I've posted this before but it bears repeating.
See how many bridges you can get from a moving boat! Taken with my old Pentax MX film camera many, many years ago. Just found this and no adjustments as yet. Todays task! Anyway, have fun and take many photos.
Busby wrote:
I am going to Amsterdam in Sept/Oct and am wondering what suggestions the UHH community has for photo opportunities.
I understand the "red light" district is non photo friendly.
I am staying in Zandvoort on the coast...15 miles from Amsterdam.
Thank you in advance.
Busby
If I were going I'd take my bag and probably use my go to lens all the time.
When you walk directly into the cities transportation hub. Get your map of the tram system, and bus system at the VVV, it will be just outside of the train station. To your left, you'll the old church, behind that lies the "old" town. In the Old Town every street is worth a picture or two. Watch your step for bicyclist, they mostly have the right of way. You may want to look and photograph the types of bikes you see. Some have huge boxed between the front wheel, and peddler, for hauling groceries, and small children. I wouldn't waste my time in the "red light district" the ladies in the windows move inside at the slightest hint of a camera. Plus the houses there are not that picturesque. If you like to smoke weed, there is legal cafes that will sell you all you want. The canals don't have barriers, so like Venice, don't backup to far to get that shot, you have to swim for your life. Don't worry to much about language, the Dutch mostly all speak English. You will not need a car in Amsterdam, trams, buses and cabs will save you a mountain of money, just to park it. Your hotel, or they will be able to guide you to a bike rental company, this is the best way to get around, but mind the traffic lights, stop signs etc. You can get a ticket by running a signal. Take a canal tour, and bus tour, take a notebook, write down all the thrilling locations you may want to explore later. You can return later by tram, or bus and then really shoot the scenes. Have a good time.
B
It's been over 30 years since we visited Amsterdam--back in the days of film cameras. The photos I liked the best were all taken at night. The buildings along the canals were all lit up. Then, there was the Leidesplein which left me with some nice photos, with the lights and the people enjoying a dry evening.
Busby wrote:
I am going to Amsterdam in Sept/Oct and am wondering what suggestions the UHH community has for photo opportunities.
I understand the "red light" district is non photo friendly.
I am staying in Zandvoort on the coast...15 miles from Amsterdam.
Thank you in advance.
Busby
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As already noted, there are lots of photogenic places in Amsterdam. So let's talk about the red light district. Take pictures of everything there except direct pictures of the eager ladies in the red rimmed windows. You can do those also, but with a telephoto lens from a discrete distance. A 200mms lens will serve you well for that. Otherwise, a 24 - 70 lens is great for just walking around in the district. Beware of breathing to deeply as you walk past the bars or maybe just breath deeply and hold your breath.
Peterff
Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
Dan De Lion wrote:
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As already noted, there are lots of photogenic places in Amsterdam. So let's talk about the red light district. Take pictures of everything there except direct pictures of the eager ladies in the red rimmed windows. You can do those also, but with a telephoto lens from a discrete distance. A 200mms lens will serve you well for that. Otherwise, a 24 - 70 lens is great for just walking around in the district. Beware of breathing to deeply as you walk past the bars or maybe just breath deeply and hold your breath.
------- br br As already noted, there are lots of... (
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Discretion is the key word. Don't be obvious. Melt into the background. If you put a camera up to your eye it will attract attention. Hold it differently, with a wider lens on it you can probably still capture what you want and crop later. It would be good to read up a bit on street photography techniques if that is what you want to do. Apparently it is not legal to photograph anyone in the Netherlands in their private place of work without permission. The windows are a private place of work according to the theory. The open, public street, possibly not so much. That does not mean that people won't tell you to stop if they sense you are using a camera.
Peterff wrote:
Discretion is the key word. Don't be obvious. Melt into the background. If you put a camera up to your eye it will attract attention. Hold it differently, with a wider lens on it you can probably still capture what you want and crop later. It would be good to read up a bit on street photography techniques if that is what you want to do. Apparently it is not legal to photograph anyone in the Netherlands in their private place of work without permission. The windows are a private place of work according to the theory. The open, public street, possibly not so much. That does not mean that people won't tell you to stop if they sense you are using a camera.
Discretion is the key word. Don't be obvious. Mel... (
show quote)
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I agree with your advice if you are using a full sized DSLR. Both times I went the red light zone with my wife, I freely used her Sony rx100. No problems. When I mentioned focal lengths, I had in mind focal length equivalents.
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Busby
Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl
Thanks to everyone who responded...I will post pix when I return... I love hearing your experiences and your reaction to this wonderful country.
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