HENK GROEN 1956 My love for photography started at home, as both my parents always carried a camera while I was growing up. I am a photographer with a technical background, driven by a deep desire to preserve moments and a lasting fascination with image and sound. On fotogroen.fun I share photography as I experience it: with joy, curiosity, and room for exploration. My foundation, true to the spirit of the time, lies in the chemical darkroom—among developer, stop bath, and fixer—where images slowly emerge in an almost magical way. Later, through an education in electronics, I entered the digital world and eventually became co-managing director of a software company. Technology was, and still is, my ally. Today I mainly work with high-resolution Sony cameras, creating richly detailed images that can become tangible as photo wallpaper. Theatre photography, with emotion in the spotlight, continues to fascinate me. Freedom of movement often outweighs certainty, so I use a tripod only when truly necessary. During post-processing I try to rediscover the feeling of the moment: (color) saturation as wonder, sharpness as emotion, and shine with a touch of mysticism. Because software makes everything possible, restraint is my greatest challenge. The work of others continually surprises me and broadens my view. My first encounter with CCC FotoUnie was at PhotoFair 2019, where I unexpectedly won the Sony photo contest with an image from their workshop. CCC workshops and a photo trip brought strong images, new perspectives, and friendships. I also contributed to book projects documenting the history of church communities, which taught me the value of photographing people up close and preserving images with care. Because sooner or later, the same question always comes up: “Do you still have those photos?” My elevator pitch: I take photography seriously enough to keep it fun.