De Schorre (de trollen)

Wooden giants in the forest near Boom

In the recreational domain De Schorre, just outside Boom, you'll find five large wooden sculptures by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. He builds his giants from recycled wood and likes to hide them in nature, so you have to discover them yourself. That element of searching makes the place photographically interesting too: each figure has its own spot, its own surroundings and its own character.

What makes this place photogenic

The sculptures are large, rough in texture and made from weathered wood. That gives them an organic quality that fits well with the forest landscape around them. You can photograph them wide, as part of the landscape, or you can get very close and make the texture of the wood your subject. A 28 to 50mm focal length works well for the surroundings, while a longer lens or macro reveals the details in the material.

Including people works well as a sense of scale. Children standing next to a giant several metres tall tell the story immediately. Watch your background: the trees close off the frame, but on busy days you'll quickly find other visitors in your shot.

Light and season

Autumn is the finest time. Warm colours in the trees, the occasional soft morning mist, and the weathered wood tones of the sculptures fit exactly into that palette. But honestly, the place works all year round. In winter everything is bare and the giants carry a little more presence in the frame. In summer the greenery around them is lush, which creates a strong contrast with the raw wood.

Overcast weather is pleasant here. Direct sunlight filtering through the trees creates hard shadows that are difficult to expose for. A grey sky evens out the light and lets the texture of the sculptures come through more clearly.

Practical information

De Schorre is an accessible recreational domain. There is a car park at Schommelei 1 in Boom. The site is large and the giants are spread out, so allow at least an hour if you want to find all five. Early in the morning you'll largely have the place to yourself; later in the day it gets busier, especially at weekends. No permit is required for non-commercial photography.

Sources and further reading

• Recreatiedomein De Schorre – officiële site
• Thomas Dambo – officiële website
• Toerisme Provincie Antwerpen – De Schorre