Alun Foster 

A long-time resident of Brussels, I have been involved in photography since childhood, working as a freelance photographer for a while, too. Retired, I still do freelance photographic work on request (specialising in public or private events and corporate portraits). As president of ‘Viewfinders’ I promote social integration and understanding through a shared love of photography. 

Contact: alun@dafos.be, web: www.dafos.be    

A minimal, impressionistic experience of the world around us, as contrast to the frenetic business of life. These coastal landscapes were captured at the Belgian coast (Ode to Maurits Van Saene 5) and at the estuary of the Couesnon river near the Mont-Saint Michel in France (Kouenon 3). Van Saene was a Belgian artist and friend of my family here, well known for his abstract, very minimal seascapes. ‘Kouenon’ is the name of the river in the Breton language, which is related to Welsh and thus to my roots. 

Annette Boon 

I’m a late bloomer in photography, influenced by my fellow countryman Harry Gruyaert and New York photographer Saul Leiter, a true master in reflections. In his footsteps I reflected my name and changed it into Nooba, and that was the start of my big adventure. I specialize in portraits, fine art pictures and personal branding. I had a successful solo exhibition: ‘Embracing Unimportance’.  

A vivid current between Lanzarote and La Graciosa, combined with an eager sunrise gave this ferry trip a certain rawness. Clouds and wind are captured from the ferry’s interior. All modern life features seem to have disappeared. Both pictures reveal the roughness of the daily island life. They are witnesses of the slow rhythm of its inhabitant’s life, in respect with nature’s laws. 

Website: www.noobaphoto.be 

  Erick Espinoza

Born in Mexico City and living in Brussels since 2013, I grew up surrounded by colourful traditions. In Belgium I discovered my passion for photography, which led me to fall in love with Brussels. As a photographer, I love to capture the moments of the daily life in a vibrant way. 

Capturing unique and unrepeatable moments in photography is one of my favourite pleasures. Summer and winter are two relatively opposite seasons that offer us the opportunity to appreciate completely different scenes. Being able to appreciate them in a minimalist way allows us to enjoy the details that normally go unnoticed. 

Contact: eresag@gmail.com

Instagram: @eresag

Gianluca Pagnini 

Born in Rome and resident in Brussels since 2018, Gianluca likes to explore different photographic genres and techniques, such as minimalist, landscape, wildlife, street, storytelling, and macro, both in black & white and colour. Member of ‘Viewfinders’ since 2019. 

The photos displayed in this exhibition were taken in the photographer’s apartment at the end of the lockdown. After spending most of his time at home, he wanted to represent its essence, through an abstract interpretation of the familiar spaces where he lived and of the ordinary objects used during everyday life.  

Home - At night is an abstract interpretation of the photographer’s bedroom.

Home - At work is an abstract interpretation of the photographer’s home office.

Contact: gianluca.pagnini.photography@gmail.com 

Web: www.saal-digital.net/profiles/gianlucapagnini/

Instagram: @gianlucapagniniphoto

Gladdys Arias

My introduction to photography 15 years ago started with macrophotography: revealing things in textures, from expressions to patterns, in ordinary objects of everyday life. I loved creating something special from “nothing” special. Then, I started incorporating people in my pictures. First, as a way to document parties and events with friends and family. But soon, it turned into a passion for capturing emotions and telling stories.

Today’s theme got me back to my first love for photography: ordinary objects and their patterns. This time though, I tried to convey a message: “how soothing our pain can sometimes be destructive”. The egg cracks represent man-made stress to nature (Who’s Fault Is It?, where fault is used in its geology sense of cracks in rocks), while the candies show how addictions are created (Sugar Coated Placebo).

Contact: photo@gladdys.be   

Website: www.gladdys.be

Kaim Merali 

I came late into photography, around 2010, and got my degree in 2014 at Agnes Varda school of photography and video in Brussels. I was a photographer at Berlin Salsa Congress for 4 years and got a few awards from ‘The Societies of Photographers’ (UK) and from ‘Canon’ from various competitions. My work was published on ‘Photocrowd’ (online international contests), and on multiple occasions in “Viewfinders’ contests and newsletters. I was nominated by the panel of judges for the award of ‘The Societies of Photographers of The Year 2021’ for ‘Events Photography’ and got a trophy. I was invited to participate in ‘Art3f’ at the international exhibition d’Art Contemporain at the Heysel in November 2022 to exhibit two nominated pictures. In 2023 I received a Silver Medal for ‘Monochrome competition’ by ‘Fotogroep Pallieter’ member of Fédération Belge des Photographes and member of PSA (Photographer Society of America).  

Here I present two prints of ‘The Museum of Science’ in Valencia (Spain). 

Contact: meralikaim@hotmail.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaimdilekeno/  https://kaimdilekeno.viewbug.com 

Karina Robin

My two passions, nature photography and travel, have taken me across Europe, Asia, and South America. Africa holds particular importance for me though and its wildlife and landscapes are central to my photography. I find joy in the natural beauty around me, and with my camera I capture the essence of moments in nature, creating images that reflect my unique perspective, and sharing personal narratives through wildlife photography. I contribute to conservation efforts through my initiative wildlife4wildlife, supporting projects with proceeds from the sales of images and calendars. Please visit my website for more information.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side:  

I like to capture the essence of wildlife through minimalist silhouettes, highlighting clear contours against contrasting backdrops. The interplay of light and shadows creates images that showcase the grace and beauty of wild animals in their natural environment.

