Instead of ..., a photo from Noord-Holland, South

Photographer's Note

I do not remember exactly where I saw this funny pub, but it was only one minute from the Old Church and it means, it was in the Red Light District. So instead of a sexy woman making her twists and turns in the window (it is stricly prohibited to make photos there) here is this boy going out of the bar. I found it amazing that the church is all surrounded by sex business. Impossible in Poland. On the other side of the church was a mini museum "Historische Bordeelkamer" but my Museum Card was not valid for it :) (and I saved 15 euro). I found the area interesting and nice. Nothing to be afraid of even if I was walking there alone with a camera. In the Old Church I saw very interesting photo exhibition "World Press photo". I knew some photos from Internet but it is other impression to look at the big prints.

Amsterdam guidebook:
The Rossebuurt (Dutch for ‘pink’ or ‘red’ neighbourhood) is in fact one of the oldest and most beautiful parts of the city with its long winding narrow, cobbled streets and utterly charming 14th century architecture, such as the Gothic Oude Kerk, or Old Church. The Red Light District simply oozes charm and one cannot help but admire the old buildings that lean at odd-angles, and the tree-enshrouded canals. Music, especially during the summer season, invites you to linger just that little bit longer while the arrival of new classier eateries and great authentic restaurants such as Café Pacifico, one of Europe 's first Mexican restaurants, make it so appealing. Recently resurfaced streets, restored facades and trendier clientele to the area are now transforming what was once a dark and seedy part of town.

Amsterdam prides itself, and rightly so, on its wholly liberal and tolerant attitude, embracing the fact that people may be into prostitution, soft drugs and pornography-and this is only human. So instead of criminalizing everything, this very upfront city wears its heart on its sleeve-what you see is generally what you get. Enjoy the honesty of it all, as you won’t find it anywhere else.

joso, Budapestman, jhm, holmertz, Sonata11, RhodieIke, jlbrthnn, annjackman, paololg, macjake, baddori has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

joso (2405) 2012-05-07 1:02

yes, this is Amsterdam for me - colourful, like a mosaic...
well seen, thanks for sharing

ChrisJ (86818) 2012-05-07 1:05

Hi Emka

It sort of reminds me of when people were gossiping about Jesus talking to Mary Magdelene, WHAT is Jesus doing talking with THAT woman? & he replied something along the lines that a doctor visits the sick, not those who are well. So perhaps that is the rationale here for a church in middle of the red light district. Many of these woman have serious social & drug problems & need support. Tfs! Good photojournalism shot with excellent colour & sharpness.

LOOOK13 (19022) 2012-05-07 1:38

Salut.
On peut dire qu'il y a de la couleur!
Une belle réussite et un sacré coup d'oeil.
Bravo.

jjcordier (62280) 2012-05-07 2:00

Malgorzata
On s'amuse à essayer de repérer le bouledogue dans ces nombreuses illustrations (mosaïques?) très colorées. Cette façade attire le regard des photographes et peut-être des clients. Bon cadrage.
Amicalement
JJ

Budapestman (82620) 2012-05-07 2:00

Hi Malgorzata,
what a rich spectacle...this is a superb photo from this interesting place and I like the vibrant colours and the splendid details, superb shot, Tfs! Have a nice week! Kellemes hetet kívánok!
György

krzychu30 (8817) 2012-05-07 2:08

Witaj Malgorzato,
znakomita fotka oddajaca swietnie charakter i atmosfere Amsterdamu.Co prawda architektura jest tu zupelnie inna od tej znanej z szeregowych domow w centrum miasta,ale oddaje znakomicie "luzny" charakter tego miasta.Bardzo ciekawe graffiti na fasadzie oraz super kolorystyka.
Pozdrawiam serdecznie
Krzysiek

jhm (122366) 2012-05-07 4:28

Witaj Malgo,

Amsterdam a very specially city with thousend bridges but also also of these specially pubs.
Your picture and note speak volumes
Composition and presentation are nice.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice week,
John.

Sergiom (39148) 2012-05-07 4:51

Bonjour Malgorzata,

Une belle scène très colorée de la vie quotidienne de ce quartier d'Amsterdam. On se demande bien ce qu'ils peuvent vendre dans cette boutique.

Amicalement

Serge

holmertz (26900) 2012-05-07 11:52

Hello Malgorzata,
This has to be one of your most colourful pictures ever on TE - and you have been to India! From this distance it looks very charming, and the man is very well placed. But the last time I was in Amsterdam I didn't really find much charm among prostitution and drugs problems. I found it mainly depressing. Or maybe I'm just too Swedish. An area like this would be totally impossible in Stockholm.
But full marks to the photo.
Gert

chandrapranil (979) 2012-05-07 14:35

Hi Malgorzata,

Love the colours you have captured. Your framing and timing is also very good - with the guy in the frame there is great perspective.

Thank you for sharing

Pranil

Sonata11 (28273) 2012-05-07 18:22

Witaj Malgorzato,
wspaniale bardzo kolorowe zdjecie oddajace atmosfere Amsterdamu. Fajnie wykonane i wypatrzone. Super kolorystyka i wspanile obramowanie. Podoba mi sie wykonanie. Super praca.
Serdecznie pozdrawiam,
Barbara

RhodieIke (9207) 2012-05-07 23:51

Hi Malgo, You made me smile thinking about you with your camera out in the red light district of Amsterdam. It is a weird place cause as you say the den windows(with the lady's in) are right next to a school or overlooking the church. Very colourful image, well managed and presented. Cheers Iain.

jlbrthnn (79773) 2012-05-08 3:22

Hello Malgorzata,
This is a picture psychedelic, with shapes and colors to suit. The composition of this strange scene is interesting. The light, colors and sharpness are excellent. Bravo.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

annjackman (13183) 2012-05-08 7:41

Hi Malgo,
A very fine note accompanies this image. I like the colours that you have captured so well and the way that you pressed the shutter just at the right moment and caught the man coming out. A super 'slice of life' image. Very well done.
Kind Regards, Ann

ikeharel (37254) 2012-05-08 7:58

Good evening Malgo,
A vivid colors on the wall painting decorating the facade.
The man stand on the doorstep of the "Bulldog" pub, conveys a hint...
Nice taken and managed light's.
Ike

paololg (31442) 2012-05-08 14:07

Ciao cara Malgo,
a colorful picture of Amsterdam, accompanied by interesting notes that clearly explain the typical places of this beautiful city and its way of life. An unusual and curious photo, but also spontaneous and natural, a pleasant testimony of daily life on the streets of Amsterdam. BRAVA!
Ciao, have a nice Wednesday!
Paolo

macjake (39207) 2012-05-09 9:17

Hi Malgo
love the Bulldog!
great scene.
very visual, and also an interesting read in your note.
funny comment about the churches next to all the sex shops!
love the scene, love the story.
cheers
craig

baddori (18988) 2012-05-09 22:51

Malgo
Grande viaggiatrice, e scrittrice alla "Conrad"
Carattere estroverso e poliglotta.
Questa foto, come molte della tua gallery ...raccolgono momenti "inediti" e preziosi.
GF