Portrait of a fireman operating the controls of the old steam train that operates on the track near Dresden, known as the Kirnitzschtalbahn. This historic narrow-gauge tramway starts its journey from Bad Schandau and winds through the picturesque Kirnitzsch Valley in the Saxon Switzerland National Park. We enjoyed this trip and were impressed by the forested valley, passing by rocky cliffs, lush meadows, and quaint villages. The fireman's attentive gaze outside ensures that everything is ready for departure - Bad Schandau, Saxony, Germany.
0 Comments
This picture was taken back in 2015 during one of my early morning strolls. It captures the boardwalk next to the River Main in Frankfurt, also known as the Mainufer. This promenade stretches along the riverbanks and offers stunning views of the city skyline, historic landmarks, and lush greenery. The Mainufer is a favourite hangout for relaxed walks, jogging and biking, especially in the early morning or after work hours when office folks need to chill after a long day behind screens or in meetings - Frankfurt, Hessen, Germany.
When you wander into the Sans-Souci Palace in Potsdam’s picturesque park, it's hard to miss the windmill. Built in the mid-18th century under the reign of Frederick the Great, it served both practical and aesthetic purposes. Functionally, it ground grain to produce flour for the royal household and locals. Artistically, it enhanced the idyllic landscape surrounding the palace, embodying Frederick's vision of a serene retreat. Yet, amidst its beauty, a legend whispers of Frederick's frustration with its noise, lamenting, 'Why did I build my palace so close to a coffee grinder? – Sans-Souci Palace, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany.
Yesterday, I shared some images of the Stasi prison of Hohenschönhausen. But what I haven't discussed yet is the chilling reality hidden in its cellars—the old torture chambers once used by the Russian occupiers in the 1950s. What transpired there is equally, if not more, harrowing than the atrocities witnessed in the newer prison building. These chambers housed individuals deprived of basic rights—they couldn't even sit or lie down. Some cells were shrouded in pitch darkness, while others exuded bone-chilling coldness. It was in these very rooms that sanity evaporated within a day's time. Following Stalin's demise, these horrific chambers fell into disuse, but the echoes of their horrors remain. Above ground, interrogation was conducted without physical torture, but bureaucratic control terror reigned—a contemporary variant of the past's grim reality - Berlin, Germany
Over the next two days, I'll be sharing images from our visit to The Hohenschönhausen Memorial in eastern Berlin. This lesser-known spot doesn't attract many tourists due to its distance from the city's main attractions. Typically, visitors here are school groups, possibly as part of the high school German curriculum, or individuals with a keen interest in recent German history. Our interest in this place was sparked by "Grand Tour Europe," a book we read by the French writer Olivier Guez, who collected stories about Europe written by different authors with the aim of educating Europeans about their continent. Among these tales is one by Daniel Kehlmann, discussing The Hohenschönhausen Memorial, the former Stasi prison of the German Democratic Republic (GDR). Serving as a detention center for political prisoners, it was a site of psychological and physical torture. Our guided tour left us deeply shocked by the atrocities that occurred here, the sinister interrogation techniques employed, and the pervasive surveillance culture of the DDR. It felt like something out of George Orwell's 1984, but far more chilling – Berlin, Germany.
This photo isn't a masterpiece, but it's a snapshot I took during an early morning stroll to remember Leipzig, or shall I say, to ensure that I have all of Leipzig's landmarks in my photo library. It captures the Altes Rathaus, or Old Town Hall, a historic building in the city center. Dating back to the Renaissance, it's one of Leipzig's most important landmarks. For centuries, it served as the town hall, as the name of the building suggests. With its unique façade blending Renaissance and Baroque styles, it's a testament to Leipzig's architectural history. Today, the Altes Rathaus is home to the Museum of City History, and its galleries feature shops and cafés – Leipzig, Saxony, Germany.
I snapped this image of a waiter serving drinks while enjoying my double espresso on the terrace of one of Leipzig's charming shopping arcades. These covered corridors, adorned with shops, boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, define Leipzig's city center. From the historic Mädler Passage to the quaint Specks Hof and the elegant Königshauspassage, these passages offer more than just shopping—they provide a window into Leipzig's rich architectural heritage and cultural legacy – Leipzig, Saxony, Germany.
The Old Market is the vibrant heart of Potsdam, featuring the state parliament with its impressive Fortuna portal, the iconic St. Nicholas Church, an eye-catching Egyptian obelisk, the prestigious Barberini Museum, and the renowned Potsdam Museum. Known as one of Europe's most charming squares, the Old Market draws inspiration from the relaxed ambiance of Italian piazzas. St. Nicholas' Church, influenced by Rome's St. Peter's Basilica, showcases classicist architecture. Designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel in 1830 and later enhanced with a striking drum dome by Ludwig Persius and August Stüler in 1850, the church exudes timeless grandeur. Following a revitalization in the 1990s, the Old Market has once again become a highlight of Potsdam, boasting picturesque baroque architecture. As ongoing renovations continue to transform the surrounding city center, it's the perfect excuse to revisit and witness the stunning final result in a couple of years from now – Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany.
Here's a spontaneous shot I captured during an early morning stroll in Potsdam. We arrived too early to visit Sans-Souci Palace, as it opens at 10:00 am. After exploring St. Nicholas Church, we leisurely made our way back to the gates of Sans-Souci Park, where we stumbled upon these lovely cherry blossoms. There's something magical about cities adorned with cherry blossoms in early spring after a long winter – Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany.
Here's another image of the New Palace in Potsdam, Germany. As mentioned in yesterday’s post, the New Palace dwarfs Sans-Souci, Frederick the Great's original palace. Capturing its grandeur with just a 28 and 50 mm lens posed quite a challenge. To overcome this, I opted to stitch multiple shots together in Lightroom. While using a tripod would have been ideal for optimal results, I'm satisfied with the final image - Neues Palais, Sans-Souci, Potsdam, Brandenburg, Germany
|
WELCOME TO MY PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG AND PORTFOLIO. MY GOAL IS TO DOCUMENT THE WORLD AROUND ME, FROM THE SMALL DETAILS OF EVERYDAY LIFE TO THE GRAND LANDSCAPES THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY. WHETHER I'M AT HOME OR TRAVELING TO NEW PLACES, I AM ALWAYS ON THE LOOKOUT FOR NEW AND INTERESTING SUBJECTS TO PHOTOGRAPH. MY PHOTOGRAPHS ARE A VISUAL DIARY OF MY EXPERIENCES AND A WAY TO SHARE THE WORLD AS I SEE IT WITH OTHERS. I HOPE YOU ENJOY EXPLORING MY COLLECTION AND DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF THE WORLD THROUGH MY LENS.
About me:
Before: Healthcare Exec. Based in Brussels; Heidelberg; Los Altos Hills, CA; The Hague, Geneva, Nijmegen, Groningen
Now: Non-Executive Director in the Healthcare Industry based in Ghent. A travel buff with a passion for photography, photography books, Leica, wine and Asian food. Last but not least: proud grandfather of William, Nicholas and Mateo. |