My Virtual Vacation Day 3—Holland

Posted by Imagery Photography on June 27, 2020

We had hoped in retirement to travel the world. So far we have done a pretty good job with trips to Mexico, Hawaii, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and The Czech Republic. However the pandemic has stopped all of that for a while. So while waiting for Africa, Alaska and Scandinavia, our current travel is going to have to be virtual. Today’s stop is The Nederland or Holland as Americans call it.

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Amsterdam

Amsterdam View from Central Station

Kinderjik

Water Managment Canal

L’ Shana Tova

Posted by Imagery Photography on September 10, 2018

Tonight is the beginning of one of the most sacred holidays in Judaism: Rosh Hashanah. I can’t help but wonder what services would look like in the beautiful Portuguese Synagogue in Amsterdam.

Amsterdam is known for its Red Light District, Canals, Coffee Shops and Museums. Nestled in this backdrop is one of the great Synagogues of the world. It was built by Spanish Jews escaping the Spanish Inquisition. Since Holland and Spain were at war with one another, those escaping persecution said they were Portuguese to gain entry in to the country. Many Synagogues in Europe today restrict access due to persistent anti-Semitic feelings. However the Portuguese Synagogue is open for visitors for a small fee. You can also attend services on Friday or Saturday without paying a fee. The entire Synagogue is lit by candles and there is an excellent Judaica store where you can buy beautiful souvenirs and find out about the history of the building.L’shanah Tovah (Happy New Year!)

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Portuguese Synagogue Amsterdam Holland

Smithsonian Candidate #6…Kinderjik

Posted by Imagery Photography on June 11, 2018

I am thinking of entering the Smithsonian Photo Contest even though I have zero chance of winning. I say that not to denigrate my ability as a photographer, but each category already has over 50,000 entries. Sure a lot of them are crap but some, well follow the link above and see for yourself. Also you can only submit work from 1/1/2016 until the present and all works with people must have a model release.

If you are familiar with any of my work (e.g. Moment and Souls) you probably realize I don’t have a lot of model releases.

Fortunately I do have some images that may qualify in other categories and will be publishing some here to see if you feel they quality. Please comment and let me know your thoughts.This one is in the Travel Category and is a view of a windmill of Kinderjik, Holland.

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Kinderjik

Smithsonian Candidate #5…Amsterdam

Posted by Imagery Photography on May 31, 2018

If you are familiar with any of my work (e.g. Moment and Souls) you probably realize I don’t have a lot of model releases.

To see other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit my commercial gallery.

Smithsonian Candidate #5…Amsterdam

Play Me

Posted by Imagery Photography on October 11, 2017

In every country we visited throughout Europe we found pianos in public places available for public performance. This one was inside the mall adjacent to the Central Station in Amsterdam. The piano was in tune and pianist actually knew how to play.

To see Richard’s other images and buy apparel or prints, please visit his commercial
gallery.

Play Me

Managing Water

Posted by Imagery Photography on August 28, 2017

Watching the news this weekend and seeing the horror playing out in Texas due to Hurricane Harvey made me think back to my visit to the Kinderjik in The Netherlands. The great North Sea Flood of 1953 cause fantastic damage and loss of life in the Netherlands and United Kingdom.

Realizing that such infrequent events could recur, the Netherlands and The United Kingdom carried out major studies on strengthening of coastal defenses. The Netherlands developed the Delta Works, an extensive system of dams and storm surge barriers. The UK constructed storm surge barriers on the River Thames below London and on the River Hull where it meets the Humber estuary.

One would have hoped that the lessons from the Dutch and Hurricane Katrina would have helped us. But it appears that rampant overbuilding and careless water management in Houston and other Texas cities has set up another costly lesson for the USA.

I know that New Orleans has had teams from Holland come over to present their ideas. One can only hope they learn that in order to keep the water out and preventing damage, you actually have to let some of the water in and control its course.

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Water Management Canal

Inside The Windmill

Posted by Imagery Photography on August 4, 2017

Last time we visited Holland we took a tour of the UNESCO site at Kinderjik. The Windmills of Kinderdijk are along the Rhine River in Holland south of Amsterdam. They are used to manage water and eliminate flooding and have been in existence since the 15th Century.

Inside the Windmill there is a living area for the Windmill Tender. This is a view of a small kitchen right next to the the main shaft of the windmill.I imagine the petroleum is used for the mill but maybe it is power for a kitchen stove. Behind the kitchen you can watch the gears turning while you cook.

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Inside The Windmill

Water Towers

Posted by Imagery Photography on May 17, 2017

We began our sail from Amsterdam in the Netherlands and stood on our veranda watching the Nederlands sweep by. Eight days and 7 ports later we would wind up in Basil Switzerland. Along the Waal river in Holland we saw a few buildings that look like castles. Closer looks reveal they are not. This is a water tower or pumping station. We also saw bridge abutments designed to look like castles.

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