I got hooked quickly, photographing everything around me: Street photography, Architecture, the amazing skyline and the landscapes around the city. When I eventually returned to the Netherlands I simply continued my new passion. And I started to become good at it quite fast.
"I was still doing some design work at the time but could combine it with some photography jobs I was getting. And I started to get more and more. Fast forward now photography is all I do!"
Related to that, becoming a full-time landscape photographer is not an easy path to follow. What were the tipping points along your journey that made you realize you were able to make a living with photography? We would love to learn from those experiences/moments that have allowed you to become the photographer you are nowadays.
For me it wasn’t really that tipping point. As a freelancer, I would always have that ‘safe zone’ of being able to do work for television or other companies. I was able to combine it. Eventually I just became so busy with photography that I had no time for other things anymore. And it has been like this for many years now. I think you realize you can make a living of it when you also get the recognition. It’s different for everyone of course, but for me it was having an image that went viral worldwide. It was a picture of my friend standing on a hill with the milkyway above, and the ISS flying over. Every press agency wanted something from me and I was even invited to television shows. One viral image and my name was ‘put on the map’. After that things were easier. People knew my name, wanted to buy images, licenses or wanted to follow workshops.
On your website you said: “post-processing is all about vision.” You have a distinct editing style which is certainly coming from the world vision you have, as an artist and as a human being. In general, what is your outlook on the world, your approach to life, and how is that reflected in your photography?
My photography really comes from my passion for design. I always liked to work with colours. Strong colours and flashy visuals is what I always liked to create. You can see this in my images as well. They often have strong compositions, and colours that match. I always find it very interesting when I think about my own style or the style of someone else. The images I ‘create’ are how I see the world. Or at least, how I want to show it to other people. Every person has their own vision, and it’s great when you can recognize that in a style. I try to show the moment to the viewer without altering the moment too much. I do however do a lot of colour work. You could say I kind of ‘romanticize’ a moment. The way the Dutch Masters would do this.
"A good friend and great photographer (Adrian Sommeling) once told me: “Albert, you are a modern Dutch Master.” I found that quite funny."
A lot of your work contains vibrant colors, while a moody, dark editing style is quite common among photographers nowadays. When photographers start with photography, oversaturating colors during the editing process is a common pitfall for many. What would be your advice on the use of color/ tools to get the best result when creating colorful photographs? And how do you personally go about the editing process of a colorful photo?
Every photo is different. Most of the time I already know how a finished photo (after post processing) will look when I press the shutter button. The vision is already in my head. Working with colour comes with practice. It takes years to be good at it (at least for me). My advice is to study some colour theory, and then simply practice practice practice. And show your results to your friends. Ask them for an honest opinion. If something is “off” that means you probably did something wrong.
"Feedback from ‘non-photographers’ is simply the best feedback, because that’s how most people look at your work."
When you edit a colourful photo, I recommend taking many breaks. Your eyes get used to your monitor and the image you’re working on. By taking a break you reset your eyes, and you will see if you pushed certain sliders too far, or maybe not enough. Take breaks during an edit, sometimes just 5 minutes, but also, check it again the next day. A trick I also often use is to look at the image on a very small size. This way you can see if certain colours or compositional elements are “correct”. I tend to see things much quicker when I quickly take a look at the very small sized image.
You launched a full editing course on landscape photography. On your website you explain perfectly what you will be teaching, but can you explain what makes your course unique? What are the lessons and feelings you want your participants to learn and experience?
I teach everything regarding my post processing techniques and style. I really have no secrets. I believe that I can teach everyone my techniques, but they will still create completely different images. Simply because someone’s vision is different from mine. You can know all the techniques, but the way you look at color is different than mine. That way, everyone is different.
My course teaches everything you need to know about getting the most out of your RAW files. Basically I want the student to be able to capture the moment in the perfect way. Sometimes it can be done in one shot, sometimes you need multiple exposures, sometimes you need a panorama, or focus stacking. There are no obstacles or problems, I teach all the solutions.
I am extremely happy on how my course was received. I also created an independent Trustpilot website where people can leave reviews and all the reviews have been extremely positive. We also have a private facebook group where people show each other work.
In one of your feed posts with Windows XP style photos, you say: “I have been trying to pitch these to Microsoft, but no luck so far.” Many photographers will recognize the absence of response or rejection when pitching to brands, and the uncertainty connected to that. How do you personally deal with these situations? And what helped you to gain confidence when reaching out to brands?
I currently have the luxury that I often get approached by “big” brands! And I can tell you this: Always push to release your work on as many photography websites and blogs as possible. The more visibility you have online, the more likely people will recognize you or brands will contact you. When you contact a brand yourself, make sure you have something interesting. Not only the photo, but also the story. Story is super important. Make sure you have a good story with an image. Not only technical, but mainly the emotions. Start to write little blogs with your photos. If you have a unique photo with a nice story, everyone will want to publish it. And publications = visibility = possibility to get contacted by brands. Because you would be surprised how many “big” brands just have “simple” design departments subscribed to many of the big photography and design websites online.
