Last year we visited Amsterdam for the first time, and we took a stroll through the Red Light District. I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was surprised to find it wasn’t very seedy, it is definitely more of a tourist attraction. The main RLD street has a canal running through it along with bars, apartments, sex shops and restaurants. If you wanted you could just come here to grab a drink or a bite to eat. It was interesting to see that there were even families and tour groups were making their way through this storied neighborhood taking in all the red bathed sights.

While the main street seems a little like Adult Disneyland there are also plenty of small streets that make up the district. The small streets have a much more intimate feel, mostly because there aren’t as many people wandering through them and also because the streets are narrow.

The Red Light District is a very busy place with a strange mix of life in one small neighborhood. It a strange way it’s very beautiful – there’s so much happening both visually and mentally it takes a bit to process it all as you wander through the rouge colored alleys. For obvious reasons, it’s a very unique place to visit. As a woman it’s hard to look at the scene without thinking “What if…”. How do women end up here? Do they want to be here? In another life, could I be standing in their place? There’s so much to think about walking through the RLD. I elaborated on more of my thoughts when I published Modern Magdalene #1, my favorite photo from this series.

While we were there I also noticed that most of the women are actually behind glass doors, not windows, and when a customer comes up they simply open the door and let them in.

Below are some scenes from the world’s most historic Red Light District.

SHAMELESS PLUG: WANT TO LEARN SOME GREAT TRICKS FOR TAKING PHOTOS IN LOW LIGHT SITUATIONS?

All of these photos were taken in the Amsterdam Red Light District using the manual setting on my camera and without the use of a tripod.

If you want to learn how to take your own great photos in low light check out my photo ebook – Getting Out Of Auto. Learn the ins & outs of exposure, composition and special techniques to help you get great shots!

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*Please remember all photos on this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyrighted and property of Beers and Beans Travel Website & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you do want to use one of them please contact me first. Thanks!