NDSM-werf

A yard that never stands still

The NDSM-werf in Amsterdam-Noord was once one of the largest shipyards in Europe. Today it is a creative hub where street art, rusty steel and tall warehouses come together. As a photographer, you move from one image to the next. The location is large enough to fill half a day, yet compact enough that you won't miss anything.

The industrial character has stayed intact. The A-loods with its rugged facade, the cranes along the IJ, the cobbled quays worn by decades of use: everything breathes history. At the same time, the yard is constantly changing. Murals come and go, new artists claim a wall, events move in and out. Every time you return, you see something different.

Light and composition

Morning light works well here. The sun rises in the east and catches the facade of the A-loods at a low angle. That brings out the texture in the concrete and rust, and pulls long shadows across the square. Later in the day the light is flatter, but there are often people around that you can work into your compositions.

On overcast days the colours of the street art come into their own. The contrasts are softer, and the murals stand out sharply without oversaturation. On locations like this I tend to use a focal length between 24mm and 50mm, depending on what I want to isolate. For the large facades and warehouses you want a wide angle. For portraits or details I prefer something a little longer.

Practical

You reach the NDSM-werf by taking the free ferry from Amsterdam Centraal. The ferry to NDSM departs from the western side of the IJ. During the day the site is freely accessible, though during events such as the IJ-hallen market it can get busy. Expect crowds on the square at those times. That can actually work well for street photography, but for quiet architectural shots a weekday morning outside of events is a better choice.

You can park along the Papaverweg, but the ferry is easier and cheaper. The site also looks out over the IJ itself, which makes for interesting shots when cargo ships or tour boats pass by.

Sources and further reading

• NDSM (officiële website)
• GVB pontverbinding Amsterdam
• Wikipedia: NDSM-werf