EYE Filmmuseum

A building that asks to be photographed

EYE Filmmuseum stands on the north bank of the IJ, directly opposite Amsterdam Centraal. The building was designed by Delugan Meissl Associated Architects and opened in 2012. Its white, sculptural form seems almost to float above the water. Sharp angles, cantilevered planes and a skin that appears to shift colour with the light. For architectural photography, this is one of the most rewarding locations in the Netherlands.

Why the blue hour works so well here

The building is lit from within as soon as it gets dark. That warm yellow against the cool blue tones of dusk gives you a colour contrast you simply cannot get during the day. The IJ reflects the light of the city on the opposite bank, and when the water is calm you get a perfect mirror image of EYE in your frame. Arrive half an hour before sunset so you can follow the transition from daylight to blue hour at your own pace. Those are often the best twenty minutes.

Compositions and focal lengths

With a wide angle, around 16 to 24mm, you can capture the entire facade and emphasise the dynamic lines of the building. Get low for the reflection in the stone floor near the entrance: it works even when the water on the IJ is too restless. A longer focal length, around 70 to 135mm, brings out the more abstract details: the cantilevered edges, the texture of the facade, the interplay with the sky. Experiment with positions along the waterfront to the left and right of the main entrance.

Practical

The easiest way to get there is by the free ferry from Amsterdam Centraal, pontoon 2 or 3. The crossing takes a few minutes. There is no car park directly at EYE. Photography outside on the promenade is freely accessible. In good weather and at weekends the area is busier, but that also opens up opportunities for street photography with the building as a backdrop. In winter the evenings are long and the chances of calm water are greater than in summer.

Sources and further reading

• EYE Filmmuseum – officiële website
• Delugan Meissl Associated Architects – EYE projectpagina
• GVB Amsterdam – pont en OV-informatie
• Wikipedia – EYE Filmmuseum