Off-the-Beaten-Path Photography Locations in Germany You Have to See
When one thinks of hot spots to photograph in Germany, your mind might immediately wander to the mountaintop castles of Bavaria or the busy streets of Berlin.
And while these locations are certainly worthy of a visit with your camera, there are some off-the-beaten-path locations that should be on your Germany to-do list as well.
In this guide, we’ll explore some lesser-known areas of Germany that present you with excellent photographic opportunities without the huge crowds found elsewhere in this magnificent country.
Photographing Germany: The Ruhr District
The Ruhr District is teeming with relics of the industrial era - abandoned factories, coal mines, and ironworks whose decaying vestiges are ideal subjects for your lens.
Specifically, the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex in the North Rhine-Westphalia city of Essen is an interesting location to shoot.
Not only is it a UNESCO World Heritage site, but the complex has acres upon acres of subject matter that you can explore and photograph. This includes all the installations of a coal mine: coal pits, coking plants, pit heaps, and railway lines.
The various buildings of the complex are also worthy of being photographed.
According to UNESCO, the complex’s buildings “are outstanding examples of the application of the design concepts of the Modern Movement in architecture in a wholly industrial context.”
As you can see in the images above, the small details of these buildings are nothing short of spectacular as well.
Quick Tip: Once you’re done exploring Zollverein, head to Landschaftspark in Duisburg. There, you’ll find a turn-of-the-century ironworks complete with cast houses, lifts, and blast furnaces that still stand testament to the might and power of the German industrial complex of the early 20th Century.
Photographing Germany: Medieval Treasures in Aachen and Monschau
Exploring the German town of Aachen takes you back even further in time than the hulking industrial complexes in Essen.
Once the capital of Charlemagne's enormous Frankish empire, Aachen is home to a breathtaking array of medieval architecture, the best example of which is the Aachen Cathedral.
Charlemagne ordered the cathedral built in the late 700s and it served as his burial location when he died in 805. His throne, a relatively plain seat, was installed in the cathedral in 796 and was used throughout the 10th-16th centuries for coronation proceedings of many Holy Roman Kings.
Because of its rich history and incredible architecture, UNESCO has deemed it a world heritage site as well.
Quick Tip: Just steps away from Charlemagne’s throne is the golden reliquary known as Karlschrein. Built in 1215, it stores Charlemagne's exhumed skeleton. It’s just one of many gold features in the cathedral, along with the Barbarossa chandelier, the Pala d’Oro (an altarpiece from the 11th Century), the Ambon of Henry II, and the Marienschrein, a shrine to Mary that was consecrated in 1239.
Another medieval site to explore is Monschau, a tiny village that looks as though it’s right out of the 1600s.
Little has changed in Monschau over the centuries - cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses dot the area, and the turreted Monschau Castle stands guard over the town.
If architectural photography is your passion, you must visit The Red House, an enormous home built in 1752 for a wealthy cloth manufacturer. The home’s period furnishings are ornate and beautiful, as is the carved oak staircase that winds its way from the first to the second floor.
Quick Tip: For landscape photography enthusiasts, the nearby Eifel National Park is a must-see. There, you’ll find deep blue lakes, unmolested forests, mountains, wildlife, and more.
Photographing Germany: Cologne
Though Cologne isn’t off-the-beaten-path, if you’re in the North Rhine-Westphalia region, you’d be remiss if you didn’t visit this bustling 2,000-year-old city.
Full of incredible street scenes, landmark architecture, arts, culture, and history, Cologne is a photographer’s paradise.
The highlight of the city skyline it Cologne Cathedral, a stunning example of High Gothic architecture with two spires that pierce the sky.
Like the Aachen Cathedral, the Cologne Cathedral has many examples of gilded medieval reliquaries that are as massive as they are beautiful.
Situated on the riverfront, there are spectacular views of the Rhine as well.
Quick Tip: Be sure to visit the Museum Ludwig next door to the cathedral. Inside, you can explore a massive collection of art that spans hundreds of years, including many examples of work by Pablo Picasso. The museum also has a permanent photography exhibit, including FOTO LAB, an area where you can experiment with various devices, including a camera obscura, the first type of camera.
If you plan to visit Cologne, do so in May, when Photokina, the world’s leading imaging fair, takes place.
Photokina represents a unique opportunity to explore as-yet-unreleased photography gear and witness some of the latest innovations in the world of photography. What’s more, the fair draws thousands of photography enthusiasts so there is a chance to meet photographers from around the globe and share your common passion for photography together.
The Best Way to See Germany’s North Rhine-Westphalia Region
With so many locations to explore in this region of Germany, it can be a little overwhelming deciding where to go, when, and for how long.
What’s more, making travel arrangements, figuring out where to stay, and booking local tours can be a time-consuming task that makes the prospect of travel seem more like a job than an adventure!
That’s why a photo workshop is the best way to see this area.
All of the locations discussed above are included in Princeton Photo Workshop’s North Rhine-Westphalia-Photokina tour.
This seven-day, six-night tour takes place May 24-30, 2020, and coincides with Photokina.
Beginning in the Ruhr District, moving to Aachen and Monschau, and culminating in a visit to Cologne, this tour provides ample learning opportunities for photographers of all skill levels.
With art, architecture, street scenes, and landscapes to explore, you’ll be able to expand your horizons as a photographer and put new skills to practice in a variety of settings.
Throughout the tour, workshop leaders will provide feedback on your images and the group will meet for discussions of critical photography topics, including lighting, composition, color, and post-processing.
Aside from the gorgeous settings and a small-group experience, what’s of note about this tour is the expertise of the tour leaders.
This is not a hands-off tour, by any means. Leaders are involved from moment one, guiding you, helping you put your learning into action, and providing constructive feedback so you can become a better photographer. In that supportive, welcoming, and warm environment, you’ll find your creative voice!
Visit Princeton Photo Workshop today to learn more about this photography adventure in Germany!
Take an Adventure Stateside Too!
If the timing doesn’t work for you to head to Germany with Princeton Photo Workshop next May, why not take a photography class in the U.S.?
With classes in New York City, Philadelphia, and New Jersey, there is no lack of fodder for your camera.
In New York, explore the Highline and Hudson Yards, Grand Central Terminal, or the New York Public Library and Bryant Park.
Touring Philadelphia, you can photograph the Boathouse Row and Art Museum area at sunset, the Cherry Street and Race Street Piers, or Eastern State Penitentiary, a haunting monolith that was at one time the largest and most expensive prison in the world.
In New Jersey, you’ll find that Princeton University is the ideal location for learning about composition. Get exclusive access to the inner workings of a boatyard at David Beaton & Sons in Brick or head to Bluestone Racehorse Farms in Hopewell for a lesson on lighting in the picturesque New Jersey countryside.
Whatever your pleasure, Princeton Photo Workshop offers the professional guidance and support you need to elevate the quality of your photos. That’s just one of the reasons why we’ve named Princeton Photo Workshop as one of the top photography workshops to attend in 2019-2020.