Sail Amsterdam

 

2.3 million people visited this year’s event and it is hard to describe the enthusiasm of visitors at the biggest public event of the Netherlands, at the same time the biggest international public nautical event around the globe. This is the crew of the Russian tall ship MIR, enjoying the performance of a Dutch senior music group at the traditional parade of the participating ship crews. Due to some technical difficulties at the front, we all had the chance to see the full show of all the participants, that otherwise we’d only see while they walk. The event had a once in five years great weather, I hope we’ll have the same 5 years from now, and that I’m here to see it.

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/4.8
Exposure Bias	-0.67 eV
Focal Length	38mm (57mm)
Lens	Nikkor AF-S DX 16-85 f/3.5-5.6
ISO	200
Shutter Speed	1/1250
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro

Gay for a day

 

Once again Amsterdam is the center of the #gay world with its amazing boat parade, this year the 20th time on the #Amsterdam canals. I was originally invited to a boat, not a cruising one but one that was docked nearly at the end of the #parade. After roaming around for hours, looking at beautiful people in fancy boats, I’ve finally got to the spot and realised that it was impossible to get onto any boat, docked or not, didn’t matter. I’ve stayed on land and was trying to get an acceptable spot to view the finish. You can see that even after 5 hours of cruising, these party people are still full of stamina, not unlike the crowd, including me.

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/5.3
Exposure Bias	-0.33 eV
Focal Length	120mm (180mm)
Lens	Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200 f/3.5-5.6
ISO	400
Shutter Speed	1/640
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro

Art Zuid

 

If you are in #Amsterdam this summer, don’t forget to visit #ArtZuid, the famous open air art exhibition south of the equally famous #Vondelpark. You can see some nice art there, like this Hercules by #MarkusLüpertz.

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/22
Exposure Bias	-0.33 eV
Focal Length	35mm (52mm)
Lens	Nikkor AF-S DX 35 f/1.8
ISO	100
Shutter Speed	1/60
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro

King’s Day 2015

An open air #hairdresser on Amsterdam’s #Prinsengracht canal, at the time of the usual celebration at #KingsDay (formerly Queen’s day, the gender change happened last year).

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/3.2
Exposure Bias	-0.33 eV
Focal Length	35mm (52mm)
Lens	Nikkor AF-S DX 35 f/1.8
ISO	400
Shutter Speed	1/640
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro

Anniversary spring post

Been three years since I’ve started this #photoblog, and while I was planning to post much more often at the time I started it than I actually did in these years, I didn’t lose my appetite and planning to maintain it for the next three years too. :) For this nice anniversary, here is a shot I’ve done last year the exact same time (around #Kingsday in #Amsterdam). It’s all about #spring and how this city maintains it’s green spaces regardless of the lack of sunshine it gets compared to southern cities. Still amazes me after all these years.

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/2.2
Exposure Bias	0.0 eV
Focal Length	35mm (52mm)
Lens	Nikkor AF-S DX 35 f/1.8
ISO	200
Shutter Speed	1/800
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro

It’s pillow fight day again

The traditional bonanza of the Amsterdam pillow fight day was here again on the 4th of April, if you missed it, make sure you prepare your pillows for next year. When it comes to photography, it’s quite a perfect setting. Lots of people, action, no need to ask for permissions. Just make sure you are as close as you can! #amsterdam #pillowfight #citylife

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/2.5
Exposure Bias	-0.33 eV
Focal Length	35mm (52mm)
Lens	Nikkor AF-S DX 35 f/1.8
ISO	200
Shutter Speed	1/1250
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro

The last winter shot, promise

Winter is almost over in #Amsterdam, it’s good to think back the best moments before spring takes over and we all forget about the cold days. This one is still from the Amsterdam Lights Festival, the art piece is called #Effervescence. It’s also a #HDR shot, a beautiful technique that I rarely use but should do it more often.

