Old paper money, seen from a different world.

For this series, I explored an idea using my Canon MP-E 65mm macro lens—diving deep into the details of historical banknotes. A friend kindly brought part of his collection, and this is one of the first results: a Belgian 100 franc note, captured at extreme magnification.

At first glance, you might think you’re looking into the eyes of a lady. But look again—this is actually part of a bearded man. When isolated like this, reality shifts. Scale changes perception.

What fascinated me most are the physical details: the thickness of the ink, the tiny fibers of the paper, and the precision of printing techniques from the early 2000s. These notes were not just currency—they were carefully engineered objects designed to resist forgery through complexity at both visible and microscopic levels.

Captured with my Canon 5DS R and Canon MP-E 65mm.

#MacroPhotography #MacroWorld #CanonMPE65 #Canon5DSR #CloseUp #ExtremeMacro #DetailPhotography #Texture #PaperTexture #InkDetails #Banknote #BelgianFranc #OldMoney #CurrencyArt #HiddenDetails #OpticalIllusion #AbstractPhotography #Perception #VisualIllusion #FineDetails #PhotographyTechnique #StudioPhotography #CreativePhotography #ExploringDetails #Magnification #MicroWorld #ArtInDetails #MoneyArt #HistoricalObjects #DesignDetails #WonderingLens #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #PixelfedPhotography #LightAndLife #VisualStory #AbstractView #PhotographyArt #HiddenWorld #MacroShot

On a winter’s day in the Kampina, I crossed paths with one of my favorites: the Crested Tit (Lophophanes cristatus), or kuifmees in Dutch.

A small, energetic bird with its unmistakable crest—like a tiny mohawk—usually hidden high in pine canopies. Not an easy one to spot, let alone photograph. But after days of snow, this little one came down, likely searching for food beyond its usual shelter.

There it was, hopping in and out of the snowy branches, quick, alert, and full of character.

Moments like these make the list grow. The robin, the kingfisher, the long-tailed tit… and now this one. Each encounter a reminder of how much life surrounds us, if we just take the time to look.

One planet. One responsibility. In a universe where life is rare, this feels worth protecting.

Captured in the Kampina.

Picture made with the Canon 5D Mark 4, f6,3 1/500 ISO 3200 at 400mm with the Sigma 100/400mm

#CrestedTit #LophophanesCristatus #Kuifmees #Kampina #DutchNature #NatureNetherlands #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #ForestBirds #WinterNature #SnowyForest #NatureMoments #BirdLovers #WildlifeLovers #NatureObservation #OutdoorPhotography #NatureWalk #HiddenNature #SmallBirds #CanonPhotography #PhotographyTechnique #NaturalLight #ExploringNature #QuietMoments #MoodyNature #NatureLovers #Canon5Dmark4 #WildNetherlands #ForestLife #NatureStories #SimpleBeauty #OnePlanet #ProtectNature #Biodiversity #WonderingLens #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #PixelfedPhotography #LightAndLife #NatureConnection #MomentsInNature

A Friday morning, a familiar place, and the promise of sunrise.

At Huys ter Heide, just as the sun began to rise, I found myself standing by a small lake. The water was perfectly still—no wind, no ripples—turning it into a natural mirror. The sun, still low on the horizon and partially hidden, painted the scene in deep yellows, oranges, and blacks. A quiet moment where light and reflection became one.

Scenes like this are a reminder of how much timing matters. A single breath of wind would have broken the illusion.

Not long after, two cranes rested near the water’s edge during their journey north. A rare and beautiful sight… but sometimes nature gives, and sometimes it takes away. A passerby startled them before I could capture the moment.

And that’s okay. The memory remains.

Captured with my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Sigma 100–400mm, 250mm, 1/500 sec, ISO 100.

#HuysTerHeide #DutchNature #Sunrise #Reflection #MirrorWater #GoldenLight #MorningLight #NaturePhotography #LandscapePhotography #NatureMoments #CalmWaters #Stillness #LightAndReflection #OutdoorPhotography #NatureWalk #WildlifeMoments #Cranes #BirdMigration #NatureObservation #CanonPhotography #Canon5DMarkIV #Sigma100400 #250mm #PhotographyTechnique #NaturalLight #ExploringNature #QuietMoments #MoodyNature #NatureLovers #DutchLandscape #EarlyMorning #NatureStories #SimpleBeauty #WonderingLens #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #PixelfedPhotography #LightAndLife #MomentsInNature #reflections

About an hour and 5 kilometers into my walk in the Oisterwijk forests, near the edge of a heath field, I was rewarded with one of my favorite little birds: the Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus).

