Amsterdam at Tulip Time

One of the most photogenic cities on the European continent is Amsterdam, laced with canals and waterways, world famous museums  and fascinating architecture of the 15th and 16th  century. And there is no better time to go than the famous tulip season, when the gardens at Keukenhof are brimming with hundreds of thousands of tulips in gorgeous displays.  Our Safari will also include daytime and nighttime canal excursions,  a visit to the typical old Dutch village of Marken, Led by extraordinary award-winning photographer and Amsterdam resident Marketa Jirouskova, this Safari will offer  a great mix of candid, architectural, interior,  nighttime, art museum,  floral and people photography opportunities!  

Here is the daily itinerary of the Safari:

Thursday, April 15, Amsterdam

6-10PM Welcome – basics of travel photography/ composition/light; Night photography; meeting place near Central Station will be announced

Friday, April 16, Alkmaar, Amsterdam

8AM-12PM By train: Alkmaar historic Cheese Market – portraits/photojournalism

3-6PM Walk: Amsterdam – Dam and Amsterdam Historical museum - indoor/architecture photography

8:30-10PM Walk: Historic canals and waterways by night – nighttime photography (Amsterdam bridges, Skinny bridge)

Saturday, April 17 - Keukenhof, Marken+Volendam

7AM-12PM By train+bus: Keukenhof tulip fields – travel/landscape/macro photography

3-8PM By bus+boat: Marken (village), Volendam (town) – travel/people photography

Sunday, April 18, Amsterdam

8:30AM-12PM Walk+Boat – street photography/portraits/photo journalism
(Flower market & Historic canals and waterways)

4-8PM Boat+Walk – architecture/people/candid photography
(Modern architecture and waterways & Rembrandtplein, Leidseplein)

8-9PM Farewell – evaluation, portfolio critique

Safari instructor Marketa Jirouskova,is a freelance photojournalist named Photographer of the Year by the International Photographic Society at the World Bank/IMF in Washington DC.  A native of the Czech Republic and a resident of Amsterdam, Ms. Jirouskova received her Masters Degree in Film from the Prague Film School,  has photographed and filmed in 50 countries and is the recipient of 37 photographic awards. Fluent, in English, Dutch and Czech, she has been published in six European magazines including the Readers Digest, and her work has been  shown in over 20 exhibitions around the world. Her instruction on the 2008 Amsterdam Safari was called "absolutely fantastic" by one of the participants.

Any camera will do, but adjustable SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses and circular polarzing filters are recommended for better results. Tripods recommended for nighttime and low-light shooting.

April 15-18, 2010, $1295/person, includes all 3 days of photography instruction plus entry to Keukenhof Gardens, daytime and nighttime canal boat transport, ferry to Marken/Volendam, welcome dinner and drink. Not included are air transportation, lodging in Amsterdam, meals, tips and public transport in Amsterdam.  Begins at 7 pm on the 16th, ends at 9 pm on the 19th.

Minimum 6 participants. In combination with Prague Safari April 22-25, fee is reduced to $1245.