The Luthier's Hands

Commissioned by 'Artisan Quarterly' magazine, this project involved creating an intimate environmental portrait series of Jan Visser, a revered violin maker working from his historic workshop in the heart of Amsterdam. The objective was to visually narrate the story of his lifelong dedication, the meticulous nature of his craft, and the unique, timeless atmosphere of his workspace. We spent a full day with Jan, primarily using the beautiful available light filtering into the workshop, supplemented occasionally with a soft, off-camera strobe. The focus was on capturing authentic moments of concentration, the texture of aged wood, the precision of his tools, and the quiet passion evident in his hands, resulting in a compelling photo essay.