Utrecht Domtoren en gracht

Why the Domtoren and Oudegracht work for photographers

Utrecht has a lot to offer, but the combination of the Domtoren and the Oudegracht is something special. At 112 metres, the tower is the tallest church tower in the Netherlands, and you feel that in your frame. It dominates. At the same time, the Oudegracht with its wharf cellars and brick arches gives you a ground level you rarely find anywhere else. Two storeys below street level, you photograph everyday life while the city carries on above you.

The wharf cellars are now mostly in use as cafés or restaurants. That brings people, movement and light, even at quiet moments. For street photography, that is invaluable. There is almost always something to follow.

Light and timing

The blue hour works very well here. Just before sunrise or just after sunset, the sky above the Domtoren turns deep blue while the street lamps and terrace lights are already on. That mix of artificial light and daylight is exactly what you want for atmospheric architectural shots. Bring a tripod for shutter speeds of half a second or longer, and you will also get motion blur in people or water.

During the day, the light in the narrow alleyways around the Domplein quickly becomes harsh and contrasty. Overcast weather works better then. In winter, when the trees are bare, you have a clearer view of the spire from the canal. In summer there is more foliage, but the terraces are busier too, which benefits the street photography.

Compositions and focal lengths

Head to the Domplein itself for wide-angle shots where the tower almost escapes the frame due to its height. A focal length of around 16 to 24mm adds tension to that kind of shot. If you want to show the tower in proportion with the city, you are better off shooting from the Oudegracht towards the Viebrug or Bakkerbrug, from a greater distance. A 50mm or 85mm brings the canal houses and the tower closer together.

Reflections in the canal water are strong when there is little wind, early in the morning. The streets are quiet then too, which for street photography is sometimes an advantage and sometimes not.

Practical

The easiest way to park is in one of the car parks outside the inner ring road, such as Vredenburg or Paardenveld, from where you can walk there in ten minutes. By bike or train it is even simpler, Utrecht Centraal is fifteen minutes on foot. No permit is required for photography in public spaces. The Domtoren itself can be climbed on a guided tour, giving you a view across the whole city. It is not a standard photo location, but it is worth it for an overview shot of Utrecht.

Sources and further reading

• Domtoren Utrecht (officieel)
• Gemeente Utrecht, Oudegracht
• Rijksmonumentenregister, Domtoren
• Wikipedia, Domtoren