Amsterdam - The City of Canals

A time loop captured on a Fuji non 18-55mm lens with FujiFilm X-E4

Summer days seem like a long party that everyone refuses to leave. The after-party that follows is one never-ending Gatsby event. The canals of Amsterdam have charmed folks for many generations. The mornings by the channel bring a sense of calm and anticipation, while the evenings under the simmering yellow streetlights intoxicate those who dare to indulge. I was there to do exactly that, Indulge. Under the warm summer sky, lit by streetlamp,s all I wanted to do was breathe in the ambience and make memories with my camera, the adored and portable FujiFilm X-E4.

The gateway to a good time. The epicentre of fun in Northwestern Europe. It makes for a picturesque entry into this popular tourist destination. The port is visibly the highlight, and the rush of people immediately grabs my attention and puts me in alert mode. I needed an inspiration. I felt I was at the right place as soon as I stepped out of the Centraal Station.

The land borrowed from the sea. It is much evident in Amsterdam’s canal life, the boat houses, the countless bridges, and of course, the bicycles. The city has around 165 canals forming a half circle around the city. I fancied a stroll in one of the boats but decided against it. I needed the walk. I needed to take in some scenery, and the vibe that this place is famous for around the world. If boating in the canal is an immersive experience, the walk around the canals and by the bridges is an intrusive experience into the life of a local. The houses by the water are inviting, people are content, and the cheer is infectious. I wanted to unwind, needed to unwind, and I found just the right spot to escape.

There are weeks that flow by without even an ounce of self-realization. Weeks that keep you busy with an endless stream of work, work calls, and deadlines. The mind & body crave an escape. Travel and photography are my escape from hyper-reality. The lens XF18-55mm was on its first outing and in an ideal place, too. The beautiful scenery of people pedalling along in high spirits across the narrow roads and bridges. Most of them always have a tinge of a smile on their faces. It brought a smile to me, too. The escape was well and truly afoot. The summer breeze was guiding me with good intentions. The stroll by the canal got me past some locals enjoying their evening feast. A feast well matched with a cloud of cigarette smoke and light surf rock music playing from tiny Bluetooth speakers. As I continued to stroll, there were neighbours enjoying glasses of wine and strumming the guitar sitting right outside their building, and by the canal, their feet hung from the edge. The whole scene felt like a Wes Anderson movie. I decided to walk from one canal bridge to another and circle back. The view brought me back. Sunset kept me there. Finally, when the sun decided to call it a day and painted the whole scene orange, my camera obliged. My mind was at ease, and I got lost in the lens and the landscape. The mood was set, and it was time to bask in the glory of an evening by the Amsterdam Canals. The beer tasted better.

If there was ever a moment to be happy and content, it might as well be in a joyous moment of self-reflection. The beautiful city of Amsterdam has traditional and modern cultures perfectly amalgamating into a self-aware lifestyle. As for me, the exploration had just begun, of the city and my own, with a trusted company always by my side, capturing all the memories.