Framed Echoes #9
Abstract ceilings
Quite some years ago, I invited the Dutch artist/photographer Maarten Rots to give a talk about his work to our local photo group.
Maarten is an abstract photographer. Next to his numerous exhibitions he also publishes a zine, March & Rock, which is the literal translation of his name. Brilliantly found.
Maarten was one of the photographers I highlighted in Darkrooms Magazine #2
Last December, I spent a long weekend in Copenhagen with friends. Although I am not typically an abstract photographer, I was immediately captivated by the incredible light and shapes of the ceiling and window pillars when we arrived at the penthouse we had rented.
I took the following photos on my phone and edited them using Snapseed. It was a quick project between preparing dinner. Looking at the results, I will definitely be on the lookout for more abstract photo opportunities in future.
Till next week,
Keeping Darkrooms going
Darkrooms exists because I believe photography deserves better than quick tips and gear reviews. The articles you read here take time. A lot of time. Research, fact-checking, finding structure, writing, rewriting. A decent piece easily takes me several hours, sometimes more.
I love doing it. But the time it takes is becoming hard to justify. There are so many other things I want to explore and create, and that tension sits uneasily alongside my promise to keep all articles available to everyone.
Substack sets a minimum of $5 per month for paid subscriptions. I think that is quite steep, so I have set the annual price at $45, which works out to less than two coffees at a café per quarter(!) for everything Darkrooms offers weekly. If you find my work valuable, a subscription is the most direct way to help me continue.
Would you rather not commit to a recurring subscription? I completely understand. There are other ways to contribute. You can make a one-off donation, or pick up one of the Darkrooms magazines or e-books. Everything helps.
Either way: thank you for being here. Darkrooms exists because of people who take photography and essays about creativity and constraints seriously. You are clearly one of them.









These are beautiful.
Maarten does fantastic work.