My name is Rob van Dijk. I am an eyewear collector and photographer of ladies in vintage prescription glasses. The portrait photography project called "Ladies behind Crystal Veil" started in 2009. The initial aim of the project was just to make a digital catalog of my collection of 2000 glasses, not as stand alone objects but - so much nicer - with models posing in glasses. So far, 74 models in eight countries posed for me. The results can be seen on my weblogs "Ladies behind Crystal Veil", "More Ladies behind Crystal Veil" and "Lovely ladies behind crystal veil". My exhibitions of these portraits received a welcome exposure by the media (newspapers, national radio, television). The weblogs now have over two million page views.
 
The average photo shoot takes 2-3 hours in which some 40 glasses are used, varying from antique (e.g. pince-nez and face à main) to early 1960's cat eye glasses, huge 1970's and 1980's glasses and also some new glasses. Models are requested to send me their prescription and PD* well before the photo shoot. I then select glasses through which the model can see enough to achieve a natural effect in the portraits. Most models also pose in glasses way beyond their own prescription and this is often regarded the highlight of the photo shoot. "Cameraderie" is essential. The vintage prescription glasses add a touch of nostalgia, glamour and sometimes extravaganza. 

It is my intention is to carry on with the project until the vast majority of the collection (about 2000 pairs) has been captured. My collection hosts glasses of every strength so it caters for all prescriptions. 

"Crystal Veil" is the name of a song I wrote about ladies in glasses. It was the title track of my solo CD (as a singer-songwriter), released in 2007. 

I have been active on Model Mayhem since 2011 but there are far more German models here on Model Kartei so that's why I joined here recently.

I can speak and read German but writing in German is a problem. The grammar, Der - Die - Dass etc... So the correspondence with models will be bilingual. But not to worry, it always works :).

* (PD stands for Pupillary Distance between both eyes, in millimeters. It's like the "dress size" of a model's face. Knowing the model's PD me to select glasses of the proper size for the photo shoot)