A City of Art & Culture:
In 2016 I was lucky enough to visit the city of Berlin. It was my second time travelling to Germany and it was a cultural experience that I'll never forget.
Berlin Wall Face Mural. Nikon D750, Nikkor 50mm @ f/7.1, 1/800, ISO 320
Berlin is a city steeped in history, a reminder of its past seemingly waiting around every corner. Sections of the old Berlin Wall have been preserved throughout the city. They stand as a testament to the progress made since the era of the Soviet Union, and as a stark reminder of a nation once divided by differing cultural and political beliefs.
A Peoples Choler. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/1.8, 1/1600, ISO 64
The image shown above is a section of the old wall on which people have deposited their chewing gum. They would do this to express their disdain at the existence of the social and economic division between east and west Berlin. This section of wall stands alongside many others ordained with messages of peace and solidarity.
It perhaps speaks to the spirit of the German people who would choose to face down adversity with art. During my stay it seemed that the entirety of Berlin itself was a canvas on which any prospective artist could choose to make their mark.
Berlin Wall Mural. Nikon D750, Nikkor 50mm @ f/7.1, 1/320, ISO 320
Collectivism. Nikon D750, Nikkor 50mm @ f/7.1, 1/800, ISO 320
I'm no art critic and I'm not sure what the artist was going for with this. I do however like to see it as the embodiment of collectivism, the individual being devoured by the collective psyche.
Risqué in Multicolour. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/9, 1/320, ISO 640
A Custodian of Human History:
As a photographer in a city like Berlin, it can be difficult to know exactly where to direct your attention. They say that variety is the spice of life, and Berlin's social scenes are about as multi-various as it gets. From the modern steel, glass and concrete of Alexanderplatz, to the historic Museum Island and the stylish flamboyance of Kreuzberg, Berlin caters to every taste. It seemed to me that Berlin was open to every type of person, Kennedy's statement, "Ich Bin Ein Berliner" made more sense to me with every day that passed.
Berlin Cathedral. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/8, 1/500, ISO 250
When I returned from Berlin people asked me what it was like; I found it difficult to answer. In retrospect I'd say that it has the spirit and the heart of a child, with all the age and wisdom of a sage.
The Reichstag Building. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/8, 1/500, ISO 100
Brandenburg Gate. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/9, 1/320, ISO 250
The architecture was truly impressive, it felt surprisingly understated in the sense that the places of historical significance weren't flooded with innumerable tourists. There also seemed to be a humble air of respect and openness in relation to the nation's war time past.
The Pensive Man. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/5.6, 1/100, ISO 640
The statue pictured above is situated in the Neue Wache building. It stands as a memorial to the victims of war and dictatorship. It makes for a sombre spectacle and I hoped to convey the mood of the place with this image.
Berlin Holocaust Memorial. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/8, 1/200, ISO 125
The image shown above is of the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. The outdoor site consists of several thousand concrete slabs of differing dimensions. Many have likened their appearance to that of gravestones. Upon venturing into their midst the place takes on a labyrinthine quality. The artist responsible for designing the memorial is quoted as wishing to convey a feeling of uneasiness and confusion through the chaotic and imposing nature of the structures. I personally found it to be both a disquieting and humbling experience, a place of quiet and solemnity.
Sombre Wall Art, East Side Gallery. Nikon D750, Nikkor 50mm @ f/7.1, 1/320, ISO 320
Vibrance Through Introspection
Berlin struck me as a place acutely aware of its own past. Though as I mentioned earlier, it seemed that this introspection on the part of the city only furthered a seemingly indefatigable push for progress on the part of its people. There was a positivity, an optimism about the place that I found to be particularly admirable. I've rarely found myself in a more vibrant and open atmosphere. This feeling wasn't one born of a juvenile mentality however, but rather one of a familiarity with past societal failures, one that found its openness and vibrancy in the pursuit of social betterment.
Flohe Markt. Nikon D750, Nikkor 50mm @ f/6.3, 1/1600, ISO 250
A weekend at the flea market in Berlin's Mauerpark, complete with street jazz artists.
Jazz Band. Nikon D750, Nikkor 50mm @ f/3.2, 1/2000, ISO 320
Transparency. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/7.1, 1/15, ISO 1600
The picture shown above depicts the glass dome of the Reichstag Building. It was designed to represent the reunification of Germany and the renewed transparency of the nation and its government.
The Fernsehturm. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/9, 1/320, ISO 320
Berlin's skyline is dominated by the Fernsehturm, the TV tower. Here it's viewed from a street close to Alexanderplatz. There's a revolving restaurant situated at the top of the tower, and although I didn't have the chance to eat there, I did visit the viewing platform.
The Spree and Beyond. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/9, 1/200, ISO 320
This picture was shot through an angled pane of glass. It was fairly scratched and this came through on the image. My favourite thing about this picture is the trains that are perfectly aligned near the centre of the photo. They were both moving past each other but I must have pressed the shutter at the exact moment that they lined up.
Manual Control:
As a photography blog, my posts usually include some thematic advice on how to approach your subjects. Travel photography is a unique in that it's hard to advise someone on that which will inevitably be decided by their personal tastes. I'd encourage you to photograph whatever takes your eye, and try to present a unique perspective on any well known tourist attractions that you intend to visit.
My only advice from a technical standpoint is to use your camera's manual exposure mode. I personally always shoot in manual as I find it maximises the control I have over my final images. By shooting in manual you'll be more inclined to take your time and as a result your shots will invariably be better considered. Take you time to compose your shots and fine tune your settings. See your final image in your mind's eye and create it with your camera. Remember that the art of photography is fundamentally painting with light, so paint carefully and with purpose.
As always, thank you for taking the time to read my article. I hope that you've found this blog both entertaining and useful. Either way I'll leave you with this ice cream monster that graced my travels, cheers for now:
Ice Cream Monstrosity. Nikon D750, Sigma 24mm A @ f/1.8, 1/2500, ISO 160
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All photos present in this article are © Alexander White