CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2012-07-09 18:04:23 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Look that's you. Your beautiful self

2012-06-19 20:43:52 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

2012-06-19 19:10:27 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 29 +1s)

Caught in the Mirror on Zeedijk

#dutchphotowalk, #dpw01 +Dutch Photo Walk 

2012-06-19 19:05:57 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 27 +1s)

Moving in... Amsterdam Style

#dutchphotowalk, #dpw01 +Dutch Photo Walk 

2012-06-19 10:36:14 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Wait for me...

As much as I like the shot with the thumbs up, this was my favourite shot of the two because of the way the cyclists are lined up. I also love the fact that the two guys upfront are smiling and totally at ease with having their pictures taken.

Now if you'll excuse me, I am dressed in orange and off to support de Mannen van Oranje in tonight's match "Hup Holland Hup" I know that its a long shot but I'd like to see them go through to the next round.

#dutchphotowalk, #dpw01 +Dutch Photo Walk 

2012-06-19 10:35:56 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Thumbs up

I really enjoyed meeting everyone who took part in today's Amsterdam photowalk and this guy certainly seemed to approve of having his photo taken.

Many thanks to  +Nikola Nikolski +Rogier Rood +Arwin Meijer for all the hard work they put in to making it a great success  #dutchphotowalk #dpw01 +Dutch Photo Walk 

2012-06-16 14:17:27 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Sunday 17-06 is almost there and this is last update about the walk till than.

Weather forecast for sunday is…. it will be dry! Ok its to early to be happy but when you look outside you will understand why we are so excited. 
http://www.weeronline.nl/Europa/Nederland/Amsterdam/4058223

We think this is the right time to explain how to post photo's after the walk so those will appear also here in album of +Dutch Photo Walk 

IMPORTANT: To make this work it is important you have us in the circle!!!!!

Day after walk and hereafter
You have a beautiful collection of photo's and like to share it with us and people you met this day. 
Here explanation of how the best way to do that but you have to follow next steps.

• Upload photo's to one of your albums;
• Tag those as you tag people inphoto'... more »

2012-06-15 14:13:23 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Albert Cuypstraat

Now maybe I am just a little bit biased but there is something quite fascinating about the light in Amsterdam - even when it's falling on the debris left behind after the market is cleared away.

2012-06-05 20:12:23 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

Uneven Surfaces

It really takes a lot to get Amsterdam cyclists to get off and push. This, however, is not enough.

2012-05-29 18:31:14 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

We (+Jo Garrett +Rogier Rood +Arwin Meijer and +Nikola Nikolski) have made progress in organizing #dutchphotowalk and we like to share that with you.
If this is the first time you read about #dutchphotowalk we organize read the post below also!

So whats new:

After several proposals on route we agreed that this is the route we will walk http://goo.gl/maps/SL1Z
It is an interesting route with ancient architecture, interesting people and many more.
Intention is that we take time to take pictures of course as a group but no obligations.
We have considered how to keep you up to date about this event and also in the future. We have designed a website Dutch Photo Walk https://plus.google.com/b/112900847777338036141/112900847777338036141/posts
If you like to follow latest developments circle us. We will circle you back and keep up you up to date about this... more »

2012-05-24 17:11:12 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

*Would you mind moving over...
...whilst we dredge the canal*

2012-05-17 18:55:43 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Queen's Day: Prinsengracht

Happily neither, me, my camera nor any of my friends fell in the canal but I did see a girl from a nearby boat take a dip - she was fine once her friends helped her back on board and it was a sunny day so I am sure she recovered pretty quickly.

Progress along the Prinsengracht was slow and the music from the boats blended together in to one big party. I think it is fair to say that everyone had a good time.

2012-05-17 14:47:53 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

I just want to let you know that I have decided to organize a #DutchPhotoWalk with some G+ friends so that you can put the date in your agenda.

The details of the walk are still being worked out but we have already fixed the city, which will be Amsterdam. We have some great ideas for the route and spots to see.