A small, energetic bundle of feathers, constantly hopping from branch to branch, never sitting still for long. Not the easiest subject to photograph… but absolutely worth the effort.

With its soft black-and-white tones and a subtle hint of color on its head, it almost feels like a tiny, living brushstroke moving through the bushes.

Moments like these are more than just photographs for me. These walks are small paths of healing. Not because I am searching for something specific, but because nature keeps offering these quiet, fleeting gifts—light through branches, wind through leaves, and the simple presence of life around us.

Captured with my Canon EOS 5D Mark IV and Sigma 100–400mm, 400mm, f/6.3, 1/500 sec, ISO 1250.

#LongTailedTit #AegithalosCaudatus #Staartmees #OoisterwijkseBossen #DutchNature #NatureNetherlands #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #SmallBirds #ForestBirds #NatureWalk #HealingInNature #NatureMoments #NatureObservation #BirdLovers #WildlifeLovers #OutdoorPhotography #NaturePhotography #CanonPhotography #Canon5DMarkIV #Sigma100400 #400mm #PhotographyTechnique #NaturalLight #ExploringNature #QuietMoments #MoodyNature #LightAndShadow #NatureLovers #BirdWatching #WildNetherlands #NatureStories #SimpleBeauty #WonderingLens #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #PixelfedPhotography #LightAndLife #NatureHealing #MomentsInNature

Early Monday morning in the Oisterwijk forests, I set out for a quiet walk. The light was soft, slightly muted by a thin layer of clouds. Not the kind of morning that screams for photography… but those are often the moments where something subtle appears.

The water was perfectly still—like glass. A thin layer of water vapor hovered above it, catching the first gentle hints of sunlight. And there it was: a Greylag Goose (Anser anser), a very common sight, one I usually pass without a second thought.

But not this time.

With the warm light just touching the scene and the background still resting in shadow, everything aligned. The calm water, the mist, and the quiet presence of the goose turned something ordinary into something worth capturing.

Captured with my Canon 5D Mark IV and Sigma 100–400mm, f/6.3, ISO 1250.

#GreylagGoose #AnserAnser #GroteGans #OoisterwijkseBossen #DutchNature #NatureNetherlands #BirdPhotography #WildlifePhotography #MorningLight #EarlyMorning #MistyWater #CalmWaters #Reflections #NatureMoments #CommonButBeautiful #NatureObservation #LandscapePhotography #OutdoorPhotography #NatureWalk #QuietNature #SoftLight #CanonPhotography #Canon5DMarkIV #Sigma100400 #Telephoto #PhotographyTechnique #NaturalLight #WildlifeLovers #BirdLovers #NatureLovers #ExploringNature #MoodyNature #LightAndShadow #WonderingLens #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #PixelfedPhotography #LightAndLife #SimpleMoments #NatureStories

Sometimes the most beautiful things are also the most useful.

This flowering espalier—the Clematis—bursts into bloom early in spring, covering walls with delicate white flowers and a wonderfully sweet scent. Even in winter it holds on to its green presence, quietly preparing for the next season.

But it’s more than just beautiful. Plants like these play an important role in supporting life around us. Bees, bumblebees, and butterflies are drawn to the flowers, turning a simple wall into a small but thriving ecosystem. And when grown against a house, they can even help regulate temperature, reducing direct sunlight in summer and buffering cold winds in winter.

A natural layer between us and the elements.

Captured with my Canon 5DS R and Sigma 24–70 Art at 70mm, f/2.6, 1/250 sec, ISO 200.

#Clematis #Espalier #GardenPhotography #NatureAtHome #SustainableLiving #GreenWalls #UrbanNature #Pollinators #Bees #Bumblebees #Butterflies #Biodiversity #NaturePhotography #MacroNature #FlowerPhotography #SpringBloom #WhiteFlowers #NatureLovers #EcoFriendly #ClimateAware #LivingWithNature #CanonPhotography #Canon5DSR #Sigma2470Art #70mm #PhotographyTechnique #NaturalLight #OutdoorPhotography #NatureObservation #GardenLife #PlantLovers #WildlifeGarden #WonderingLens #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #PixelfedPhotography #LightAndLife #NatureMoments #GreenLiving #SustainableGarden

Less is more.

A quiet sunset sky, no sun in sight—just a smooth gradient shifting from deep blue into warm orange and red. In the top left, a final phase of the Moon watches over the scene. Two airplanes cross paths, their contrails forming a subtle “X” across the sky. Nothing extraordinary on its own… but together, a composition that simply feels right.

Moments like this remind me that photography isn’t always about rare subjects. Sometimes it’s about seeing alignment—light, timing, and geometry coming together for just a second.

