Rising Above the Mist: An Interview with Ewold Kooistra

The church of Sveti Tomaz rises above the mist in Škofja Loka, Slovenia. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

By Rebecca Duras

Ewold Kooistra may be new to Amazing Aerial, but he has been a photographer for many years. His photographs of misty landscapes stand out due to their atmospheric beauty. For professional photographers, these landscapes are additionally attractive because they know how difficult it is to take photos in that kind of weather. Amazing Aerial Magazine sat down with Ewold to talk about his career path, how he balances his creative work with practical career necessities, and what techniques he uses to capture his amazing landscapes.

How did you get started in photography? What would you say defines your style today? What draws you to the photos that you usually take?

"I started my photography journey in 2018 on my first solo backpacking trip to Thailand. I began with a Canon 1200D camera, but wanted more unique angles. Luckily, the Mavic Air 1 drone was released while I was in Phuket, so I bought it. This changed my photography, letting me capture amazing aerial views.

My style is colorful and dreamy, which resonates well on Instagram. People are drawn to vibrant photos that catch their eye and make them pause their scrolling.

I aim to capture landscapes in a unique way to show the beauty all around us. You don't need to travel far to find stunning scenery; it's often right around the corner. By showing familiar places from new angles, I hope to inspire people to appreciate the beauty in their everyday surroundings."

 

How did you get started photographing misty landscapes? What inspired you to try and capture this angle of photos?

"That's a good question. I'm not exactly sure when I started photographing misty landscapes, but I'm lucky to live in a country with lots of water [the Netherlands], leading to many misty mornings. The fog creates a dreamy, peaceful vibe in my photos. No two foggy mornings are the same. Sometimes the fog is thick, leaving only tall buildings like churches, windmills, and skyscrapers visible. This variety keeps misty mornings interesting and never boring."

 

How are you able to get such a clear image despite the mist in your surroundings, since many photographers struggle with photographing in misty conditions? What techniques do you use for this type of photography? How long did it take you to master this type of photography?

"When you're on the ground, the landscape can appear blurry because you're in the middle of the fog. But with a drone, you can fly above the mist and see a clear view. I always shoot in HDR mode (7 exposures) during sunrise and sunset.

This helps manage the extreme contrast between the dark foreground and bright background when shooting into the sun, providing enough data to work with. After the shoot, I merge all the exposures in Lightroom to achieve the perfect exposure.

I learned this technique by watching other photographers and through many YouTube tutorials and blogs. Initially, I tried to replicate their work, but over time, I developed my own style."

 

An aerial view of Bourscheid Castle, Luxembourg, in the fog. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

You live in the Netherlands, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. You’ve also photographed some very popular cities such as Venice and Florence, which, safe to say, are locations that are frequently photographed. How do you make photos of some of the most popular locations in the world still seem unique?

"Nowadays, lots of people use drones for photos and videos because they're fun to fly and give cool views. When I want to take a special photo at a popular place, I always check Instagram first. That way, I can see what kinds of photos others have taken and make sure mine is different. I also watch the weather, for example looking for fog, which can make my photos more unique.

I learn from other photographers and figure out how different conditions can make a scene look special. Whether it's the angle, the light, or the mood, I try to find things that make a normal spot look amazing. Doing this not only lets me create my own style of photos but also keeps me improving as a drone photographer."

An aerial view of St. Mark’s Square, downtown Venice.. © Amazing Aerial Agency / Ewold Kooistra

 How are you able to balance your commercial work and more artistic photos?

"When I'm busy with client projects, I always prioritize shooting for my Instagram account or capturing stock footage. This balance between work and personal projects ensures that I stay engaged and never get bored. "

You have a unique method of traveling nearly full time. How are you able to make travel work financially and logistically? 

"During the summers, I work on a small cruise ship that goes to a Dutch island called Terschelling, putting in a lot of hours over a short period. The rest of the year, I run my own video and photography company, which lets me work worldwide. This setup allows me to earn money while traveling, whether by camper or plane, and pursue my passion for capturing photos and videos around the globe."