Amsterdam! Ed van der Elsken

“My Amsterdam. My Amsterdammers.”
That is what Ed van der Elsken wanted to capture, preferably up close and personal. “People from decent neighbourhoods: the Nieuwmarkt, the Jewish Quarter, the Pijp, Kattenburg. People who never set foot on the Apollolaan or in the Gold Coast – well, perhaps as a milkman, or as a burglar.”

Ed van der Elsken loved bustle, loved action. It was no coincidence that he called Amsterdam “my hunting ground.” He photographed demonstrations, markets, funfairs, traffic. But also labourers, rebellious youngsters and beautiful girls. And “dirty coppers” who often clamped down hard during riots.

The photographs he took in his city between 1947 and 1970 were collected in the photobook Amsterdam!, first published in 1979.
His innovative and disarming style made the book a true classic.

Now a new edition of this much-loved book is being published, based on fresh scans made in 2014 of all the original negatives.

Also available as a English version version: Amsterdam! English