Zero Carbon Time Lapse Photography

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer with the zero carbon bike generatorZero Carbon Collective in Amsterdam.  A collection of individuals concerned about climate change, the collective strives to Inspire Sustainability Through Creativity. Their launch event, the Zero Carbon Concert, was held November 27, coinciding with the opening of the UNFCCC Conference of Parties in Cancun, Mexico.

I was eager to help. When I heard that we needed to cycle the bicycle generators from Zeist to Amsterdam, a distance of 50+ km, I knew that was for me. It was a long slog in the snow but we made it and the concert was a huge success. An estimated 200 people attended. They all took turns powering the concert with bike generators to prevent the lights and music from going out. It seems everyone enjoyed the chance to get involved and help run a sustainable concert.

Join the Zero Carbon Collective on Facebook

I didn’t forget to document the event and I felt that this was a great opportunity to create a short multimedia piece and try out some time lapse photography. I attached the camera to the huge ‘Bakfiets’ and set it to shoot every 25 seconds. The result, a bumpy ride of 5 hours condensed to about 25secs. Watch the fun little video below to jump through some wonderful Netherlands scenery and catch the story of the Zero Carbon Concert.

Note: My first time lapse, lots learned, hopefully more to come.

Zero Carbon Concert Amsterdam from Robert van Waarden on Vimeo.

1500 Scouts gather for 10:10 Climate Aerial Photo

This past Saturday, in the little town of Vlaardingen near Rotterdam, an estimated 1500 Scouts gathered to create this aerial image of 10:10. The event was organized by JMA (Jongeren Milieu Actief) in Amsterdam. This is arguably the largest 10:10 image ever recorded and was a lot of fun to create, (at 20 meters in the air). The image reminds us of the goal to stop climate change by reducing emissions by 10% in 2010. It is important that we to get to work during and after the Global Work Party on October 10, 2010.

What are you planning for 10:10? If you are in the Netherlands, check out this site.

In Amsterdam on October 10 a series of workshops will be held at the Dok Huis Gallery @ Plantage Doklaan 8 Amsterdam. Currently the prospective line up is below. If you want to get involved in helping plan either of these workshops or just want to come along, contact me.

  • In the POWER workshops, participants will gain practical skills in how to create electric power off the grid.
  • In the ART workshops, participants will utilise recycled/waste/sustainable materials to create quality art works.
  • In the MUSIC workshops, participants will create instruments with recycled/waste materials.
  • In the LIFE workshops, participants will learn how to create sustainable urban gardens and do some shared vegetarian cooking.

10:10 the netherlands aerial image

Portrait of a Climate Change Activist – Anna Keenan

I find Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to be an ideal base; it is a central point for international work, it is a hot bed of photography (the World Press, FOAM etc.), it is on the right track for a sustainable lifestyle, and last but not least, the friends and community are amazing.

One of these dear persons is Anna Keenan, an Australian climate activist whose work within the International Youth Climate Movement has been invaluable to the explosion of climate movements across the globe. She is a uber passionate individual who holds the need for climate justice and stopping the impacts of climate change dear to her heart (and on her neck). Without her skills in organizing, her intelligence and her drive, the climate change movement would be a step back. I recently got the opportunity to photograph Anna here in her adopted town of Amsterdam. Enjoy

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Return to Amsterdam after National Geographic Traveler assignment

Just a quick blog update to say that I have returned to sunny Amsterdam after a rainy photography assignment for National Geographic Traveler – Netherlands edition. I had the pleasure of working with Amsterdam writer Maartje de Gruyter (webpage under development) and together we explored the rainy hills, buildings and landscapes of the olde country. I can’t give away much right now and will rely on Maartje to tell the story. For me, the editing down of the many images begins. The full article will most likely be published next year, I will keep you updated when it does.

Amsterdam Burlesque Photography

I recently had the opportunity to photograph Amsterdam burlesque talent Miss Lola L’amour. Miss L’amour will be auditioning for the Amsterdam Burlesque Festival (read more or get tickets).

Burlesque is a resurgent art-form, a passionate celebration of the female form from the 20’s and 30’s. The festival promises to be very entertaining (and sexy). I think that we created some beautiful images and she is a shoe-in for the Festival, what do you think?

288 ppm Amsterdam, a 350.org action and aerial photo

“It isn’t 350, but 288ppm is better. “


Video: Ellard Vasen

As the rain fell on downtown Amsterdam, the Netherlands, we reached 288 People Per Museumplein dancing the Charleston in the shape of ‘350 NU’. Translated as ‘350 Now’ it was a fun, electric action that joined over 5000 actions across the globe for the 350.org international day of action. MOVE YOUR FEET for CLIMATE ACTION! – voor een BETER KLIMAAT! was followed by a march through the downtown of Amsterdam calling for 350ppm.

Young and old danced the Charleston, a 1920s swing dance, to communicate their desire for a treaty that commits the countries of the world to a target of 350parts per million CO2.

350.org Amsterdam Foto – Museumplein – Aerial Photograph

De foto van de demonstratie in Amsterdam op Museumplein voor 350.org kan hier gedownload worden.
Het wachtwoord voor de gratis download voor redactioneel gebruik: 350

The photograph from the Amsterdam event of 350.org can be downloaded here. This image is provided free for editorial usage and the Password is: 350

Please spread it far and wide.

Below is a gallery of the day of action from Amsterdam

350 Foto Amsterdam Museumplein – Climate Aerial and March – Images by Robert vanWaarden