Bloeiende fruitbomen Betuwe

Why the Betuwe is so special during blossom time

Somewhere in the second half of April, the Betuwe transforms into a sea of white and pink. The fruit orchards around Tiel, Buren and Geldermalsen are in full bloom. Apple, pear, cherry, plum: each with its own shade and its own moment. It is one of the few places in the Netherlands where you can work as a photographer for weeks on the same subject without repeating yourself.

The blossom draws a lot of visitors, but the region is large enough to find quiet corners. Drive the small roads along the dykes and the polders. The older orchards, with their gnarled branches and a little moss on the bark, are more interesting to photograph than the modern low-stem orchards. Pay attention to the relationship between tree and background: a row of flowering trees with a light morning mist beneath them works better than that same row against a plain blue sky.

Light and timing

The golden hour early in the morning is at its best here. The light catches the blossom low and at an angle, which separates the flowers from the background. In overcast conditions you lose the cast shadows, but you gain softer detail in the flowers themselves. For macro photography that is actually more pleasant.

The blossom does not last long. An early spring or a few days of wind can shrink the window considerably. Keep an eye on local fruit-growing reports, or check the blossom overview from the Nederlandse Fruittelers Organisatie. On average mid-April is the safest time, but in a warm year it can start as early as the beginning of April.

Composition and focal length

For landscape shots a focal length between 35mm and 85mm works well. You want to show the orchard as a whole, with a strong foreground: a path, a ditch, an old wall. Make use of the depth in the rows of trees. A telephoto lens, 200mm or longer, draws the stacked rows of trees together nicely and softens the background.

For macro you do not need a dedicated macro lens, although it helps. With a 100mm macro or a standard portrait lens with an extension tube you can go a long way. Look for flowers with dew on them, early in the morning. A reflector or a piece of white card as a background can help isolate the flower if the background is too busy.

Practical

The roads around Buren, Zoelen and Maurik are easily accessible by car. Parking along the road is usually possible, but be mindful of entrances to farmyards. The orchards are private property. Photograph from the public road or ask the owner for permission. Most fruit growers are willing if you ask politely and cause no damage. The Fruitcorso Tiel takes place every year in September and attracts large crowds, but the blossom period in April is quieter and photographically far richer.

Sources and further reading

• Nederlandse Fruittelers Organisatie (NFO)
• Gemeente Tiel
• Regio Rivierenland
• Wikipedia: Betuwe