A small scientific note: there is no true “dark side” of the Moon. The far side receives just as much sunlight as the side we see. It only appears hidden because the Moon is tidally locked to Earth. Interestingly, that far side is far more heavily cratered due to its greater exposure.

Captured with my Canon 5DS R and Sigma 24–70 Art, 47mm, f/2.8, 1/500 sec, ISO 320.

Photography, after all, is just another way of studying light and life.

#SunsetSky #MinimalPhotography #SkyPhotography #Moon #Luna #Contrails #AviationPhotography #SimpleComposition #LessIsMore #GradientSky #EveningSky #NaturePhotography #LandscapePhotography #GeometryInNature #CleanComposition #VisualBalance #CanonPhotography #Canon5DSR #Sigma2470Art #47mm #PhotographyTechnique #NaturalLight #OutdoorPhotography #SkyLovers #Cloudscape #Atmosphere #ScienceAndNature #TidallyLocked #MoonFacts #AstronomyLovers #QuietMoments #SimpleBeauty #VisualStory #WonderingLens #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotography #PixelfedPhotography #LightAndLife #NatureObservation #EveningMood

An early evening walk at the Loonse and Drunense Duinen.

This place holds a special place in my heart, and I often find myself walking straight toward a familiar spot among the shifting sands. Today was one of those evenings. The sun was already low, nearing sunset, casting a warm golden light across the landscape.

Close to the ground, I noticed a small patch of grass catching that last light. Surrounded by sand, it stood there quietly, glowing. By lowering my perspective and opening up the aperture, I allowed the foreground and background to gently fade into softness, letting the light and the subject take center stage.

These inland sand dunes are shaped by wind, constantly moving and reshaping the terrain. It’s a dynamic landscape, even when it feels still.

Captured with my Canon 5DS R and Sigma 24–70 Art, ISO 350, 1/500 sec.

More moments from this evening walk will follow.

#LoonseEnDrunenseDuinen #DutchNature #SandDunes #NatureNetherlands #EveningLight #GoldenHour #NaturePhotography #LandscapePhotography #CloseToTheGround #ShallowDepthOfField #Bokeh #LightAndShadow #NatureDetails #MinimalNature #OutdoorPhotography #NatureWalk #QuietMoments #NatureObservation #CanonPhotography #Canon5DSR #Sigma2470Art #24mm #PhotographyTechnique #NaturalLight #ExploringNature #WildNetherlands #NatureLovers #SoftLight #WarmTones #DutchLandscape #StoryThroughTheLens #NatureStories #WonderingLens #ByMaikeldeBakker #MaikeldeBakkerPhotograph #PixelfedPhotograph #LightAndLif #NatureMoment #SimpleBeaut #EveningWalk

Die Architektur der Pose. In dieser Aufnahme stand die Symmetrie und die Spannung der Linien im Vordergrund. Als Fotograf ist es faszinierend zu sehen, wie das gerichtete Studiolicht die Textur des metallischen Lila-Tops zum Leuchten bringt und gleichzeitig die athletische Definition präzise herausarbeitet. Ein minimalistisches Setup, das den Fokus voll und ganz auf die Form und den künstlerischen Ausdruck lenkt.


#StudioPhotography #PortraitPhotography #LightingDesign #CommercialPhotography #SharpFocus #ColorGrading #StrobeLighting
#HighResolution #PhotographyTechnique #CleanComposition #StudioLight #MetallicPurple #VibrantColors #PinkHairDon'tCare
#FashionEditorial #MinimalistBackground #Contrast #GlossyLook
#VisualArt #Flexibility #Vertic

In der Studiofotografie ist das Einfangen von Texturen eine der spannendsten Aufgaben. Bei diesem Shot lag der Fokus darauf, das gerichtete Licht so zu nutzen, dass der metallische Glanz des lila Stoffes maximal zur Geltung kommt, ohne die Konturen der muskulären Spannung zu überstrahlen. Ein Spiel aus Reflexionen und präziser Linienführung.

#StudioPhotography #MovementPhotography #LightingDesign #PortraitVisuals #MetallicColors #ArtDirection #BodyLines #ActionPhotography #PhotographyDaily #ColorContrast #StudioPhotography #FlashPhotography #LightingDesign
#HighKeyLighting #RimLight #SharpFocus #DepthOfField #ProfessionalPhotography #PhotographyTechnique #StudioSetup #CleanBackground #PurpleAesthetic #MetallicFabric #ColorContrast #VibrantColors #PinkHair #NeonVibes #GlossyLook #VisualArt #MinimalistComposition #MovementPhotography #BodyLines #AthleticBody
#MuscularStrength #FlexibilityPhotography #ActionShot #DynamicPose #AnatomyInMotion #HumanForm