Name: Alex Pansier
Picture title: Glassy Goose
Category: People’s Choice
Nationality: The Netherlands, Hazenakker (Oss)
Occupation: I’m a full-time naturephotographer
Technical information
Camera: Sony A1
Lens: Sony 400mm f2.8 lens
EXIF:1/2500sec at f2.8 with ISO 125
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Alex Pansier | Glassy Goose
Name: Alex Pansier
Picture title: Glassy Goose
Category: People’s Choice
Nationality: The Netherlands, Hazenakker (Oss)
Occupation: I’m a full-time naturephotographer
Technical information
Camera: Sony A1
Lens:Sony 400mm f2.8 lens
EXIF:1/2500sec at f2.8 with ISO 125
Alex Pansier says:
There’s something about the chill in the Dutch air that gets my pulse racing maybe, just maybe, we’ll get some snow! 🙂 That’s exactly how I felt last December (2022) when I found a local pond that had completely frozen over. While there was no snow to be seen, I wasn’t disappointed. The thin layer of ice on the pond had driven all the ducks and geese to a single opening in the ice, perfectly positioned between the sun and me. Talk about a golden opportunity for some backlit shots, one of my go-to photography styles. After hanging around for a few days, I started to get the hang of the geese’s behavior. So, the moment I started stretching, my camera was already up and ready. That’s how I captured this shot. A white goose flapped its wings, sending droplets flying all around. I was pretty chuffed with that already, but when I reviewed the shots on my computer, one stood out. You could see the goose’s head as a shadow in the feathers, giving the photo that extra kick.
Alex Pansier
Netherlands
Alex Pansier has been a nature photographer since 2018. What started as an outlet from the hectic pace of life as an internet entrepreneur has now become his full-time vocation. Having sold his business, he is now fully dedicated to capturing the stories and emotions of nature. He is most drawn to animals and their habitats, but he is in his element wherever nature narrates its tales whether featuring animals or not, whether focused on minute details or grand, powerful scenes. His photographic style can best be described as pure, minimalist, and slightly moody. Lately, Pansier has been gravitating towards high-key and low-key compositions, taking pleasure in exploring structures and details. As a self-taught photographer, he continually learns, experiments, and evolves. As he puts it: ‘There’s a good chance my portfolio will look quite different in the near future.’