If you like the idea keep 17-June free and watch for more detailed information to follow soon.

Everyone is invited, it does not matter what camera you have to make your photos. it's about to have a nice day and maybe something learn from each other, no obligations.

Don't be scared to share this post with people you know ;-)

2012-05-09 18:32:52 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Queen's Day Market

The freemarket on Queen's day is not all about buying peoples cast offs, some people are out there selling some real treasure.

#koninginnedag #Jordaan #Amsterdam

2012-05-08 18:09:00 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Queen's Day Music Makers

If you have already sold all the stuff that you no longer need why not entertain instead.

#Koniginnedag #Jordaan #Amsterdam

2012-05-07 18:19:17 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Lemonade

I could not work out who was having more fun the adults or the kids. The two guys were yelling about fresh lemonade at the tops of their voices whilst the youngsters were far more concerned with production. I guess days like this bring back childhood memories.

#Koniginnedag, #Jordaan, #Amsterdam

2012-05-06 17:57:04 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Queen's Day Crowds

#koniginnedag #Jordaan, #Amsterdam

2012-05-04 17:52:36 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Queen's Day Crowds

Crowds on their way around the Freemarket in the Jordaan, Amterdam. Just take your time and don't attempt to rush anywhere in the centre of Amsterdam on Queen's Day.

#Koniginnedag

2012-05-04 13:40:33 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Vrijmarkt

This is the follow up shot to this shot https://plus.google.com/u/0/103855721758679327070/posts/dY4CX6k1yaZ

#koniginnedag

2012-05-04 13:33:25 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Bezet
In the run up to Koniginnedag (Queen's Day) people are marking out their territory for tomorrow's freemarket (The one day of the year when no permit is needed and when there is no revenue tax to pay on the proceeds).

How do you know who has claimed this spot? Well some just write 'bezet' (occupied) others write their name / business name and at 6am in the morning there is a trust system: You know whether you put down tape on a specific spot or not, don't you?

The 29th April is Koniginnenacht and a huge party in my neighbourhood which is blasted with live music from open-air stages (so close that if you stand between 2 stages you get caught in the musical cross-over). The neighbourhood parties until everyone drops which means that I have never been awake at 6am on Koninginnedag, so I cannot tell you how well this trust system works.

2012-05-03 18:43:39 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 25 +1s)

Otherwise Occupied

2012-04-25 18:21:41 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Raining in Pink

I was sheltering inside a shop door on Leidsestraat waiting for the rain to ease up. It turned out to be the ideal opportunity for a little street photography.

2012-04-17 18:35:54 (8 comments, 0 reshares, 34 +1s)

Rush Hour

Spiegelgracht, Amsterdam

2012-04-10 17:28:17 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Back seat driver

Another one of those shots where you have seconds to turn and capture the moment. This dog really did seem to want to get upfront and steer.

2012-04-07 19:24:03 (5 comments, 0 reshares, 24 +1s)

Long Load

Panning is one technique that I have yet to master so I was delighted to see that I had inadvertently managed to do so for a few seconds as I quickly turned to capture this guy.

2012-04-07 18:34:12 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

Friday afternoon snooze

Perhaps today was particularly hectic for this cat who was crashed out face down on this crate :)

#Caturday

2012-04-02 17:32:09 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 22 +1s)

Heading home from the skate park

I turned around and had just a split second to catch this shot.

Update: My wrist is on the mend but still needs a rest, thanks for all the well wishes.

2012-03-31 17:32:22 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 10 +1s)

Classical Music Lover

I really have to go in to this record store one day, it is crammed full of vinyl and curiously they often sell jam, vegetables and flowers there too.

Much to my delight this cat jumped up just as I stopped to take a few shots. I guess it knew about #Caturday.

