Spring Cherry Blossoms: A Film Photography Guide
In my latest YouTube video, I bring y’all along on a springtime analog adventure through Bloesempark in Amsterdamse Bos. Home to 400 sakura trees, it’s one of the best places to see cherry blossoms in Amsterdam. Join me for a peaceful escape into one of the city’s most beloved spring spots while I share a behind-the-scenes look at my film photography process using my Rolleiflex.
Cherry blossoms only last a few weeks, and their fleeting nature is part of what makes them so special. I love photographing ephemeral, natural moments like this, especially on film. It feels like a quiet act of honoring the present.
Chasing Cherry Blossoms in Amsterdam
Just a 30-minute bike ride from the city center, Bloesempark offers a calm escape from the city’s buzz. Each spring, this Japanese cherry blossom park transforms into a sea of soft pink petals as 400 sakura trees bloom all at once.
Despite the weekend crowds, Bloesempark is truly a magical place for nature photography. A soft tunnel of light filters through the branches, creating beautiful shifting patterns throughout the day. While walking through the park, I found myself thinking about hanami (花見)—the Japanese tradition of cherry blossom viewing that dates back over a thousand years.
Once an aristocratic ritual, hanami has become a beloved springtime celebration across Japan, its’s like the ultimate picnic party under pink petals. In my Japanese Garden video, I explore other Japanese concepts that embrace impermanence: the fleeting blossoms mirroring the transience of life. Capturing them on film felt like holding onto something that’s naturally meant to pass.
Even here in Amsterdam, this tradition reminds me to slow down, stay present, and appreciate beauty in its briefest forms. It’s a mindset that pairs beautifully with the slower pace of film photography.
Shooting Sakura with the Rolleiflex
I was drawn to asymmetrical compositions—a single branch stretching across the sky or layers of blossoms above me. The square format of the Rolleiflex encouraged a more intuitive approach to balance and space. Some branches appeared completely still, while others danced in the breeze.
Next time, I’d love to try a few longer exposures to capture that subtle motion and tell a deeper story of the trees.
The Vibrant Look of Lomo 400 Film
For this analog adventure, I loaded my Rolleiflex 2.8F with Lomography Lomo 400—my first time shooting this film stock. I’m mostly happy with the results! There’s something lovely about how Lomo 400 handles color, it feels distinctly spring-like. The colors are rich without being too wild, and the tones have a slightly retro vibe that makes some shots feel cinematic. It’s a great balance between reality and how our memories enhance vivid moments.
That said, there were a few downsides to Lomo 400. Something funky happened with this roll, and I only ended up with 10 frames (instead of the usual 12). I think it was a fluke issue (fingers crossed), because the next roll was fine but that one did have some subtle light leaks along the right edge.
Later, I learned that Lomo 400 is known for being a “fat roll,” meaning the edges can come out a little loose and prone to leaks. Kind of a bummer, especially considering how pricey medium format film has become!
Practical Film Photography Tips for Springtime Light
Spring in Amsterdam is notoriously unpredictable. On this particular shoot, I experienced everything from warm golden light to overcast skies. Here are a few tips I used to adapt my film photography to the shifting natural light:
Embrace overcast softness: While sunny days bring contrast and shadows, cloudy skies can enhance the pastel tones of cherry blossoms and create a soft, dreamy look.
Meter for the shadows: When light shifts quickly, I meter for the shadows to keep detail in lower-light areas—especially helpful under dense blossom canopies.
Adjust your angles: I shot a lot by looking up into the trees. On bright days, I try to avoid shooting directly into harsh light (unless I want a sun flare). Side light or backlighting through the petals often creates a beautiful glow.
Be patient and observe: Working with natural light requires adapting to changing conditions throughout the day. Film rewards patience, whether that’s waiting for light to break from a passing cloud or for a fuzzy bee to land on a flower, but usually, the perfect moment is worth the wait.
Tips for Visiting
I recommend visiting Amsterdam’s Bloesempark at sunrise or around golden hour for a more chill experience. If possible, go during the week. You’ll see in my video that weekends can be pretty chaotic… kids screaming and chasing each other, dogs running wild, and lots of folks lined up for selfies beneath the blossoms. In situations like that, I get lost watching the scenery through my viewfinder, and the noisy world melts away.
A week or so later, I returned to the Sakura garden, this time in the late afternoon, to enjoy golden hour. By then, the blossoms had peaked and drifted down like soft pink snow... it was truly magical!
How do you capture fleeting beauty in your photography? I'd love to hear how inspires your creative process—drop a comment or share your thoughts with me on Instagram.
