Jan-Kees de Meester (Goes, The Netherlands, 30 april 1972)

English language

Jan-Kees de Meester is not to be mistaken for a newby. For decades he has proved himself to be a master in capturing moments. Regardless, he is still quite unknown to the greater audience. 

 

Almost half of his photographic career he has spent anonymously within the Dutch Defence forces, envisioning told and untold stories. During his deployments as a combat photographer he produced highly praised Defence credited images. The most of his unrestricted military photography stands out in acknowledging the human being in a wide spectrum of scenes.

 

Nowadays, Jan-Kees finds solace in his beloved Zeeland, the rural Dutch region where he was born and raised. Photographing in this ancient delta-landscape, he doesn't confine himself solely to soothing landscapes, as it is his personal creed that a story needs to be told from different perspectives. Landscape, portrait, action and detail photography are all skills he has mastered and he highly regards.

 

Made in Zeeland
A substantial part of De Meester's recent photographic work is made in Zeeland. This region is shaped by sea and men. It is a place of nature and tradition guarded by dikes and dams, because the biggest part of the land is below sea level. Unlike the much denser populated areas in The Netherlands, Zeeland still is a haven of tranquillity. Here clocks are ticking at a slower pace and history never is far away.

 

And there is more
Nevertheless, De Meester's work is not simply defined by only the military and Zeeland. Much of his work finds its origin elswhere. Moreover, he just doesn't comfortably stick to just one genre. Portrait, art, documentary or product photography, in the studio or on location, it is all part of his reportoire of disciplines.