Amsterdam based photographer Marcel van der Meer (1968), self-taught, became actively engaged in photography - both digital and and middle-format on film – in 1990. His specialties include travel photography, atmospheric photojournalism, and imageries of industrial and urban decay. He tries to capture everyday life in atmospheric images, recording them as they are, without staging. Introducing the five series on this website, van der Meer explains:

Black & whites: “Black and white photography is a perfect way to capture the mood of the moment. When I look through the camera lens my mind switches to light and dark, black and white. Shadows, lines, reflections and silhouettes are the focus of these photographs. Atmospheric images that allow free reign to the imagination.”

Clients: “These photographs are made on demand. Clients are: het nationale ballet, magazine Stedenbouw en Volkshuisvesting, Province of Noord-Holland, Exclusiveartprints.com and several organisations of the municipality of Asmterdam”

Sleeping Japanese: “The subject of this set of photographs practically fell into my lap while travelling through Japan in 2004. It was impossible to ignore: almost everyone takes catnaps in parks or while using public transportation. The many ways in which people fall asleep are fascinating. I have tried to respect these moments, not to take advantage of the defencelessness and vulnerability of the sleepers and to photograph them in accordance with their surroundings.”

Sunshine on transient places: “These photographs were taken in Amsterdam during the summer of 2005 and are the first of a series on European capitals. They were taken on the fringes of the city, and sometimes in the centre where construction or demolition projects are in progress. These places are transient. The brightly shining sun – always present in the photographs – gives them a surreal character.”