Amsterdam’s Hidden Canals Beyond the Red Light District
A Quiet Morning Photowalk with Lomo 100 Film
Most of the year, Amsterdam has an autumnal atmosphere, so I have no shame in being overly excited when the sun finally comes out. This summer, a string of heatwaves was the perfect chance to try out a new (to me) low ISO film stock, the best kind of film for a bright, sunny day. We got up super early to beat the heat (and the crowds) and set out to wander the east side of Amsterdam's historic center with my Rolleiflex and a fresh roll of Lomo 100 film.
Along my walk, I photographed some of Amsterdam's quiet streets and met a few locals, including a guy with his 42-year-old parrot. During the height of summer, clusters of red, pink and yellow roses bloomed steadily, adding a lovely fragrance to the colorful sidewalk gardens. Nature’s perfume floated through the air, and I couldn’t help myself from stopping to take a whiff of floral delight.
The Groenburgwal: One of Amsterdam's Most Picturesque Canals
The Zuiderkerk's bells chimed in the distance as morning sun peeked through the trees, casting a green reflection on the water. The Rolleiflex 2.8F's waist-level viewfinder lets me look down into the canal scene for a glimpse of the light on the water's surface. This canal is one of my favorite Amsterdam scenes to photograph and it's especially lovely in the morning when facing east from the Staalmeestersbrug.
Of course, I’m not alone in loving this view. Monet also painted the scene about 150 years ago, and it's a favorite for locals and visitors alike. When passing through this area I love to bike over the little white bridge even if it means dinging my bell constantly at the tourists. Perhaps its tiny size is part of why Groenburgwal is one of Amsterdam's most tranquil and beloved canals in the old center. It's only two blocks long, and the view from the other side is almost just as dreamy.
Beyond the Red Light District: Hidden Canals Near Nieuwmarkt
Further along, we entered the neighborhood around Nieuwmarkt and the Red Light District, which has a reputation for being wild and touristy (true), but if you know where to wander, you can find some really special views. Tucked away along quiet streets near the Kloveniersburgwal and Oudeschans is a small chain of canals lined with trees, small bridges and historic residences that step you back in time. This is an area most tourists skip so if you do visit, please remember to be quiet and mindful of the residents going about their daily lives.