Google+ I have missed you... and I would like to promise that I will spend more time with you but that's just not something that I can be sure of right now. As we all know life is full of ups and downs and balancing them all can be a challenge. After a few busy weeks - fun stuff, not so fun stuff and the routine stuff - I thought that I would finally get to spend some quality time here but alas a slightly strained wrist is now wrapped up in a splint and demanding to be rested :(

2012-03-18 19:29:03 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 28 +1s)

Over the Bridge

I had just one moment to catch this whilst out photo walking with +Rogier Rood earlier this week.

It was one of those times where there was barely a moment to catch the shot, just after some other people crossed the bridge and where they were both on the very top of the bridge itself.

2012-03-05 19:18:15 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 50 +1s)

Catching a Ride

Normal street photography resumed as soon as the frozen canals melted and what could possibly be more Amsterdam than this...

...now I know what that loop mounted on some handlebars is for - I had always wondered.

2012-02-29 18:35:27 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

Ice Melting on Brouwersgracht

The canals became unstable overnight but it took a full week for it to completely melt as temperatures rose. Perhaps a sign of just how solid and thick it was.

Now that Spring really does seem to be just around the corner this is the last of the frozen Amsterdam series.

2012-02-27 20:03:29 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Pick Up Hockey

The ice was not really smooth enough for hockey and they had to share the space with walkers and skaters but these guys still managed a game of hockey.

2012-02-25 14:55:18 (7 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

Figure Skater

2012-02-23 21:42:53 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 12 +1s)

Art of Bust

I went out shooting with +Jo Garrett this afternoon in the city of Amsterdam. We had great fun and also made the initial preparations for our first Amsterdam photowalk! It will be on April 6th, which happen to be Good Friday. So be sure to keep that day free! We put more information on G+ next week. So keep an eye on our streams!

When walking to the central station I saw this awesome mural from Art of Bust. Go check out his website, he has great stuff and a great website! (http://www.art-of-bust.com/).

2012-02-23 19:16:26 (10 comments, 0 reshares, 14 +1s)

Remembering Youth

I watched this elderly skater on and off for about an hour, she started of a little shakily but it was quite clear that in her youth she had been a talented and graceful skater. A friend mentioned that her skates are good quality figure skates which seems to confirm my first impression.

She skated with all her heart, she seemed to enjoy every moment and her balance improved with each skate. She had a wonderful smile and she could barely stop smiling the whole time.

2012-02-22 12:56:36 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 24 +1s)

*Ice Explorers

These two lads were out on the ice at Prinseneilandgracht which was a lot quieter than the canals in the Jordaan. It is incredible to think that the ice was strong enough to skate on on such a huge expanse of water

2012-02-20 11:54:29 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 18 +1s)

Dog Walkers

I have quite a collection of photos of frozen Amsterdam to share and editing them down is quite a challenge.

It was quite surreal how people took their everyday lives to the canals for that one week. Taking the dog for a walk, walking home from work with briefcase in hand or making their way home from school or shopping.

2012-02-19 15:26:41 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

Under Bridges

The bridges were the tricky parts of the frozen canals and not all of them had as much solid ice under them as this one did. Some just had a thin strip along the side of one wall and people had to pass single file. Others were not navigable at all. I have seen video footage of someone whose skate briefly dipped through to water and another guy using his hands to haul himself across the under beams of the bridge to the other side.

2012-02-19 09:23:19 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 35 +1s)

Photographer on Ice

What can I say? Always have your camera with you :)

2012-02-18 19:39:31 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 29 +1s)

Early Spring Cleaning

Frozen canals certainly made a few everyday chores a lot easier. I saw a few houseboat owners taking opportunities like this.

2012-02-18 18:13:29 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

Just hanging out on the ice

A friend and I were talking about the frozen canals and wondering how the houseboat owners felt with everyone sat on the edges of their homes.

I am guessing that they were just caught in the magic of it all and had a prime position to enjoy it from.

Either that or they were busy worrying about the danger of burst water pipes and damage to the structure of their homes.

2012-02-17 15:27:11 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 20 +1s)

Brouwersgracht

Sometimes you have to choose your way carefully in order to navigate some of life's more challenging moments.

