Markthal Rotterdam

A building that offers itself as the subject

The Markthal in Rotterdam is one of the most photographed buildings in the Netherlands, and for good reason. The horseshoe-shaped arch that forms the building draws your eye inward immediately. Not towards the market stalls on the ground floor, but upward. The ceiling is an explosion of color across more than 4,000 square meters of artwork. Flowers, insects, fruits and seeds in vivid, saturated colors. Artist Arno Coenen called it the 'Horn of Plenty'.

If you walk in here for the first time, you will probably do what everyone does: tilt your head back and raise your camera. That is the obvious shot. But the more interesting images are in the details. Look for compositions where you use the ceiling as a backdrop for people who are simply going about their shopping. The scale between person and building is enormous, and that creates tension.

Light and timing

The Markthal has large glass facades at both ends. Early in the morning, when the sun is low and coming in from the east, you get warm streaks of light across the floor. That is my preferred time. Later in the day it gets busier and the light becomes flatter. At weekends it fills up quickly, making it difficult to work with any patience.

The hall is covered, so the weather barely matters. Outside it is a different story: the street-facing facade lends itself well to abstract architectural photography, especially on overcast days when there are no harsh shadows.

Focal length and position

Inside, an ultra-wide angle works well, think 16 or 18mm on full frame, to capture the full arch. Watch for distortion at the edges. For street-style images among the stalls, a 35mm or 50mm is perfectly adequate. There is enough light for ISO 800 without trouble, especially with modern sensors. A tripod is awkward in practice given the crowds, and the usual rule applies here too: make sure you are not getting in anyone's way.

Practical

The Markthal is on the Dominee Jan Scharpstraat, just next to Blaak station. The easiest place to park is in the parking lot beneath the building itself. Photography for personal use and editorial purposes is freely permitted. Commercial shoots require agreement with the building management. The hall is open daily, but check the current opening times on the official website.

Sources and further reading

• Markthal Rotterdam (officieel)
• Gemeente Rotterdam over de Markthal
• Wikipedia: Markthal Rotterdam