Patrick Spruytenburg, born in the Netherlands and currently living in Eindhoven, one of the bigger cities in the south. With a technical education, he is currently working as an engineer in a world-leading company that provides equipment to produce computer chips.
Photo credit_Jurgen Rijsdijk
Photography started about twenty years ago with the purchase of his first own reflex camera. After reading a lot of books (he is completely self-taught) and experimenting with various subjects, he took his camera to a concert of the Dutch gothic metal band Within Temptation, where his first acceptable shot marked the beginning of his enthusiasm for concert photography. After a long struggle of making deals with bands and managements, he works nowadays as a photographer, writer and editor and does a lot of communication for Rockportaal.nl, a Dutch e-zine with national coverage of concerts and festivals. Besides this, he is also a house photographer of De Effenaar, one of the leading concert venues in The Netherlands. When not taking pictures, he likes to relax with some music and a nice glass of whiskey and a cigar.
Famous10
UranianWilly: If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be and why?
Patrick: I’m not a professional photographer, but take pictures as a hobby. In my profession, I’m an engineer, something I’ve always wanted to be.
UranianWilly: If I was to turn on your music player right now, what 3 artists/songs would I see on your recently played list?
Patrick: My musical taste is very diverse, I like to listen to all kinds of metal, alternative and industrial, but also can enjoy intimate singer/songwriter. At this moment, on my recent playlist you’d find 80’s hair metal like Lizzy Borden, Vicious Rumors and W.A.S.P.
UranianWilly: If you had a chance to bring one person back from the dead, who would it be and why?
Patrick: I also have an interest in the history of WWII, and I’ve read several books of German war photographers / correspondents. Their neutral attitude towards the war and the nation they served is unbelievable nowadays. I’d choose for a German war photographer to be able to discuss the circumstances that are unthinkable for me. I absolutely don’t support any of the motives, but think the extreme circumstances are really intriguing.
UranianWilly: What is the most trouble you’ve ever gotten into and did you learn anything from it?
Patrick: Loosing my job in a very difficult time. But I’ve learned that that you can define it as a negative situation, but better is to approach is as an opportunity. Stay positive!
UranianWilly: What three things you regret not learning to do?
Patrick: No real regrets of things I didn’t learn to do. “If I could do it all over again I would do it completely different” is not applicable to me. If there are things I want to learn, I still can and will do.
UranianWilly: What do you like most about photography?
Patrick: To be able to combine it with my other hobby: live music.
UranianWilly: Do you believe there is intelligent life in the Universe?
Patrick: I don’t believe in assuming, so until there’s proof I don’t believe in it.
UranianWilly: What 3 adjectives would you use to describe your personality (even the weirdest or funny example)?
Patrick: Enthusiastic, impulsive but also serious.
UranianWilly: What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
Patrick: For this one I quote the musical Rent: “No day but today”. For more information about what I mean with this: watch the musical. The theme itself may be a little outdated but the message remains timeless…
UranianWilly: Ten years from now you will be where or what?
Patrick: I have no intention to make the move to become a professional photographer, since I like the way I can completely control my hobby without any obligations, and my enthusiasm in being able to combine two hobbies is my driving force. I don’t think my life / work will change drastically, it will just evolve. But I keep all options open…
