Amsterdam Begijnhof

A quiet courtyard in the heart of the city

The Begijnhof in Amsterdam is one of those places where you briefly forget you are standing in one of the busiest cities in Europe. A enclosed inner courtyard, surrounded by seventeenth and eighteenth-century facades, with a lawn in the middle and a chapel that anchors the space. It feels historical without feeling like a museum. That is what makes it interesting to photograph.

What makes the location special for photographers is the contrast: outside the gate, the bustle of the Kalverstraat; inside, the quiet of a courtyard that has barely changed. You can use that contrast visually, for instance by framing the gateway itself with the courtyard as the background.

Light and timing

Early in the morning works best. The courtyard is empty or nearly so, and the light falls soft and low across the facades. Later in the day there are many tourists, which can be interesting for street photography, but for architecture it becomes busy and cluttered. In winter the low sun is still favourable in the morning and reaches deep into the courtyard. Summer gives you longer light, but also more people.

The Begijnhof is photogenic throughout the year. Autumn brings some colour through the trees in the courtyard. In winter, especially after a night of frost or fog, the place takes on an almost deserted quality that adds considerably to the atmosphere.

Compositions and focal lengths

A moderate telephoto, somewhere between 50mm and 85mm (full-frame equivalent), works well for flattening facades and isolating details. Wide angle is possible too, but watch for distortion on the facades. The timber facade of the Houten Huys, one of the oldest wooden houses in Amsterdam, is always a good starting point. The chapel, the gateways and the detailing on the facades give you enough material for a varied set of images.

Practical

The Begijnhof is free to enter, but it is not a tourist attraction in the conventional sense. People still live here. Bear that in mind. Photograph quietly and respectfully, and avoid flash or conspicuous behaviour. The courtyard has fixed opening hours, generally from nine in the morning until five in the afternoon, but check this in advance. For parking, the surrounding car parks are your easiest option, as the city centre is largely car-free.

Sources and further reading

• Begijnhof Amsterdam (officiële site)
• Monumenten Amsterdam: Begijnhof
• Wikipedia: Begijnhof Amsterdam