Hybernation: Can Places Have a Soul Without People? A Project by Dutch Street / Documentary Photographer Jeroen Helmink

by Eric Kim on June 6, 2012

1x1.trans Hybernation: Can Places Have a Soul Without People? A Project by Dutch Street / Documentary Photographer Jeroen Helmink

1x1.trans Hybernation: Can Places Have a Soul Without People? A Project by Dutch Street / Documentary Photographer Jeroen Helmink

(Above Image Copyrighted By: Jeroen Helmink)

Jeroen Helmink is a Dutch documentary / street photographer. After a corporate career of 15 years, his love for photography led him to a new way of living. It was only two years ago he decided to dedicate all of his time to photography and explore the streets as a full time photographer.1x1.trans Hybernation: Can Places Have a Soul Without People? A Project by Dutch Street / Documentary Photographer Jeroen Helmink

1x1.trans Hybernation: Can Places Have a Soul Without People? A Project by Dutch Street / Documentary Photographer Jeroen Helmink

(Copyright: Jeroen Helmink)

His curiosity drives him to choose subjects that research different relations of people to their surroundings. Working with medium format (Hasselblad), he searches for a quiet composition and prefers his portrait work to have a natural look. On the streets, he uses a Leica M6 or M9 to capture the energy of moments in everyday life.

1x1.trans Hybernation: Can Places Have a Soul Without People? A Project by Dutch Street / Documentary Photographer Jeroen Helmink

(Copyright: Jeroen Helmink)

He is still using his business skills, by setting up an initiative called ‘United Streets of Europe’, which will provide a stage for the best street photographers in different European countries. Feel free to contact him if you want to share your thoughts on it.

1x1.trans Hybernation: Can Places Have a Soul Without People? A Project by Dutch Street / Documentary Photographer Jeroen Helmink

(Copyright: Jeroen Helmink)

A description of his latest project “Hybernation”

In the fall, winter and early spring of 2011/2012, Jeroen worked on a project called ‘Hybernation’. In this project, he tries to let the viewer feel the absence of people. Some places seem to lose their soul when people are not there. Just imagine your own house when you come back from vacation, an empty restaurant or a desolated movie theater. They come alive when you and others are there. The images were captured on expired Fuji NPH 400 film, adding to the effect of the series.

1x1.trans Hybernation: Can Places Have a Soul Without People? A Project by Dutch Street / Documentary Photographer Jeroen Helmink

(Copyright: Jeroen Helmink)

Check out more of his work and futre projects here!

  • http://twitter.com/polarapfel Tobias Weisserth

    Interesting post. Am I missing an interview here though? :)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=556457570 Phyllis Ollari

    Some photos are very Egglestonesque. I’m currently researching a proposition that would combine The Democratic Forest with the ideals of street. I tend to think street is more about the democratic eye then any elusive moment. 

  • Chuck

    These photos are very unique and interesting. Makes me think of a few places I could photograph as a similar project. Thanks for the posting of these.

  • Anon

    Incredibly average work

  • http://www.captureminnesota.com/users/tdoty3 tom

    We’re close to full retard…  Never go full retard…

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgHITc1OL-c

  • Glen Converse

    There’s a true sense of abandonment here.  Any one image by itself would spell a very banal image for me; however, the multiple images provide the ultimate message of abandonment.  The gray, cold sky, the leafless trees, the browning grass, and the lifeless porpoise combine to create an atmosphere of forsaking life.  And, the composition of each image holds my attention searching all the elements of each image.  Just MHO…..

  • http://www.facebook.com/nick.kenrick.9 Nick Kenrick

    sometimes i despair . it is art and some appeal and some don’t
    this set seems like a great concept and poor images 

  • Pete

    Distinct and unique!

    Pete

    http://www.captainshutter.wordpress.com

  • Paul

    no offense, but the images are incredibly boring. They just look like snapshots

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