Photography in Amsterdam

FOAM

Foam is the place in to admire photography in all its forms: from documentary to fashion, from contemporary to classical. In addition to large-scale exhibitions featuring world-famous photographers, Foam also shows upcoming artists in smaller exhibitions. The museum acts as a meeting place for photographers and holds regular public debates on photography. But Foam is more than just a museum. Foam Editions sells signed prints by talented young photographers, as well as a selection of limited-edition signed photography books.

Huis Marseille

Huis Marseille was once the private mansion of a wealthy French merchant, but these days it serves as a photography museum, displaying new exhibitions every three months. This multi-storey house allows the curators to play with the tensions between the themed exhibitions, using the levels to expose the thematic differences and highlight the similarities. The museum covers a wide range of international photographic genres from past and present. It also offers a good photography-related library which is opened to the public.

World Press Photo

The annual World Press Photo Exhibition is the best known of the Amsterdam-based World Press Photo Organization’s activities. The exhibition is officially opened in Amsterdam every April and runs in the ornate Oude Kerk until mid June. The hushed reverence of the church lends extra gravity to the often gritty and emotional images. The photos then go on a world tour and are exhibited in approximately 100 cities in 45 countries. The exhibition is a showcase for creativity in photojournalism and a platform for new developments in the profession.

Photography as Memory

Lovers of rock photography will be in their element at the Rockarchive gallery. Ranging from smaller framed photos to exclusive limited-edition prints, almost every major musical icon is represented. If you’re looking to buy some contemporary Dutch art, then pay a visit to the Blow Up gallery. This gallery displays the portfolios of over twenty talented contemporary photographers. A very limited number of prints is made of each photo, and each print is hand signed and numbered. They make a great souvenir of the city , especially for those with an artistic eye.

Shutterbugs will have plenty to do at Amsterdam's many photography museums, galleries and shops.