Welcome to Berlin, the incredible city with its history and its culture, and with photo opportunities just around every corner. If you’re a seasoned photographer or someone looking to improve your Instagram game, this blog post will help you find some of the best spots in Berlin to photograph. Now take your camera or smartphone and lets go!
1. Brandenburg Gate
The Brandenburg Gate has to be photographed at every visit to Berlin. This is a neoclassical monument which constitutes a symbol of German unity and a stunning back drop. From different angles capture the gate, play around with different lighting conditions and even try a night long exposure shot to capture the traffic trails. Keep yourself in mind on who to frame or try unique angles to have your pictures unique.
2. East Side Gallery
But if you’re into street art, check out the East Side Gallery. Covered in colorful, thought provoking murals, created by artists from around the world, this 1.3 kilometer stretch of the Berlin Wall is a protest against the deadening effects of a wall. There’s no rush strolling along the wall and taking pictures of the art work. Make sure to pay attention to the unique cobblestone ground that this city is so famous and the unique “Berlin wall sign” in your compositions, that is.
3. Museum Island
Museum Island is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is also a museum-lovers paradise and a haven for picspots! You’ll have stunning architecture and five world famous museums here. Great photo ops abound at the exterior of some of the world’s museums, which are masterpieces themselves. If you can capture the grand entrance of the Pergamon Museum, photograph the beautifully symmetrical Alte Nationalgalerie, set up by Kaiser Wilhelm I in 1876, or capture the local Bode Museum over the River Spree, you could be in with a chance to win a Dji Mavic 2.
4. Holocaust Memorial
A visit to the Holocaust Memorial is powerful, reflective experience. The memorial is made up of 2,711 varying height concretes that are placed in an organized pattern; which gives the effect a somber and captivating atmosphere. Enjoy a walk through the slab maze and capture the glaring difference between the great slabs. Try taking the memorial from different angles, different perspectives, and with black and white photography – taking it from different angles, different perspectives, and with black and white photography to show the solemnity of it.
5. Oberbaum Bridge
The Oberbaum Bridge is an architectural wonder which connects Friedrichshain with Kreuzberg. In fact, this iconic bridge was built with red brickwork and features beautiful strong towers and with gorgeous views over the river Spree. Just photograph it during golden hour to capture that warm sun glow, or go visit it at night – when the bridge is lit up in its magic. Try very long exposures or even make the bridge from a near by street to give it some depth.
Pro Tips for Instagram-Worthy Shots
- Go to off peak hours, when places are less crowded and you get cleaner shots.
- Lighting plays with lighting – play with the early mornings and golden hours (sunrise and sunset) and they will all give you beautiful photo opportunities.
- Change perspective – play around with different angles, get down low or try something different it will help your images to standout.
- Bring people to your photos for scale, life in the scene, and to tell a story.
- Lines – look for lines in the architecture (or the environment) that lead the eye of the viewer through your photo.
- Be on the lookout for details that make a place special – details like textured surfaces or color.
Final Words
It’s been said many times, but Berlin never fails to inspire with its deep culture, beautiful buildings, and wonderful history. When you visit the best Instagram spots, there’s more to capture than the perfect shot – explore the unique rhythm and the stories each spot has to tell. When taking photos be respectful, especially at sensitive sites and always put the experience above getting likes on Instagram. And go happy exploring and happy snapping!
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