By printing my images on canvas, I aim to enhance the painterly elements of my works.  

Website: www.karina-robin.com

Contact:  info@karina-robin.com 

Instagram: @photo_safari 

Marci Lorena Bayona   

Her artistic journey began during her studies in Tourism and Administration in Colombia back in 2002, where she discovered her love for photography. She started to do freelance work in 2016. She has participated in several photo exhibitions and has had four solo exhibitions in Belgium.  

Her work primarily revolves around portraits and nature, capturing the essence of both subjects with a unique perspective. Through her lens, Marci Bayona invites viewers to explore the interplay between humanity and nature, creating visual narratives that resonate with emotion and authenticity. 

Website: marcibayona.wixsite.com/portrait/   Instagram: @marsirena 

Nathan Wajsman   

Nathan Wajsman lives in Spain, is an EU civil servant, but his passion is photography. He takes his camera with him wherever he goes. He particularly likes to photograph life in the city and the sights he sees while indulging in his other passion, cycling. His work can be seen at www.greatpix.eu. 

One image was taken on the beach in Alicante in January 2023, on the morning following a stormy evening. The other is the ARoS museum of modern art in Aarhus, Denmark. It opened on the site of an earlier art museum in 2004. It is one of the main modern art museums in Northern Europe. 

Paula Cagli 

I love every aspect of art from creation to administration! An art historian, I’ve won photo and art competitions, been a featured magazine photographer, been chosen for book covers and exhibited in group and solo shows. Most recently, I lectured at the Museum of the Bersagliere in Rome, and I am currently writing and illustrating a book on Porta Pia, Michelangelo’s last work.  

A member of ‘Viewfinders’ since 1997, I’ve been in several club exhibitions over the years. Although I am originally from the US, I have mainly shown photos of architecture in Italy and Belgium, the two countries in Europe where I’ve lived. Possibly my last exhibition with the club, I am finally showing photos of New York City. Calatrava’s Oculus, the transportation hub where the twin towers once stood, resembles an eagle about to take flight. With steel wings unfurled, it radiates energy, potential and infinite optimism. 

Contact: Paulacagli@hotmail.com

Pierre Lescanne  

Born in 1955 into a family where my father adored camera gear but never took photos and my mother loved viewing pictures but despised cameras. My photographic journey began at 12 with an AgfaMatic 101. Over time, I transitioned to a Canonet QL19, delving into the world of darkrooms and flirting amidst chemicals. Marriage, a son, and a Minolta SRT 101 marked the passage of time, with work sidelining my passion for photography. The years flew by …  After 25 years, my son's Canon Powershot rekindled my interest in photography. And here I am, back in the world of photography!

A photograph is a process of construction, structuring, creation, where the photographer identifies and isolates potential content in the environment. Through skilful composition, structure, and attention to colour, light, and shadow relationships, an image is crafted. As Ansel Adams noted, "We don't take a photo, we make it."

Contact:  Pierre.Lescanne@outlook.be

Richard Sylvester   

Originally from the USA, I have been living now in Belgium for more than 50 years and am the secretary of Viewfinders since 2010. I have also been involved in the activities of the Royal Photographic Society where I got my Licentiate Distinction in 2013. My two main passions are Close-up photography and Intentional Camera Movement.

These two photos, one of a fence and another of a walkway, are in-camera multiple exposures that provide an abstract view of everyday life. 

You can contact me and see more of my work at:           

richard@sylvester-photo.com and www.sylvester-photo.com

Robert Gangl 

Robert Gangl, born in Vienna, Austria, holds an M.A. in English and German philology from the University of Vienna as well as a post-graduate diploma in international relations. He has worked for the European institutions in Brussels since 1997 while having a solid foot in Amsterdam for the last 20 years. Ever since he broke his first camera, given to him by his grandfather, he has tried out photography next to his theoretical interest in painting. Later on, he got trained in Brussels in private classes and with friendly, strict private tutoring and ventured into exhibiting his work in 2023 with four exhibitions.

“What do you see in this image?”, I was asked years ago in a professional training. Every student saw and interpreted something different and was awaiting the ‘correct’ answer. Well, there was none.  I aimed at rendering these two images minimal, or close to it, as you can still leave out more. I hope they give you space for your own thoughts and interpretation.

Website: www.photozinebox.eu

  Sabine Posdziech                                                                     

Photography has always been one of my passions, but it is only since I am member of a photo club that I am getting more seriously into it. The exchange with other like-minded people is very inspiring and is helping me to progress as a photographer. For the moment, I like to experiment with incidental light, and I am trying constantly to give a specific mood to my pictures.

Dream in White was taken at Deauville in Normandie/France. It's a luxurious ambience and the beach felt as if it should have a shiny and sparkling look.

Take a Seat might invite you to sit down. Or not? Does it give an impression of loneliness or melancholy? You may just wish to take a seat and let your thoughts go.

Instagram: @jpeg.sabine

Sylvina Calas 

I started to take photographs when I left home for university and travelled around. I bought my first manual camera almost ten years ago, and since then, my two hobbies of travel and landscape and nature photography have always come together. 

When I first travelled to arctic regions in winter, I faced terrible weather the whole week, and instead of disheartening me, it made me discover that bad weather conditions can actually bring value to photography, a minimal composition, and some mystery.