Dreamlike forest paths star in the winning photos of the Dutch photo contest

23 July 2018 Forests in photos

PEFC Netherlands announced the winners of its national photo contest with the theme “mooiste bospaadje” (#mooistebospaadje, Most beautiful forest path).

Caught in a minute in a dream that I had 

"We thank all contributors for the lovely photos of their own most beautiful forest paths," said Maarten Willemen, Chairman of PEFC Netherlands. “The accompanying texts often gave an extra dimension to the photo.”

In line with the theme of the contest, the winners received their prizes on a forest path in De Barkel in Wierden – the first PEFC-certified forest in the Netherlands. 

The award ceremony marked the opening of an exhibition of 20 shortlisted photos.

The winning images

Lush

Mariska Kwee won first prize with her picture 'Caught in a minute in a dream that I had', taken in Ede in Gelderland, Netherlands. The photo was chosen as the winner out of over 300 images entered into the contest.

Second place went to Jeroen Schouten for his image 'Lush' taken in Apeldoorn in Gelderland, Netherlands, showing a forest path illuminated by the sun.

Winter in the Forest

'Winter in het Bos' (Winter in the Forest) by Bert ten Brink was awarded third place. The picture was taken in Hilversum in North Holland, Netherlands and impressively shows the winter sun gleaming through the trees.

In addition, the jury chose three winners among images taken by photographers under 18 years.

The winning images from this youth category are:

“Lievelingspaadje langs de beek” (Favourite path along the stream) taken by Roos

“#mooistebospaadje” (#mostbeautifulforestpath) by Mats & Syrah

"Dit maakt mij blij" (This makes me happy) by Vincente & Wouter

The prizes

For first and second place, Ms. Kwee receives a long stay, and Mr. Schouten a weekend, in a tree house in the North Holland Dune Reserve at Camping Geversduinen. For third place, Mr. ten Brink can look forward to a day visit to the Efteling theme park in Kaatsheuvel, Netherlands.

For winning first prize in the youth (under 18) category, Roos gets a stay in the Efteling theme park, Mats & Syrah will spend a holiday in a Hobbit house and Vincente & Wouter win a day visit to the Efteling theme park.

Exhibition

You can see all the nominatedThe winners of the Dutch photo contest photos from both the adult and youth categories at the exhibition ‘#mooistebospaadje van Nederland’ (most beautiful forest path of the Netherlands) in the De Barkel estate in Wierden, until 16 September.

Alongside their photos, you will also see photos of the winners themselves, on their own most beautiful forest lane. The 26 photos have been printed on canvases and are hanging between the trees on the estate.

All photos entered into the Dutch national contest can be seen on www.mooistebospaadje.nl.

Photo credit: Mariska Kwee, Jeroen Schouten, Bert ten Brink