Cityscapes and Abstracts

Cityscapes and Abstracts

“The city isn't abstract until you decide to look at it that way.”

— Joep Hijwegen

This workshop is about reading the city as pure form — line, light, reflection and shadow. We go looking for the abstract pictures hiding in plain sight: the geometry of a façade, the smear of a passing tram, a window that folds the street back on itself into collage.

Who's it for

Anyone who wants to loosen up and see differently — whether you shoot on a phone or a rangefinder, and whether you've photographed the city for years or are looking at it properly for the first time. All you need is a camera and some curiosity.

Reserve your place

12 September 2026 · 13:00–17:00 · Amsterdam

€250Small-group workshop

Six participants · all levels welcome.

What you'll learn

  1. Seeing abstractlyTrain your eye to find composition in texture, reflection and light.
  2. Working with reflectionsUse glass and water to layer the street into a single frame.
  3. Light and shadowRead hard and soft light and use it to simplify a scene.
  4. Framing & geometryBuild strong images from line, shape and negative space.
  5. Timing the frameWait for the moment when the elements line up.
  6. Editing your takeChoose the frames that hold up — and understand why.