Tag Archives: boats

Bicycles and Canal, Rainy Evening

Bicycles and Canal, Rainy Evening
Bicycles locked to a bridge railing above an Amsterdam canal on a rainy evening

Bicycles and Canal, Rainy Evening. © Copyright 2018 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Bicycles locked to a bridge railing above an Amsterdam canal on a rainy evening

If I remember correctly — and I’m pretty sure I do in this case — I made this photograph late on our first day in Amsterdam this past summer. We had arrived by train from London that afternoon, made our way to our hotel just outside the main “downtown” section of the city, settled in, and then headed on foot into the city to start exploring. For some reason I had expected sunny and somewhat warm weather — which had recently been the trend in northern Europe — but we certainly did not have that when we arrived!

This first late afternoon exploration was quick. It began with a stop at just about the first decent-looking restaurant we ran across, since we were pretty hungry by this point. We finished, went outside, and began walking. It was a dark and drizzly evening, which produced a subdued and moody effect. I made this photograph — obviously! — as we walked on a bridge across one of the canals, finding bicycles leaning against the railings.


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G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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Amstel Canal

Amstel Canal
Boats along the Amstel Canal, Amsterdam

Amstel Canal. © Copyright 2018 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Boats along the Amstel Canal, Amsterdam

We had clouds — and occasional rain — during a good part of our August visit to Amsterdam. This being our first time in that city, I did not really know what sort of weather to expect, and stories of unusually warm northern European weather had me expecting something different. I mentioned this to some natives we ate with at a brewery one rainy evening, and they sort of laughed, explaining that “seeing the blue sky is somewhat unusual” in Amsterdam. I guess we were lucky then, since we actually did see some blue sky later.

Amsterdam is pretty much as you probably imagine it if you have read about the place. There are, obviously, those canals, with provide one of the many layers of transportation in parts of the city. (Other elements include many walkers, many cyclists, some drivers, public transit, and so on.) We had gotten to this location in the city by boat, if I recall correctly, but then set out on foot to explore a bit. I made the photograph not far from the opera house, on a bridge crossing the canal.


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G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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Canal Boats, Amsterdam

Canal Boats, Amsterdam
Scene along one of Amsterdam’s larger canals

Canal Boats, Amsterdam. © Copyright 2018 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Scene along one of Amsterdam’s larger canals

In contrast to the last photograph of an Amsterdam canal that I posted yesterday (that one was more intimate and included lots of trees) this canal is closer to the center of the city and is not as much softened by trees and so forth. Here the water is much wider and larger boats can pass. In fact, a number of tour boats are moored along the right side and in the center of the frame.

Aside from the curve of the canal and the ubiquitous boats, it was the light that caught my attention here. The buildings at the right are more or less front-lit by the late day sun, while in the distance dark clouds are about to bring rain. A single smaller boat heads up the canal at the far left.


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G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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Canal, Trees, Moored Boats

Canal, Trees, Moored Boats
Amsterdam canal and reflections of trees and moored boats

Canal, Trees, Moored Boats. © Copyright 2018 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Amsterdam canal and reflections of trees and moored boats

It was evening when I made this photograph, and the appearance suggests a calmer atmosphere. Amsterdam, at least during our visit, was a very busy, crowded, and sometimes loud place. (The crowds on our last evening there were astounding… and it was a Sunday night!) In fact, while this scene was a bit quieter than some, it probably looks more still and quiet in the photograph than was actually the case.

This is one of the typical scenes in this city and one that probably attracts tourists. There’s actually a lot to see here. Obviously the canal runs straight off into the distance, and the overhanging trees provide shade and color and a reflection in the water. Boats are moored along the banks, and above them cars and bicycles are parked close to the water. Beyond them there are streets and walkways and even places to stop and eat.


See top of this page for Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information and more.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.