Bram Belloni Photography and Visual Content Amsterdam

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Marokkaanse Boot in Amsterdam Museum

projects

The Amsterdam Museum exhibition ‘De Mooiste Stad – Amsterdam door de ogen van Eberhard van der Laan’ is an ode to the city of Amsterdam. Curated by mayor Eberhard van der Laan. This, very sadly, in light of his soon to be pass away.

As guest-curator, Van der Laan chose 80 pieces from the Amsterdam Museum and Stadsarchief (city archive). To show how Amsterdam did cope with previous challenges as fast growing city. And with the intention to open discussion on future ones.

Among the works chosen was an image of the Marokkaanse Boot. Taken during the Amsterdam Pride 2018.

Impression of exhibition Amsterdam door de ogen van Eberhard van der Laan at Amsterdam Museum, featuring the image Marokkaanse Boat by photographer Bram Belloni.
Impression exhibition Amsterdam door de ogen van Eberhard van der Laan at Amsterdam Museum. Middle: photograph titled De Marokkaanse Boot, by Bram Belloni.

With caption reading:

PROUD OF PRIDE – ‘Pride Amsterdam is not so much an event, it is a symbol of the open and tolerant city we want to be. We celebrate the freedom to be ourselves.’ When Van der Laan was mayor he joined the Canal Parade almost every year. This photograph shows the Moroccan boat.

Tearsheet of Dutch news paper Het Parool June 16th, 2018, review exhibition De Mooiste Stad at Amsterdam Museum, featuring image De Marokkaanse Boot by photographer Bram Belloni.
Tear sheet of Dutch news paper Het Parool June 16th, 2018, with review by Geert Mak of exhibition De Mooiste Stad at Amsterdam Museum. Featuring image De Marokkaanse Boot (below, 2nd left) by photographer Bram Belloni. (click for bigger image)

I felt honored that this image was noticed and chosen by ‘my’ mayor – a great mayor and man. And was proud that this specific topic, advocating the freedom to be ourselves, is something the city stands for.

Date: 22 June 2018
Categories: projects
topics: Amsterdam, causes, exhibitions, news, projects

Editorial Portrait: Casper Thomas for Folia Magazine

publications

For Folia Magazine, I was out for a portrait of Dutch journalist and author Casper Thomas. Thomas wrote Competente Rebellen (Competent Rebels), a publication about the 2015 Maagdenhuis occupation at the University of Amsterdam.

Picture had to be taken with Maagdenhuis in the background. The situation 10 minutes before shoot:

https://www.instagram.com/p/8gMEYrwNcD/?utm_source=ig_web_options_share_sheet

Portrait photography on the streets can be challenging; you can almost never have full control of all things in a crowded area. I let things just happen and try to take benefit from the element of surprise.

The Netherlands, Amsterdam, 02 October 2015. Portrait Casper Thomas, Dutch journalist and author Competente rebellen, publication about the 2015 University of Amsterdam Maagdenhuis occupation. Picture taken in front of the Maagdenhuis. Photo: Bram Belloni *DIGITAL ALTERED IMAGE* / Nederland, Amsterdam, 02 oktober 2015. Portret Casper Thomas, journalist en auteur Competente rebellen, een publicatie over de Universiteit van Amsterdam Maagdenhuis bezetting van 2015. Foto genomen voor het Maagdenhuis. Foto: Bram Belloni *DIGITAAL GEMANIPULEERD BEELD* / (c) 2015, www.belloni.nl
Casper Thomas, tear sheet Folia Magazine 06-2015
Editorial photography Bram Belloni for Folia Magazine

And there was, in this case, some digital altering involved.

The result in de publication (click image for larger view):

Casper Thomas, tear sheet Folia Magazine 06-2015
Editorial photography Bram Belloni for Folia Magazine

> Read more: Competente rebellen | Amsterdam University Press
> Read more about: Magazine – Folia

Date: 13 October 2015
Categories: publications
topics: Amsterdam, assignments, editorial, people, portraits, tearsheets, visual diary

Editorial Portrait: Jan Drost for Folia Magazine

publications

For Folia Magazine, a publication of the University of Amsterdam, I did a an editorial portrait of Jan Drost, Dutch philosopher and author.

The art directors idea was to do a portrait based on a classical Greek statue or bust.

Working on that idea, I thought it would be great to do it all in the shot, without digitally altering afterwards. The preparations:

https://www.instagram.com/p/3RSEHLQNX6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

By using a black shirt on a black background, we created the oval shape around the chest. This shape defines the bust portraits.

The Netherlands, Amsterdam, 27 May 2015. Portrait Jan Drost, Dutch author and philosopher, docent at Hogeschool van Amsterdam. Photo: Bram Belloni / Nederland, Amsterdam, 27 mei 2015. Portret Jan Drost, auteur en filosoof, docent aan de Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA). Concept; greek, classical world, bust, statute, philosophy. Foto: Bram Belloni / (c) 2015, www.belloni.nl
Jan Drost, philosopher and author
May 2015, Bram Belloni for Folia Magazine

The second option was the portrayed wearing a Greek chiton.

The Netherlands, Amsterdam, 27 May 2015. Portrait Jan Drost, Dutch author and philosopher, docent at Hogeschool van Amsterdam. Photo: Bram Belloni / Nederland, Amsterdam, 27 mei 2015. Portret Jan Drost, auteur en filosoof, docent aan de Hogeschool van Amsterdam (HvA). Concept; greek, classical world, bust, statute, philosophy. Foto: Bram Belloni / (c) 2015, www.belloni.nl
Jan Drost, philosopher and author
May 2015, Bram Belloni for Folia Magazine

The result in the publication (next to some smaller inserts):

Tearsheet Folia 29/2015, editorial photography Bram Belloni
Tearsheet Folia 29/2015, editorial photography Bram Belloni
(click for bigger image)

> art direction: Vruchtvlees
> read more about: Folia Magazine 29/2015
> read more about: Jan Drost

Date: 18 June 2015
Categories: publications
topics: editorial, people, portrait, publications, tearsheets