Overview

Berlin is a street photographer’s dream—a vibrant metropolis that pulses with history, cultural rebellion, and creativity. Its streets are a living canvas where Cold War scars meet cutting-edge culture, and where the raw and the refined coexist. From the brutalist architecture of its eastern boroughs to the gentrified neighborhoods of Kreuzberg and Neukölln, Berlin offers a wealth of visual narratives, making it one of Europe’s most dynamic destinations for street photography.

Having collaborated on several highly-regarded workshops in Paris, photographers Justin Black and Julia Keil are excited to offer this small-group photo workshop for just six participants in another of Europe’s most interesting and culturally vibrant capitals. We will be based at a wonderful boutique hotel right on the bank of the river Spree, in the heart of the artsy East Side Gallery neighborhood.

Morning and afternoon, and into the evening, Julia and Justin will lead outings around the city to make the most of light and conditions to make the most of the photographic potential. We’ll also take advantage of Berlin’s status as one of the world’s great centers of photography and art to make privately guided visits to two of the city’s most important photography galleries, drawing inspiration from exhibitions of work by great masters and contemporary artists alike. We will hold two group image reviews over the course of the week to provide you with constructive feedback that you can then apply during subsequent photographic outings. When we have a little down time during the day, you’ll be free to explore on your own, edit your photographs, do some shopping, or just relax. And, of course, as Berlin is considered a “foodie town” we invite you to join us for a celebration of  gastronomic delights as we enjoy group meals at some favorite restaurants.

The City’s Atmosphere: Grit, Glamour, and Gentrification

Berlin’s identity is shaped by its tumultuous past and its constantly evolving present. The remnants of the Berlin Wall, adorned with graffiti and poignant murals, symbolize the city’s division and unity, offering deeply symbolic subjects. Meanwhile, the gentrification of former working-class neighborhoods has brought colorful cafés, street art, and a wave of multiculturalism, creating a vibrant contrast with the city’s stoic, concrete-heavy post-war architecture.

The light in Berlin can be particularly striking for street photography. In spring, days are of a reasonable length, with golden hour in early morning and evening provide beautiful, slanted light for dynamic compositions.

Both on foot and using taxis to cover longer distances, we will explore various neighborhoods and districts that offer fantastic opportunities for street photography:

• Kreuzberg and Neukölln:
These adjacent neighborhoods are Berlin’s creative heart, known for their multicultural energy. Kreuzberg’s Görlitzer Park and Oranienstraße teem with life—skaters, buskers, and café-goers—making it perfect for candid street portraits. Neukölln, with its Turkish markets and eclectic bars, offers a glimpse into the city’s diverse community.

• Alexanderplatz and Mitte:
The wide-open spaces of Alexanderplatz provide a Brutalist playground for minimalist street compositions. The Fernsehturm (TV Tower) looms overhead, offering scale and context. Nearby, the Brandenburg Gate and Unter den Linden present opportunities for photographing tourists, performers, and street vendors with an iconic backdrop.

• East Side Gallery and Oberbaum Bridge:
The East Side Gallery—a preserved section of the Berlin Wall covered in politically charged murals—is a must for street photographers. The adjacent Oberbaum Bridge is a striking architectural subject, especially during blue hour, with reflections in the Spree River enhancing the scene. This is where our hotel is located.

• RAW-Gelände and Friedrichshain:
Once a train repair yard, RAW-Gelände is now a graffiti-covered cultural hub with a gritty, post-industrial aesthetic. This area is ideal for urban decay photography, with plenty of opportunities for wide-angle environmental portraits or detail shots of street art textures.

• Hackescher Markt and the Scheunenviertel:
This area is known for its courtyards, boutiques, and stylish urbanites. The interplay of old cobblestone alleys and chic fashion-forward crowds makes it a prime spot for stylish and fashion-oriented street photography.

• Tempelhofer Feld:
The former airport turned public park is an unconventional but rewarding destination. The wide-open spaces and long runways create fascinating compositions with human subjects dwarfed by the vastness of the landscape, making it perfect for minimalist street scenes.