This couple first seemed to think that they would have to turn back because the ice under the middle of the bridge was too weak. But perseverance paid off and they found a way to cross beneath the bridge.

2012-02-15 18:55:53 (9 comments, 0 reshares, 26 +1s)

Learning to skate

Or should I say learning to skate better because it seems like she already has the basics. I guess it's just tougher on rough natural ice.

Here in Amsterdam, the weather has turned rainy and grey. Sub-zero temperatures may have been a bit uncomfortable but the quality of the light was just amazing as the ice reflected back the sunlight and of course we enjoyed some wonderful crisp sunny days last week. So I am going to post a few more shots of sunny Amsterdam while the grey, overcast days continue.

2012-02-14 18:44:17 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

Opening Soon

The two guys behind the window entertained myself and several other photographers for a while on Leidseplein tonight.

This will be the first one to open in the Netherlands.

2012-02-14 12:21:04 (8 comments, 1 reshares, 38 +1s)

Happy Valentine's everyone

Inspired by a good friends Facebook status, I am going to repost with you my own Facebook status for today. It can equally apply to the people in my G+ circles - perhaps with the exception of the drinking reference since I have yet to meet any of you in person and Google have yet to offer it as an option under the share button :)

_"I am going to mark Valentine's day as one for appreciating my friends - thanks everyone for making me laugh, getting me just a little bit drunk (not so thankful for the hangovers but I guess I have to take the rough with the smooth) and thanks for just hanging out, being there, patiently listening to me, supporting me, having fun and generally sharing both the good and the not so great moments of your lives too.

Here's to good friends!"_

Brouwersgracht on Ice

The... more »

2012-02-13 20:22:12 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Pinterest: First impressions

I have not really decided what to do with Pinterest yet - but I like points, 1,2 and 3 of their suggested etiquette a lot.

1. Be Nice
2. Credit Your Sources
3. Avoid Self Promotion

To me it seems that it is a site for sharing the things that inspire us, things that we love and of course as photographers, we love our own work. But perhaps we should be using Pinterest to highlight what we recommend or find inspiring.

The work of other photographers
Photography Books
Photography Gear
Photo Industry suppliers
Textures, typefaces, logos, design elements
Elements from beyond photographs that inspire our photography or show more of our personality.

Wedding Pros could use it to recommend caterers, make up stylists and other people that they work with in their industry.

I have... more »

2012-02-12 15:22:50 (9 comments, 1 reshares, 23 +1s)

A walk on the ice : Bloemgracht, Amsterdam

Finally after a week of frozen canals, I decided to get out on the ice and take a walk. I had been debating what footwear to wear in terms of warmth and grip. I was concerned about making an existing knee/ hip stability issue worse. Of course there was the general concern about safety. Sure there are huge crowds out there every day and once you are down on the ice it looks like a lot of fun but this is natural ice, bumpy and uneven, thin ice disguised by snow and there are very few steps down to the canals. It's totally unsupervised, no ice-rink personal clearing the steps, trained in first aid or on hand to calm down people misbehaving. And it's on the surface of a deep canal.

There are a few steps and decks where canal cruisers dock but they are few and far between. So it's a case of deciding how agile you feel and finding... more »

2012-02-11 22:37:17 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 28 +1s)

Lijnbaansgracht

I knew that the main canals would be packed on a Saturday, so I took a walk along the quieter Lijnbaansgracht.

2012-02-10 19:07:25 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 13 +1s)

Montelbaansbrug

The good thing about these seemingly arctic conditions is that it has not snowed again since the freeze. Only the main roads get ploughed and gritted is used sparingly for environmental reasons, so further away from the beaten track roads are left to the initiative of local residents and the coming and going of local traffic.

2012-02-08 21:39:59 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 32 +1s)

Waalseilandsgracht

When the sun shines on the ice the light is simply beautiful. This is looking towards Binnenkant.