Where I came from....(WICF) Actually my first encounter with the Speed Graphic was years back.(1975) During my stage at the "FotoVak School" we had to work with several camera formats. At that time my employer lent me a Speed Graphic to practise and use during my study. Actually thanks to the Speed Graflex 45, I could work my way up to a graduated Photographer :-) The very first images I 've made were portraits of my kids: #1 Studio lighting, #2 Outdoor, handhold à la WeeGee... But I did not choose to go the Press Photography path, I was more attracted to the artistic side..many, many years later I've learned you can experience both! The Anni went back to her owner and I forgot all about...Modern cameras were chosen to work with a.o Hasselblad, Sinar, Wisner, Gandolfi view cameras and the lot.... Formats used from 135 - 8x10", anything in between like Pinhole, Moskva M-5 and Sx-70. It was not until very recently I came in contact with Jo Lommen and David Burnett and the rest is almost history ..... If you know where I've been, you know where I'm coming from, but where I'm heading?

My Parents 1951 - Actually my very first image (focus and exposure on my father's ERKO Reisecamera 9x12, Objectiv Helioplan Hugo Meyer DoppelAnastigmat.)

Solange and Joncquil 1976 - SG - Kodak Tri-X Light: Two Argaphoto 500 Watt

Solange and Joncquil 1975 - Speed Graphic with Graphex Optar 135mm - Kodak Tri-X

Doll's spare head 1976 (Studio shot) - Speed Graphic with Nikon W 210mm/f5.6 - 4x5 chrome. As you can see the lens is very important in any set-up. This portrait was taken with 2 ArgaPhoto 500 Watt lamps. Exposure 1 second f16.    Click box to Max size use Mouse back button to return...

I did it high-keye also....

Same girl...with voile.

Some years later (2005)...Solange, Rob and Fini First testshot taken with my new acquired SG from Cuzzin Kaye(Utah) Graphex )ptar 135mm - Polaroid type 56 400 ASA

Right out the box...First Image with the Burnett Combo. My Son, informal portrait of a Dutch Painter on Pol P/N 55 50 ASA Speed Graphic with Aero Ektar 7 In. Focus distance 120 cm. Handheld shot at 1/500sec f2.5

- Lady in blue - (Speed Graphic /Schneider Xenar 210mm)

Another favorite...My assistant and muse with a Wisner TD - wideangle Docter WA 65mm

In between experimenting with Pinhole cameras

Sniffing out things that go "Click" ....experimenting with SX-70

Processing error Polaroid type 55...SG/Aero Ektar f 2.5/ 7 In

- From Portraits series...

Table Top and shopping....

"Smith & Wesson" Searching for detail....

Quadrant Group - remake "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe"

- Rose

- WestonMaster III

Click box for B&W version...

"Moonrise NOT over Hernandez" (1998 Zeist, Netherlands) - No shopping either but a double exposure- Click image for color

"Apple series"

"Mon espoir est en pennes" © John D. de Vries

"Seeing beyond..." © John D. de Vries

"Showing delicate glass..and volume" © John D. de Vries

"Flower studies...."

"Another shade of gray"

Summernight 2005 "Dragonflies (synch) emerging from their cocoons"

"My muse with my favorite Bourbon...."

"Author" Self portrait with Wisner 8x10 taken with the Gandolfi 8x10 (Polaroid 8x10).

Photography for WebSites..

"No free luncheon..."

"M5-Backup"

What next? A cover on TIME?"

Recent work - Wendy by JohnD"

Recent work - Ella by JohnD"

Recent work - Miriam by JohnD"

Recent work - Melissa by JohnD"

Recent work - Melissa (2) by JohnD"

Recent work - Melissa (3) by JohnD"

Auto Portrait - Testing remote control... by JohnD"

"You live life looking forward, you understand life looking backward." The nicest thing, if Photography is your favorite waste of time, you will notice a considerable change in interest and attitude during the years. Right now I am ready to go for special lenses to express myself a little better (better than???) or at least in a different way. Anyhow from here I will show my experiments with the Aero Ektar 7In. Our Aero users Gallery

See my Pacemaker Speed Graphic configurations.

The dragonfly then emerged easily