The photos of Ed van der Elsken remain timeless and magnificent: 'Don't look so grumpy, honey!'

Photographer and filmmaker Ed van der Elsken, born in Amsterdam in 1925, is celebrated for his unique ability to capture the authentic spirit of his home city. Throughout his career, he traveled extensively, yet he remained deeply connected to the neighborhoods and people of Amsterdam, documenting everything from everyday life to the city's rougher edges with his distinctive, personal style. His approach often involved getting up close to his subjects, whether they were bohemians in Paris or local residents in the Dutch capital, resulting in iconic, timeless photographs and documentaries.

Van der Elsken's intrusive and flirtatious style would arguably face more scrutiny today, but his work remains a hallmark of spontaneity and resistance. A notable example is a 1983 photo of Helena de Jong cycling through Amsterdam, which recently became the face of a Rijksmuseum exhibition. While the candid nature of his photography sometimes drew frustrated reactions, his portraits are now recognized as magnificent documents of history that captured the raw character of society.