In 2025, the work of Mark De Roeck was nominated for the Global Lens Awards in Dubai—an international platform where photographers from across the globe converge around the evolving language of contemporary imagery and the pursuit of visual precision.
The nomination was granted in the Landscape category for his series Light & Shadow. In this body of work, De Roeck navigates the quiet tension between illumination and absence, architecture and void. Stripping away the noise of the everyday, he distills familiar environments into their most essential form, allowing structure, rhythm, and stillness to surface as the true protagonists of the image.
The Global Lens Awards, based in the United Arab Emirates, are recognised for their international scope and their carefully curated spectrum of photographic practices. Within this context, De Roeck’s nomination situates his work at the intersection of artistic intention and technical rigor, where both are held in equal regard.
This recognition further anchors his presence within an expanding global network of image-makers, while reaffirming his commitment to a restrained, minimalist visual language—one in which reduction becomes not absence, but clarity.
Mark De Roeck is a photographer whose passion for imagery began during his studies in graphic design and advertising. From the start, he focused on photography and, together with friends, established a studio where he experimented with lighting for black-and-white photos. His professional career began as an artistic director at an advertising agency, where he collaborated with various photographers specializing in different fields, such as fashion, interior design, architecture, and packaging design. This experience fueled his fascination with creating the right atmosphere and lighting for every subject.Over time, his interest in landscapes grew thanks to his travels through Central and North America and Australia. These explorations broadened his perspective and led him to view people not only as photographic subjects but also as elements integrated into specific situations. Mark De Roeck continues to combine his expertise in lighting with a fresh perspective on the interaction between individuals and their environment, creating images that capture unique moments and moods.
