Amsterdam Red Light District
Jul 13, 2016 09:43:26 #
Luvtravlin'
Loc: So. Oregon
I took some photos when I was there a couple of years ago. While there one of my group fell, it was pretty crowded. One of the ladies came out from behind the glass to make sure she was OK, held her hand and got her a cold cloth for her face that was slightly bloodied. She couldn't have been nicer. She was a beautiful, intelligent woman. I think photos from a respectful distance are OK and the ladies probably expect it. Just remember that it isn't a zoo and give them some respect.
Jul 13, 2016 09:47:36 #
Croce
Loc: Earth
Shellback wrote:
Google is your friend - if you search for Amsterda... (show quote)
I know you are trying to be helpful but the red light district is not particularly noted for it's architectural appeal. The OP is asking for advice on how to photograph whores. The best advice is: With a very cheap disposable stomp proof, waterproof camera.
Jul 13, 2016 10:47:16 #
No photos allowed... It's not that photogenic anyway, and a relatively short street. I went to check it out, would skip it next trip. So many other beautiful subjects in Amsterdam to photograph - especially all those beauties riding around on bicycles!
Jul 13, 2016 11:04:27 #
ABJanes wrote:
It's illegal ...... http://www.amsterdam.info/red-light-district/
Your link states "and busloads of Japanese tourists toting cameras (except not in the direction of the female entertainers! Strictly banned!)."
The other link provided states "Yes, you can take photo’s in the Red Light District. The only thing that you can not take pictures of, are the prostitutes in Amsterdam."
I would not equate that to photography being illegal in the Rossebuurt
Jul 13, 2016 11:12:28 #
I did the tourist tour of the Amsterdam red light district a couple of years ago. The guide was very informative. The architecture interesting, and half the group was women. It is not at all something you need to hide from your wife (unless you return to the area after the tour). No pictures of people, or of the front of brothels. The guide will make quite clear what can and cannot be photographed.
Jul 13, 2016 11:19:27 #
Heather Iles wrote:
Please don't take photos of children either. Commonsense dictates and so follow your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable about a situation, that is a good warning sign that what you are doing is not acceptable in that country, so just be careful and you will enjoy Amsterdam.
Not taking pictures with children in them is strictly an American hang up. The rest of the world does not automatically presume you are a child molester just because you take a picture that has a child in it.
Taking pictures surreptitiously of ONLY children without a specific purpose is another thing, but to say avoid any picture that contains children is simply extending an American phobia to the rest of the more enlightened, civilized world.
Jul 13, 2016 11:29:41 #
This thread reminds me of a story my Dad told us once: Mom and Dad were living in Cologne at the time, and an acquaintance was really curious to see what this famous red light district was all about.
Dad took the acquaintance and his wife for a walk, Dad on the curbside, the wife in the middle and the acquaintance on the houses-side of the sidewalk. Passing one of the houses with the door open, a voice from inside called, "hey, you know you left your cufflinks here last night?"
Dad wouldn't repeat what the wife said, but I can assure you it wasn't pretty....
Dad took the acquaintance and his wife for a walk, Dad on the curbside, the wife in the middle and the acquaintance on the houses-side of the sidewalk. Passing one of the houses with the door open, a voice from inside called, "hey, you know you left your cufflinks here last night?"
Dad wouldn't repeat what the wife said, but I can assure you it wasn't pretty....
Jul 13, 2016 11:39:13 #
Jul 13, 2016 11:40:29 #
Jul 13, 2016 11:55:45 #
When I was there years ago they had balancers for people like them in the area that would take the film from your cameras from you. I saw photographers around it with the locals demanding the film. I don't know how it works in a digital age but I remember signs in the window saying no photographs. The windowed rooms are where are the prostitutes work. Also as others have said I would be very, very careful and that area of town. Find your standing is the theft rate is very high. Mainly, because many of them have to steal to get money for their drug habits.
Jul 13, 2016 12:13:39 #
You are going on an organized tour. Ask your guide. She/he will likely have some recommended photo sites as well as advising you what if off limits. European tour guides take their business very seriously, they depend on tips for their livelihood. Many have even take some "tourism" classes in school.
Jul 13, 2016 12:34:59 #
The easiest thing to do, is ask the tour guide they are very familiar with what can and cannot be photographed
Jul 13, 2016 12:40:52 #
Frankly, the red light district is a bore. Your best photo opportunity is to take a canal boat tour.
Jul 13, 2016 13:30:42 #
Photography intrudes. Ask permission, or think twice, before taking pictures of others. Bear in mind that our time differs from not so long ago. The advent of the Internet and digital photography together enables transmission in seconds of a given picture worldwide. Not all subjects want or seek this international exposure of their likeness. We photographers must exercise restraint, common sense, and general courtesy when doing photography involving others.
Jul 13, 2016 13:33:44 #
ABJanes wrote:
It's illegal ...... http://www.amsterdam.info/red-light-district/
The article states "prohibited" not 'illegal'. Clearly it is discouraged, and private security people have their ways of enforcing things, so at the very least be discrete. The legality issue appears to be more about photographing anybody in a private workspace without permission, regardless of the profession. That seems to imply that someone working in a public place, such as the street , may not actually be illegal, but still could be problematic.
"Photography in the red light district is perfectly ok as long as you don't photo the working girls. Not only is that against the law (This is fact- you need permission to photo someone in a private work space) but there's a good chance you will be attacked by the girls themselves or a pimp. The girls are scared of pictures getting on the internet since many have friends and family back home who don't know what they are doing so please show them some respect."
Clearly asking advice, being sensible and not attracting attention to yourself would be advisable.
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