July 2024 Top 3 Picks
As we start a new month it’s time to look back and for me to pick my top 3 photos from last month.
This time it’s July 2024. This July I took a trip to Amsterdam to enjoy four days of sunshine in the Dutch capital, the vibrant street markets, outside dining and canals offered some incredible opportunities to capture some great shots and practice my street photography.
Let’s take a lot at my top 3 for June 2024.
July 2024 Winner - Pink Row Boat
Pink Row Boat - Olympus E-M10 Mark II, Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH, ƒ5, 1/400, ISO200
My winner for July 2024 is Pink Row Boat. I captured this image on our second day in Amsterdam on a stroll around De 9 Straatjes area. This little rowboat was tied up to the edge of one of the canals and seemed to be a little forgotten about. For some reason, this caught my eye and I snapped a quick shot of it, but wasn’t expecting much as it wasn’t the most exciting image of the day, but as I am learning through these monthly reviews, it is often the least expected photos that I like the most.
The reason I like this shot so much is its simplicity. I like the simple shape of the boat against the calmness of the canal water. I also love the colour palette. The light pink contrasts the greeny waters which are complimented by a similar green in the neatly tied rope at the bow of the boat. The faded blue paint on the bow of the boat adds another contrast to both the green and the pink.
July 2024 Runner-Up - Residents Permit Only
Resident Permit Only - Olympus E-M10 Mark II, Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH, ƒ5, 1/400, ISO200
July’s runner-up image is Residents Permit Only, a shot I took off a little side street in Amsterdam whilst wandering from Albert Cuyp Markt to the Heineken Museum. As we walked I spotted this guy taking a nap in the sunshine, relaxing into a chair next to a parking meter.
On this trip I was focusing my street photography practice more on capturing the people of a place, something I’ve been more nervous about when street shooting. I feel that adding people to scenes brings more life and character to an image and deepens the story telling of a place. I particularly enjoy the comedy of this image, with the individual parked in a spot for the afternoon.
July 2024 Third Place - Cafe Scene
Cafe Scene - Olympus E-M10 Mark II, Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH, ƒ4, 1/640, ISO200
July 2024’s Third Place image is Cafe Scene, a shot of people enjoying a break in a bar while shopping at Albert Kupt Markt in Amsterdam. Like the second-place image, my trip to Amsterdam was focused on trying to capture both people and places, and this scene did this.
With this image, I wanted to capture the vibrant cafe scene in summertime Amsterdam, and the relaxed pace the locals took to activities. I think this scene captures this well. I also enjoy how the yellow umbrella frames not just the two subjects in the foreground, but also the whole seating area of the bar.