The book ‘Unseen’
A celebration to kitesurfing, my passion for the sport
and the elements.
This book is about my journey.
It’s more than just kitesurfing. It is a beautiful mix of action, lifestyle, portraits, and nature that I shot over the past decade.
About the book
After my surf foil accident in February 2021 I decided to work on a dream project. A high quality photo book. Being partly paralyzed doesn’t make things easier. Limited energy and a lack of hand function made working on my computer and navigating through my hard drives a challenging task. With some help I slowly started to create a beautiful selection and after a full year of dedication and hard work the book came alive.
Featuring a variety of world-class riders that became good friends throughout the years. Many of my photographs have been published worldwide in magazines and advertisements, but this book contains a collection of work that mostly hasn’t been seen.
The photos are bundled in a high-quality hardcover photo book, giving you a feeling of kitesurfing photography you haven’t had before. In an increasingly digital world, a world flooded with short clips and tiny photos, this is my celebration of kitesurfing and my desired love for the elements.
In this book you will find riders like Ruben Lenten, Jesse Richman, Jalou Langeree, Nick Jacobsen, Matchu Lopes, Kevin Langeree, and many more, riding in a variety of conditions in South Africa, Brazil, Indonesia, Madagascar, Australia, and other places.
I teamed up with my friend and talented rider Oswald Smith ‘Ozzie’ who added some of his magic words to the book along with some of my personal handwritten writings.
The book is available in three different editions. A Standard Edition, a personally Signed Edition and a Surprise Print Edition that comes with a signed book, including a 20 x 30 cm limited 1 out of 20 surprise print on beautiful fine art photo paper.
BUY MY BOOK HERE
About me
In 2003, Ydwer van der Heide discovered the world of kitesurfing, and from that moment, he was hooked. Fueling his love for adventure and the elements, Ydwer combined his passion for photography with the thrill of kiteboarding. Together with his friend Bas Koole, he embarked on a quest to revolutionize the way freestyle kiteboarding was captured. Through countless trials and errors, they explored different angles and innovative lighting techniques and pushing the boundaries of the sport.
As Bas evolved into an exceptional rider in front the lens, Ydwer’s photographic work grew increasingly professional over the years. Their creative pursuits and travel adventures to the best kitesurfing destinations caught the attention of media worldwide, and his work found its way into prestigious magazines, becoming a recognized name in the industry.
In 2011, a big moment arose when I received a official assignment from Airush, bringing his career to the next level. Becoming their go-to photographer, he started handling most of their campaign shoots. Soon brands such as Mystic, F-One, North, Naish, Slingshot, Brunotti, and Cabrinha were following.
Working closely with the best riders in the industry allowed him to capture breathtaking moments on camera. Their adventures not only ensured fantastic content and cover shots for magazines but also created a friendship between them.
In 2016, his talents caught the attention of Red Bull, and he became an official Red Bull photographer. His expertise in kitesurfing photography led him to be their main photographer for the Red Bull Megaloop and King of the Air competitions. As his portfolio expanded, he also joined the Global Kitesurf Association in 2017, becoming their global staff photographer, capturing their events around the world.
However, the unforeseen challenges of the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, making travel difficult and uncertain. Like many, he wondered if his career would ever be the same again. Little did he know that life had even greater challenges in store.
In 2021, a life-altering surf accident changed everything in a heartbeat. He found himself paralyzed from the chest down, and the life he once knew was forever transformed. Amidst the challenges of rehabilitation, he sought solace in his passion for photography. It was the moment where he started thinking about his dream project, a coffee table photo book. The therapeutic process of creating a photo book not only showcased my past achievements but also ignited my determination to get back to work. With a lot of dedication he started working on this project. It wasn't;t easy in the beginning. The amount of energy it took to work on his computer and go through his files was just not there. But giving up was not an option for Ydwer. Everyday he slowly improved and after a full year of hard work a beautiful 300-page hardcover coffee table photo book was there. A celebration life's most remarkable moments.
While his perspective and shooting style may have changed, his passion for photography burns brighter than ever. Despite the challenges life has thrown his way, he still find joy in capturing the essence of kitesurfing and the adventures in his daily life. For him, photography is not just a profession but a lifelong love affair with the art of storytelling through visuals. And he continues to shoot because, at the core, he truly enjoys it.