Visiting Amsterdam - Photo suggestions

Pentax SMC P-DA 12-24mm F4.0 ED/AL (IF)

06/12/2005 01:53:51 AM · #1

I am visiting my favourite city in Europe at the start of August - Amsterdam. Last time I was there was on the trip I purchased my forst dSLR, but I did not get it until later on in the trip.

This time I am arriving armed with my trusty 20D. I will be staying in the central area, very close to the main station.

I thought I'd do a canal trip. General walking around the older area of town etc.

I know to make sure I do not have a camera in the RLD, for obvious reasons.

So ....

Can anyone suggest particular places to visit for photos that are going to be walkable, or at least easy to get to br tram, in Amsterdam?

I am sure there are more than enough places for me, but don't want to later find I missed something special :)

Philos

Canon EOS-30D

06/12/2005 04:23:27 AM · #2

Take a look at this gallery
Holland
This is mostly Amsterdam and "De Zaansche Schans"
De zaanse schans is a open air museum with lots of windmills, a cloggs "factory" cheese farm etc... Very authentic and about a 15-20 minute drive from Amsterdam (don't take a taxi, they are crazy expensive).

Just walk around in Amsterdam, there are lots of photo-oportunities everywhere you walk.

Have a great time!

Azrifel

Nikon Coolpix P340

06/12/2005 04:57:38 AM · #3

Sail Amsterdam from the 17th till the 22nd.
Hortus Botanicus if you like plants.
Artis Zoo for animals.
Just walk around the several quarters of the town and shoot away if you're into people/portraits or architecture. Check thissite, go to cityguide, go to quaint quarters and see on the map what each has to offer. Jordaan and Between the Canals are the areas I like the most, altough there are some areas in the Plantage (not all these names represent a certain borough on the real map!) that are interesting as well.

I also recommend Zaansche Schans, perhaps you could hire a car or something. If so, also check out Marken or Muiderslot. All are not too far away.

I can't think of anything specific 'must see'. What are you interested in?

Pano

Pentax K10D

06/12/2005 05:13:01 AM · #4

amsterdam is a small city, you will be able to walk though it, be sure to check the Jordan which is a nice neighbourhood and the vondelpark
in the redlight district you are not allowed to take pictures, just so you know

Here are two pictures i've made, but you will notice there is million of nice buildings and canals which make for great photo opportunities
[thumb]136991 [/thumb]

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/12/2005 09:00:39 PM · #5

Thanks for some great links there guys :)

Shame I am there before the tall ships even though :(

That City guide looks especially useful :) And now I even know where Jordan is *laugh*

Pano ... where is that first photo of yours taken? (thumb link did not quite work by the way)

doctornick

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

06/12/2005 09:17:16 PM · #6

Volendam is pretty close...beautiful little port...windmills and all...

ckempf

Nikon D100

06/12/2005 09:33:29 PM · #7

I will be taking my first trip to Amsterdam in August (11th - 24th) and would love to know what places in the area, as well as places in or out of the area that could be visited in a day. My main focus will be photo and HD video, so any tips for a European first-timer would be helpful
Is RLD dangerous or are people just "camera shy?"

Have a successful trip, Natator.

06/13/2005 12:38:07 AM · #8

Originally posted by ckempf:

Is RLD dangerous or are people just "camera shy?"

Have a successful trip, Natator.

Thanks :)

RLD is very safe indeed, just use common sense. It is best when busy, which is from about 10:00pm - 2:00am. Fun at night, prety drab in the day.

Be VERY careful with a camera though. It is ok to take photos in the general area, but not ok to take a photo of a girl in a window, and I have heard tales of tourists having real hassle over that. If in doubt leave the camera at the hotel I think.

06/13/2005 04:05:09 AM · #9

Ok, found a really cool photographic event the day after I get there ... This should make some great photo oppertunities :)

//www.amsterdampride.nl/engels/indexeng.htm

ckempf

Nikon D100

06/14/2005 09:27:28 PM · #10

That does look like fun. That will be a few days before I get there. If you here of anything else, please let me know. And thanks for the RLD tips.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

06/16/2005 03:03:25 AM · #11

Originally posted by ckempf:

That does look like fun. That will be a few days before I get there. If you here of anything else, please let me know. And thanks for the RLD tips.

I would certainly go check out the Sail Amsterdam, which is too late for me ... but matches your timeframe :)

nicoledb

Nikon D70s

06/16/2005 03:37:24 AM · #12

Originally posted by Natator:

Pano ... where is that first photo of yours taken? (thumb link did not quite work by the way)

That's at Nieuwmarkt, close to Central Station, close to RLD. But then, everything is close in Amsterdam :-)

aKiwi

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

06/16/2005 03:50:09 AM · #13

I'm one of those tourists that got into trouble. I didn't even take a picture of the girls, but I was doing a multiple exposure of the neon signs there. anyway one of the girls there probably thought I was photographing her, and got a bit aggressive. Luckily it is easier to run fast in sports shoes than in 15 cm high heels!
You will find loads of beautifull old houses, bridges and canals all over the place there

ckempf

Nikon D100

06/16/2005 05:05:08 AM · #14

anyway one of the girls there probably thought I was photographing her, and got a bit aggressive. Luckily it is easier to run fast in sports shoes than in 15 cm high heels!

I am thankful for this and the other tips, especially regarding RLD. I was composing shots in my head of this famous/infamous area, but will heed the advise and keep my camera at home if I venture into the "forbidden zone." I was also going to bring my Sony HVR-Z1...any other issues regarding photo/video in Amsterdam that I should be aware of?

petrik

Nikon D70