The Human Element: People of Berlin

Berlin’s inhabitants reflect the city’s layered identity—bohemian creatives, artists, activists, and corporate professionals. Flea markets (Flohmärkte), such as the one at Mauerpark, offer candid portrait opportunities of vendors and bargain hunters. The city’s open-air cafés and beer gardens provide intimate moments for observing locals unwinding.

Berlin’s multiculturalism also adds depth to its street scenes. Turkish, Arab, Vietnamese, and African communities contribute to the city’s rich visual diversity, whether through bustling street food markets or family-run businesses.

Visual Themes and Photographic Styles

• Juxtapositions of Old and New:
Photographing Berlin often means capturing the collision of eras—the ornate façades of pre-war buildings standing beside stark GDR-era blocks or modern glass skyscrapers. The contrast offers compelling visual storytelling.

• Street Art and Graffiti:
Berlin is one of Europe’s street art capitals. Murals, stencils, and wheat-paste posters offer colorful backdrops and abstract textures, creating opportunities for layering street portraits against vibrant, chaotic canvases.

• Raw and Unpolished Aesthetic:
Berlin has a rawness that makes it ideal for grittier, documentary-style street photography. Cracked sidewalks, peeling paint, and remnants of the Wall provide textured and weathered surfaces that add mood and context.

• Night Photography:
Berlin comes alive at night, with neon-lit bars, bustling late-night döner kebab stands, and shadowy alleyways. Low-light street photography with a focus on artificial light sources—reflections, neon glows, and silhouettes—can create cinematic effects.

Tips for Street Photography in Berlin

• Public Sensitivity to Photography: Berliners value their privacy, so when photographing individuals, it’s often best to seek consent, especially for close-up portraits. Candid, wide-angle shots in public spaces are less intrusive.
• Weather Variability: The city’s weather can change quickly. Be prepared with a rain cover for your camera or embrace the drizzle for atmospheric street shots and reflections in the wet pavement.
• Off the Beaten Path: While tourist-heavy areas like Brandenburg Gate are photogenic, the most authentic street photography moments often happen in residential neighborhoods or at local flea markets and parks.
• Film-Like Aesthetics: To reflect Berlin’s gritty charm, consider embracing film-like color grading or black-and-white processing, enhancing the city’s moody aesthetic.

Why Berlin Stands Out for Street Photography

Berlin’s appeal lies in its contrasts—between the past and the present, the polished and the raw, the rebellious and the refined. The city offers a constant tension between its historical gravitas and its creative vibrancy, making it endlessly photogenic. Whether capturing a solitary figure walking along the remnants of the Wall, a sunlit moment at a café, or a chaotic urban protest, Berlin challenges and rewards street photographers with its ever-changing, multi-faceted character.

Berlin is not merely a backdrop—it’s a character in itself, with each street corner telling its own story.

TESTIMONIALS FROM PRIOR WORKSHOPS WITH JUSTIN AND JULIA

I have learned so much from Justin over the years. I just finished his Paris workshop (second time!) and it was fabulous. Many thanks to Justin and Julia for a wonderful week. Learned so much and made great new friends! –Peggy K.

It was an amazing workshop! –Bruce C.

I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed the trip to Paris. I have several outstanding images and as you said if you get ten great photos out of a trip, it is a success. –Susan Q.

As my week of street photography in Paris ends I need to extend my thanks to Justin Black and Julia Keil who have led the workshop. I have learned a great deal this week due to their patience and wise instruction. In addition, the group of fellow photographers I shared the week with was without a doubt the best group of people I have ever shared a workshop. Spontaneous laughter and singing have been the needed sustenance to long days of walking the streets of Paris. –Ron S.

What a fantastic time in Paris with some amazing and talented people! I learned something from each one of you and left feeling energized. It was a treat to share this experience with such fun people. –Margie C.

Thanks for a fun week! You all were so much fun. I hope our paths cross again! –Bob L.