Bicycle-panning in Amsterdam
by Frans Kemper
There are more bicycles in Amsterdam than residents. More canals than in Venice. More dedicated bicycle roads than anywhere in the world. What wouldn’t be easier to shoot bicycle-panning you would say. Not so fast. It took me a lot of time and focus to get a few decent ones. I was loaded with the basic technique, but trial and error did the trick. Finally, I had the Amsterdam bicycle-panning technique under my belt. Distance, shutter speed, aperture, focussing, location and position. Every detail counts.
We Amsterdammers (sometimes referred to as Mokummers) grow up on the bicycle. Besides ourselves (and friends and family), we transport whatever is in the need of transportation. We ride like crazy, fast and reckless. Always in a hurry.
We go left and right from each other, or under or over if need be. Without blinking an eye, at the same time holding the umbrella, flowers, mobile or groceries in one hand.
Not for the faint-hearted.
Ok ok ok, Sunday morning at 07:00 is quiet, steady and easy. But try early Monday morning or Friday late afternoon, especially when it pours.
They also spot every detail during their journey. It was impossible for me not to be seen.
The reactions were hilarious. From ugly faces and cursing too waving, laughing and exchanging pleasantries.
It was a great and funny experience and a time well spent during my stay in my home town.
I let the images speak for themselves.
The first image illustrates something of the craziness. This particular 4-way intersection is in use since 2015. No traffic lights and no lanes. And never a single accident. A perfect ballet of bicyclists and pedestrians.
Ohh…Bicycle helmets? What’s that?…
