The Softer Side of Amsterdam
Sophie Pestino uses the Leica Q3 43 to instinctively step away from the noise of Amsterdam to find the softer side of the city. In a place defined by the ringing of bike bells and the clatter of trams, Sophie drifts toward the water. Along the canals, the hum of passing boats replaces the city’s pulse with something slower, more contemplative. She follows the way light dances across the surface, these ripples becoming her guide, leading her into quieter corners where reflections soften the hard edges of the city.
“In Amsterdam, where the light changes constantly, from golden reflections on the water to deep shadows under the trees, the Leica Q3 43 captured it all with incredible depth and balance. The transitions between light and shadow are smooth, and the colours hold their character without ever feeling exaggerated.”
My approach was simple; I wandered around without a fixed plan, letting the light and atmosphere guide me. The Q3 43 made that process natural as it’s responsive enough that when a small moment appeared, I could react instantly, but also quiet enough that I never felt like I was disturbing the scene. It let me blend in, which is important when you’re trying to capture intimacy in a place as alive as Amsterdam.
