Hello dear reader!
This week’s issue is all about Amsterdam at the end of summer. I’ll share photos I took between June and August, along with reflections on the city, its light, and a few photographer recommendations.
In this issue:
- Summer in Amsterdam
- Photographies from summer 2025
- Amsterdam-based photographers
I’m writing this issue still enjoying some nice weather on the balcony. But the days —here in the northern hemisphere—are getting shorter, and the air is starting to have that crisp coolness particular to autumn. Summer has slipped away.
Early summer colors. Amsterdam. 2025
Growing up, I loved summer: spending time playing around, going to the beach with my grandparents, and enjoying a break from school. Over the years, I started traveling in the summer, spending it with friends, and discovering new places. Now I enjoy it in a different way, I have adopted the European mindset of taking a break, disconnecting from work, and resting.
Street Photography in Amsterdam During Summer
Shadows and light. Amsterdam. 2025
Summer in Amsterdam is special. In a city that rains on average 186 days per year, summer offers a window of good weather to enjoy the city, to go to the parks and sunbathe. The moment the sun comes out, is the perfect time to pick up the grill and go to the park to make a BBQ. It is also the perfect time to photograph the city in a different light.
With the good weather, the city transforms. It gets full of life, and it’s a playground for any street photographer. Amsterdam comes to life. Boats start sailing through the canals, terraces overflow with people, and on the rare days with temperature above 30°C some canals became the perfect spot for a swim. The entire rhythm of the city shifts outdoors, giving the streets a different pulse worth documenting.
Light and Atmosphere in Amsterdam
Summer light over Amsterdam hits different. It’s unique. With golden hours stretching late into the evening, and light bouncing in the canals, windows, and even bicycles. Renting a boat is a great way to explore the city and make most out of the good weather: it offers a different perspective of the city, the closeness with the water, and seeing how the city turns itself over the open space.
Sail Amsterdam. 2025
Street photography is often about noticing transitions. Instants. Photographing Amsterdam in summer offers a possibility to experience those transitions, not only on the joy and warmth of the season, also on the daily life of the city. From rush hours at the begging of the summer, to the calm of daily life and enjoyment during the peak of the season, tourism rush, and the return of commuters and rush hours at the end. It’s a season that has seasonality within it. A rhythm of its own.
Amsterdam. 2025
As summer fades, I look forward to the special light of autumn and the change of colors.
Amsterdam based photographers recommendations
Since this issue is about Amsterdam, and because I recently wrote about building community, I thought I’d start recommending fellow photographers. From now on, I’ll add some suggestions to the newsletter.
This week recommendations starts with Julie Hrudová, her photography captures everyday life in a playful way, there the city is the perfect backdrop for the different subjects and scenes she captures. Roger Janssen has a special way to see and capture the city, he is a master of light. And speaking of masters of light, Natasja Cvetkovic combines light, architecture and daily life to create stunning urban images. Last but not least, Wesley Verhoeve, he is a portrait specialist that captures the inhabitants of the cities as well as details that he notices on his walks.
That’s it for today! If you enjoyed this issue, share it with a friend! Know someone visiting Amsterdam? Send it their way, it might inspire them too.
Luis
