Street shooting in Amsterdam

[kuvvy]

Well, I'm off to Amsterdam in a couple of weeks and was wondering how good the place is for us street shooters. I know we have some RFF members over there. We (my wife and I) will of course be looking to see some of the touristy sights etc but I'm hoping to get my fair share of street shooting done though I believe the red light district is a no-no for photography. Gonna take along my Oly EM5 and Ricoh GR in my Bare Bones Bag and looking forward to my first visit there.

Paul

 

[majid]

I lived in Amsterdam for a year, it's a great place to visit and this is the best time of the year. The city itself is very compact, you can circle it entirely in about 1-2 hours' time on foot. As you point out, the walletjes (red light district, several in fact) are off-limits to photography, but tourists are welcome, and in fact you will be astonished by parents taking their kids out to watch. Another point of etiquette: Dutch custom is to leave living room windows decorated and wide-open to the street without curtains, but the tacit understanding is passers-by are expected not to stare inside, let alone photograph.

One of the best ways to visit the city is by boat. You can rent aluminium-hulled power boats by the hour near the flower market, they are very easy to navigate and you can explore all the many canals.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Amsterdam.

Leica II, Hektor 50mm f/2.5, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[Bingley]

I'll be in Amsterdam myself the third week in June. Still debating which cams and lenses to take, but will definitely be shooting a lot of film. We plan on walking everywhere, so I'll be packing light and keeping the kit simple. Looking forward to suggestions in this thread. Thanks to Kuvvy for starting it.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I was told by an Amsterdammer that Amsterdammers don't mind being photographed. It's true, but then, be careful, be tactful, and if someone looks at you like they don't want to be in the picture, just don't do it. I never had encounters with people, but then, I never sought them. I did, however, enjoy my time there, which was in 2008.

I don't know for how long you will be there, but take a day or two to "scout" the areas (I did, and realized that they are very distinct even within a small city). The Jordan and the Spui are the most picturesque (to me), but then the area near the Central station may catch your eye, or the end of the Chinese quarters. The neighborhood around the West Church was my favorite, and if you're going to be there on a Monday, make the effort to go to the Jordan and participate in the street market. Again, ask before photographing vendors. Some don't mind, but if they do, ask if you can take a photo of their wares. Usually, they don't mind.

Leydenplatz is a nifty place for night shots... and for drinks, if the outdoor seating bars are open. 🙂 Walk along the Princess Canal and the Kaiser Canal for pretty picturesque, Amsterdammic shots. I'll try to remember more... and dig out my photos from my 2008 visit.

 

[Merlijn53]

The only thing I know, there has been a lot of shooting in the streets of Amsterdam lately, criminals are killing each other by the dozens, so watch out 🙂
Frank

 

[Rayt]

If you have time take a day trip to Delft and Leiden. They are quaint "villages" with a special charm and tons of street photo ops. In Amsterdam the prefer the area around Centraal station. The area from Chinatown to Dam Square is also very interesting.

 

[Addy101]

Leydenplatz

😱 I guess you mean the Leidseplein 😎 Platz is very much German....
Leidseplein is the main area to go out as the side streets are packed with restaurants and nightclubs.
If the weather is nice (always an if in The Netherlands) visit the Vondelpark.
In some ways, Amsterdam is like a miniature New York, with the centre being compact (just like Manhattan on a slightly bigger scale). Being Dutch, I hate it that a lot of personnel in shops and restaurants don't speak Dutch, but that won't be a problem for you 🙄
I prefer The Hague and Utrecht to Amsterdam, but Amsterdam is very photogenic and if you do a google search for Amsterdam streetphotography you will find some good samples.

You might want to look at the samples on amsterdamstreets.com.

 

[Addy101]

The only thing I know, there has been a lot of shooting in the streets of Amsterdam lately, criminals are killing each other by the dozens, so watch out 🙂
Frank

These are in the suburbs and not "by the dozens" as there were 10 liquidations in Amsterdam in 2014. Lets not spread FUD when it isn't justified.....

 

[Merlijn53]

Don't take it too seriously. It was just the first thing that came up reading "street shooting in Amsterdam" 🙂
Beside that, I think 10 liquidations in 2014 (+about the same untill now in 2015), is quite a lot for our small, friendly country.

 

[Addy101]

I suspected it was in good humour, however, some people will take it seriously [did somebody say emoticon? 😉]. Within the Dutch context it indeed is a lot, internationally, not so.

 

[Tijmendal]

I feel obliged to chime in, as I live in Amsterdam.

If you have time take a day trip to Delft and Leiden. They are quaint "villages" with a special charm and tons of street photo ops. In Amsterdam the prefer the area around Centraal station. The area from Chinatown to Dam Square is also very interesting.