You worked with big brands worldwide. What has been one of the projects you enjoyed most working on? What made this so special for you and how did it contribute to your professional development?
I really love that I have been a Sony ambassador for almost 5 years already. Since the original A7 basically. I “grew” together with Sony. It’s a win win and I am really happy with this relationship. Through the years I’ve got to know basically everyone at the company and it’s great to see how the relationship is still growing with many upcoming projects. You’ll see my face and images on many banners, billboards etc, and this is something to be really proud of for me.
Regarding a single project, I really loved working with Timberland. Not only do I love their shoes (I have multiple pairs), but they licensed images from me for their stores world wide. You might have seen them in the stores in NYC (where they appeared first). Images printed in the stores are sometimes 5 meters wide. It’s really amazing to work with such a big brand and have your images printed and seen by so many people.
You have been able to grow a significant social media following. We are curious to know which strategies worked for you in this regard. Posting great content has certainly been helpful, but did you use any other strategies and/or actions to become (and remain) “notable/visible” on social media?
I think it’s just that I really like social media. I like interacting with people but at the same time I feel that social media is also very valuable commercially. Even the platforms where I don’t have many followers I often post content, simply because everyone who can see your images is an extra potential client. I love a platform like Twitter for example, where I don’t have that many followers. But the interaction there is great.
Regarding strategies, I really don’t have one. I just try to be ‘active’ on every major platform that is out there. With being active I mean posting every few days (if I have time sometimes every day). By being active and keep ‘pushing’ your work you create lots of visibility and people will start to notice you. I have done this for years, and I am still doing so.
"I guess you could say in this age of social media one cannot be “lazy”!"
You managed to travel the world and visit some of the most remarkable locations in every country. We are curious to know, among all the places you have visited until now, could you name three landscapes that really sparked your creativity and inspired you? Why do you think that was? And what are you still dreaming of seeing and photographing?
The 2 polar regions, especially Greenland and Antarctica are really inspiring. Coming from a country that doesn’t have a lot of snow and ice, it’s incredible to go to these icy worlds. But not only because of that. These areas have a certain special atmosphere. They are very remote and the peace you find there is really indescribable. This is not even about the photographs. It’s about the feeling these areas give you when simply being there. The photos are just the extra.
I love to photograph unique things, or extraordinary things. Another ‘landscape’ I really loved was photographing the erupting volcano lined up with the milky way in 2017 in Guatemala. It was just surreal to stand on top of a mountain and see this “classic” volcano erupt in front of my eyes. I remember seeing an old movie as a kid with Harrison Ford. I think it was simply called Volcano. Ever since then I’ve wanted to see these kinds of landscapes in real life.
But I do not only get triggered by landscapes. Extreme cities (you can also find a ‘Modern Cities’ category on my website) also really spark my interests. Of course there is Hong Kong where I discovered my passion for photography. But also cities like Dubai, that are so futuristic that I love to photograph it. I guess you could say I just like to see and photograph extraordinary things.
I am sure that you have many favorite photos. Or probably even all of them have a special meaning to you. But can you share with us three images you are really proud of? What is the background story of these photos and what makes you feel proud of these ones in particular?
I am very proud of the shot with the erupting volcano in Guatemala that I mentioned earlier, lined up with the milky way. Simply because there was a lot of planning involved in this image. And I LOVE to plan shots. And this shot was an extreme example of that. All the effort and everything came together in that single moment of time. You can read the full story here.
I am also very proud of my series from Kyrgyzstan. I feel that these images really put the country on the map and by that means have a small influence on the (photo) tourism in the country. I even received some award from the minister of tourism for my efforts. I discovered this country because of my girlfriend. She’s from there and she showed me the beauty of this country. I am also very proud of these images because they’re unique in any sense. It’s like painting on a blank page with zero influences and inspiration. You just go there and see what you find. And these are the images that came out. You can see the images here.
And then finally, I am actually proud of my portfolio from my own country, the Netherlands. Dutch people will say that our country is rather boring with no amazing mountains or crazy cities with skyscrapers. But we have so much beauty. And this is also what made me really grow as a photographer, even worldwide: by showing the beauty of my homeland. You can see a gallery of images here.
So these are not really specific images (unlike the volcano image) but more like ongoing projects. This is also something that I love doing: making a series to display the beauty of a country, situation or even a single moment.
What are some projects, landscapes or countries/places you dream of realizing, capturing or visiting as a creator?
It may sound very cheesy but I have always been inspired by space. In the future, when commercial space travel allows, I would love to do a photo project in space. Other than that, there are many countries that I still want to visit. But I often say that the location is not the main thing for me. I look at the conditions. There’s a bunch of conditions that I still want to photograph in a beautiful location. Think of that thunderstorm, combined with a rainbow, on an amazing location like a Dutch tulip field, or a beautiful mountain in Austria. The location doesn’t necessarily matter, as long as the weather conditions line up. And believe me, my head is full of amazing images like that, that I probably never photograph in an entire lifetime. But that’s what keeps me going.
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