Rotterdam based Photographer Willem de Kam sits down and talks to us about his role in documenting Dutch football culture. Fascinated by human behaviour in all of its manifestations, Willem dissects his subject matter through the lens of his camera on and off the field.
Where did you study and how has that effected your photographic style?
I studied Graphic Design at the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam. The research part of the design assignments was most interesting for me. I’ve continued this research in my photography, which really helped me to develop my style. Along with that, it also helps to be able to think like a designer when editing or shooting.
Football is a strong focus for your work, how did you break into the field?
I think for a photographer it helps to have a strong connection with the subject you’re shooting.
I’ve played football since I was a child, until I was about 17 and other interests took over. My dad took me to De Kuip (Feyenoord’s Stadium) when I was little and the view of a roaring full stadium, of course, made a big impression at the time. I guess it was inevitable for me at one point to get back into football. What interests me today is not just what’s happening on the field but what goes beyond the white chalk lines.
Magazines about football culture, like Soccerbible or 11Freunde for example, didn’t exist in the Netherlands. So it was quite a challenge to find a way to present my football related pictures, even to the point that I was thinking about starting my own publication. Over the past few years Staantribune and Santos Magazine emerged which gave me the opportunity to get into the game. This also allowed me to build a football portfolio, which in time got picked up by Soccerbible and others.
At the moment I’m doing various assignments for the two Dutch magazines. Besides that I always take my camera to Feyenoord home games and the occasional awayday. Hopefully this will turn into more of a story in the future.
What is your current set up for a match day shoot?
I’m currently shooting football with a Fujifilm x100t rangefinder camera. This enables me to really blend in with the crowd. I’m mostly focussing on what’s happening around the pitch, I want to be really close to the action. On assignments I use a Canon 6D with a Sigma 24mm 1.4 or a Canon 50mm 1.2 lens. For portraits I try to use an analog Hasselblad 500c as much as I can.
How was the experience of shooting the Nike FootballX ‘Winner Stays’ tournament?
The Winner Stays tournament was the embodiment of ‘future football’ for me. It was football blending with creativity, music and street culture. It was loud, it was colorful, it was fast. I used to shoot punk concerts from the pit, this felt a bit alike. The crowd was so close to the action, they were almost part of the game. I’d love to do more events like this.
We have been lucky enough to visit the Netherlands, its such a rich culture soaked country. How does being based in Rotterdam effect your work?
The city used to top the crime charts in the Netherlands but is now on the ‘Must Visit’ Lonely Planet lists. It’s on the rise, there are lots of interesting things happening in architecture, arts and culture. Also football and hiphop, two of my interests, both take an important spot in the city of Rotterdam. It’s the only city in the Netherlands with 3 clubs in the top flight. Musicians, like Broederliefde from Rotterdam, represent their football club at shows or in their music. Manchester United player Memphis Depay used to rap in Rotterdam Airlines. They all grew up playing football on the streets together so these two worlds are very connected. I’m lucky to be a part of that as a photographer. But your question can best be answered by a compliment another photographer once gave me. He told me that I had a very ‘Rotterdam’ style of photography: no pretensions, clear and honest.
Outside of football, we have seen that you have shot some interesting projects. How have they been compared to shooting football related briefs?
Although photographing amongst ultra’s is a little different than shooting elderly people playing crossword puzzles, I think the important thing for me is to approach everyone as equals. I try to blend in with the people, the situation, and be an integral part of the moment. This way I try to capture the atmosphere as good as I can. When the audience viewing my pictures get the feeling they were there, I’m happy.
Plans for the future?
It seems that even in these internet times it’s still really important to publish books so that’s high up my list. At the moment I’m working on a series on football clubhouses and another one on above average front yards in the Netherlands – www.kaboutersenadelaars.nl.
Another plan, or wish, or dream, is to see Feyenoord win the league again (at least once in my life). That could be a long term plan, although they might just do so this year. In the end I’m just really grateful I can meet all these interesting people and see all these interesting things because of a camera I carry around.
Make sure you are following Willem over on Instagram and Twitter! Don’t forget to check out his website, to see what else Willem has been shooting.
