Shot of the ring of canals in Amsterdam, taken at the beginning of the blue hour.
Amsterdam has countless photogenic spots, but De Singel remains a favorite for me. This shot was taken just after the sun had set. The sky turned a deep blue, with a few clouds here and there giving the image just a little more depth. The streetlights jumped on, and the city took on that quiet, almost magical atmosphere you only see at that time of night.
I had deliberately set out for this photo. The conditions were ideal: windless, no pleasure boats on the water, and a clear sky. This means that the canals behave like a mirror, and the reflections of the historic facades, the warm lighting ánd the striking houseboats come out beautifully. These houseboats give the picture something special, typically Amsterdam, a mix of history and life on the water.
With my camera on a tripod and the settings adjusted to the low light, I was able to work with a slower shutter speed. This sharpens the details and gives the water that smooth, calm look you see in the image.
At home at my desk, I developed the shot further. As always, I take my time with that: colour correction, contrast, and fine-tuning the details so that the image conveys exactly the atmosphere I felt there.
The result is a cityscape that radiates calm, character and recognition, Amsterdam in its finest light.
Photo Wall Decoration Shop, a beautiful collection of high-quality wall decorations for on the wall at home or in the office. Here you will find unique images of New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles, among others, but also of course of Amsterdam, .. Read more…