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/16
Exposure Bias	HDR
Focal Length	18mm (27mm)
Lens	Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200 f/3.5-5.6
ISO	200
Shutter Speed	5s, 25s
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro

Waiting for good weather

Northern countries value good weather much more than southern ones, where is it more common. At Amsterdam’s Artis Zoo, the restaurant leaves furniture outside even in the worst winter weather, in case there are some sunny hours in the coming days. #amsterdam #artis #longexposure #nightshot

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/10
Exposure Bias	-0.33 eV
Focal Length	62mm (93mm)
Lens	Nikkor AF-S DX 18-200 f/3.5-5.6
ISO	200
Shutter Speed	10s
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro

Veronika

Veronika is preparing Suzy, the horse to their exam at the Amsterdamse Manege. While I really like photographing kids, as they are less shy and more cheerful, low light conditions can make the shooting difficult. Moving slowly or standing still is not their forte, you need patience and persistence to catch the best moments. #amsterdam #portrait #indoors

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/2.5
Exposure Bias	-0.33 eV
Focal Length	35mm (52mm)
Lens	Nikkor AF-S DX 35 f/1.8
ISO	2000
Shutter Speed	1/20s
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro 6.3

Amsterdam Winter Nights

The Amsterdam Lights Festival was organised 2 years ago the 1st time and it seems it became a regular event for the cold, windy and humid Amsterdam winter nights. This year the weather is exceptionally windy with gusts over 50 km/h, making the photographer's job tougher when walking, as well as when shooting. I usually only carry a travel tripod that is relatively light and durable, but of course it is more prone to be blown away by the wind. This was a good excuse to try HDR, a digital technology that blends several shots of the same subject into one, hopefully taking the best out of all.

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/16
Exposure Bias	-1.33 eV, +1.33 eV (HDR)
Focal Length	18mm (27mm)
Lens	Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO	200
Shutter Speed	2s, 25 s
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro 6.3

The wind of Holland

I've always wanted to try long exposure under daylight, to capture the clouds moving above a static landscape. For this you need overcast weather with relatively strong wind (otherwise the bastard clouds don't move...), as well as a neutral density (ND) filter, to darken the pupil of the lens, thus make you capable of shooting long exposure. At this shot at the Nieuwe Meer I had to hold the tripod with my hands to keep it steady, as the wind was so strong. I was in the south west of Amsterdam, close to Schiphol (the Airport) in a pretty remote area that is not visited in winter times other than locals and runners. Beautiful but harsh surroundings.

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/22
Exposure Bias	-0.33 eV
Focal Length	28mm (42mm)
Lens	Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO	200
Shutter Speed	25 s (with ND filter)
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro 6.3

Urban Christmas

This is how Christmas is approaching Amsterdam in 2013. Yes, I've shot this last year in the 9 streets but never have published it before. It was, just like now the time of the Light Festival and however there is nothing in relation to the festival on this photo, i was roaming around town in gloves to capture the pieces of the festival, so it still has some relation to it. I was always amazed by nature photographers being able to spend entire nights in the wilderness only to capture animals, with these walks i pay tribute to all the serious photographers who are willing to freeze their butts for the profession. :) Merry Christmas everyone, check out the blog during the break, I will have new stuff! #Amsterdamwinter #9straatjes #christmas #longexposure

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/13
Exposure Bias	-0.33 eV
Focal Length	14mm (21mm)
Lens	Sigma 10-20 mm f/4.0-5.6
ISO	200
Shutter Speed	10 s
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro 6.3

Vroem-vroem

Holland in general but Amsterdam especially is full of people with unusual hobbies. Just by walking around in the city, you bump into demonstrations, street performances or - as in this case - retro-scooter (Velosolex) lovers. The only thing you need is your camera standing by.

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/2.2
Exposure Bias	-0.67 eV
Focal Length	170mm (255mm)
Lens	Nikkor 18-200 mm f/3.5-5.6
ISO	400
Shutter Speed	1/40 s
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro 6.3

Halloween Special

Halloween is a photographer bonanza in Amsterdam. People here like to dress up and they put a lot of emphasis on the outfit (much less on the performance...). I usually don't carry my camera around as I have a tendency to drink heavily on this holiday, but this time I took an exception and it was worth it. Since it is mostly people and costumes you photograph and mainly under artificial light, there is not much equipment you need apart from portrait lens with high aperture. And steady hands... #halloween #amsterdam #partyphoto

 

Camera	Nikon D90
Aperture	f/2.2
Exposure Bias	-0.33 eV
Focal Length	35mm (52mm)
Lens	Nikon Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8
ISO	1600
Shutter Speed	1/30 s
Post Processing	ACDSee Pro 6.3