Pier to Pier by Giedo van der Zwan
Two hundred years ago, the first bathing houses were constructed on the beach of Scheveningen, a coastal town near The Hague, Netherlands. These bathing houses signalled the start of the modern local sea-bathing culture. However, at that time, Scheveningen was primarily a poor fishing village.
My family name, 'Van der Zwan', is well-known in Scheveningen. My grandfather had a fish shop here, and my father grew up in this area. The stories I heard from them painted a completely different picture of the beach and the sea, which were full of dangers. Sadly, my father's brother drowned near the fishing pier as a child just after the war. It was this contradiction that motivated me to delve deeper into contemporary Scheveningen with my camera. I kept returning to the beach, the boulevard, and the pier to capture the local bathing and beach culture.
The project "Pier to Pier" (started in 2017 ) focuses on capturing the activities and scenes spanning the 2.5 kilometres of beach and boulevard between the northern fishing pier and the pleasure pier of Scheveningen. My aim is to vividly portray the bustling crowd of day trippers in a colourful and attention-grabbing manner. I strive to incorporate vibrant colours and striking elements into my photographs, seeking to evoke various emotions such as surprise, joy, affection, or even indignation in the viewers.
In 2018, the book "Pier to Pier" was published and a solo exhibition was launched on the pier of Scheveningen. It was displayed on the Pier for 6 months and was visited by over 200,000 people. Furthermore, my work from Scheveningen was part of an exhibition titled 'Candid' at the Museum Panorama Mesdag in The Hague, which I collaborated on with three other photographers. It was also displayed at The Hague Library in 2021.
I was born in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in September 1967. Photography has been a part of my life since I was 12 years old and it has shaped the way I see the world. Starting in 2017, my focus shifted entirely to street photography, and since then, it's been an exciting journey. I have had the opportunity to shoot with talented street photographers in my hometown and in cities all over the world. I've also explored the possibilities of social media, connected with new people who share my passion and embarked on my own photography projects.
As a personal challenge, I have been shooting with only one lens (mostly using a Fuji X100F or a Leica Q camera). My photography style involves capturing people up close in vibrant colours, often using flash to add contrast. I appreciate formal compositions and clean shots, but I always aim to include an unexpected element – something quirky, humorous, or unusual that makes a scene unique. I don't seek to be an invisible observer; rather, I like to establish connections with the people I photograph. This not only feels rewarding but also increases the chance of capturing the perfect shot I envision.
I have been fortunate to receive awards from various international street photography festivals and platforms, including those in Brussels, Miami, Paris, Trieste, Milan, Poland, Lensculture, and Life Framer. My photography has been featured in numerous photo magazines and national newspapers, both online and in print.