For sure.
I grew up in Leiden and it's pretty, but would recommend Delft over Leiden. Utrecht is also very nice and has actually been named the 'canal city of Europe' (over Venice and Amsterdam!) last week. The Oudegracht in Utrecht is absolutely incredible.

I was told by an Amsterdammer that Amsterdammers don't mind being photographed. It's true, but then, be careful, be tactful, and if someone looks at you like they don't want to be in the picture, just don't do it. I never had encounters with people, but then, I never sought them. I did, however, enjoy my time there, which was in 2008.

I don't know for how long you will be there, but take a day or two to "scout" the areas (I did, and realized that they are very distinct even within a small city). The Jordan and the Spui are the most picturesque (to me), but then the area near the Central station may catch your eye, or the end of the Chinese quarters. The neighborhood around the West Church was my favorite, and if you're going to be there on a Monday, make the effort to go to the Jordan and participate in the street market. Again, ask before photographing vendors. Some don't mind, but if they do, ask if you can take a photo of their wares. Usually, they don't mind.

Leydenplatz is a nifty place for night shots... and for drinks, if the outdoor seating bars are open. 🙂 Walk along the Princess Canal and the Kaiser Canal for pretty picturesque, Amsterdammic shots. I'll try to remember more... and dig out my photos from my 2008 visit.

All good info! The market on Noordermarkt on Sundays en Mondays is really nice. One of my favorite places to be in my beloved city. The atmosphere is incredible. While you're there, be sure to get a piece of apple-pie from Winkel (literal translation: shop), a little cafe on the street corner. Beste apple-pie in the city, country, probably continent and maybe the world.

I live a 3-minute walk from Leydenplatz as you call it (the official name is Leidseplein). Not my favorite area. Very tourist-oriented and the general public isn't that nice. The square is ok at night, but very busy and not very representative of what the city is like. If you're looking for a place to drink near there, I would recommend beer-cafe De Zotte or De Saloon. Both nice cafe's.

I lived in Amsterdam for a year, it's a great place to visit and this is the best time of the year. The city itself is very compact, you can circle it entirely in about 1-2 hours' time on foot. As you point out, the walletjes (red light district, several in fact) are off-limits to photography, but tourists are welcome, and in fact you will be astonished by parents taking their kids out to watch. Another point of etiquette: Dutch custom is to leave living room windows decorated and wide-open to the street without curtains, but the tacit understanding is passers-by are expected not to stare inside, let alone photograph.

One of the best ways to visit the city is by boat. You can rent aluminium-hulled power boats by the hour near the flower market, they are very easy to navigate and you can explore all the many canals.

This is all good-and-accurate information.


My own notes
- If you want to visit the Anne Frank house, be there at least half an hour before opening. This time of the year, queus can be as long 2 hours.
- Beware of cyclists. They're everywhere. Coming from any/every direction. Always look left, right, up and down before you cross any street. Though most of our 'streets' don't look like streets (because they're paved, not asphalt), they are streets! There are sidewalks everywhere and make sure you use them!
- Like someone posted: do a canal-tour. It's very touristy, but seeing the city from the canals is great. You can also rent your own little boat, which is a lot nicer (and quieter). Shouldn't be too hard to find. You'll also find places to rent pedalo's. Not at all a fast way to see everything and to get anywhere, but it's nice and relaxing.
- I wouldn't recommend renting a bike. Though it might seem like a great way to experience Dutch culture, you'll probably won't enjoy it a whole lot, because the dynamics on the road are very different from what you're used to. And you'll probably get scolded at a lot. During the summer months there's so many tourists on bikes that you have to be little rude to get where you want to. Besides, the city is tiny and public transport is really good.
- Public transport is amazing, though you probably won't need it (unless you're very far out of the city centre). You can buy 24/48/72-hour passes that are fairly priced. Use 9292.nl as a travel-planner.
- Go get lost. The most beautiful spots in the city are places you would normally never find. Walking around is one of my favorite things to do.

If you've got any questions, let me know.

 

[Bingley]

It's been a long time since I was last in Amsterdam. How useful would it be to have a wider lens than 35mm? I don't go wider than 28, but am debating whether to take a 28 or not. Thoughts?

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Leidseplein!!! 🙂 Sorry, but my travels take me to Germany far more often than to Amsterdam. Sorry about the misspelling. I'll try not to repeat it.

As for the lens, Bingley... I wouldn't bother with a 28mm lens if you have a 35mm already. I took both in my trip, but ended using the 35mm more often. Now... if you want to, or if 28mm is your vision, by all means take it. I had a 50mm lens with me as well... but then, I see the world through my 35.