Located in the western part of Berlin, in the district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, the International Congress Center (ICC) Berlin is a striking example of modern architecture. Since its grand opening in 1979, it has hosted countless conferences, trade fairs, and events, making it a key venue in the city’s cultural and business landscape.

A Rare Look Inside the ICC Berlin

During the event 48h ICC – Open Monument Day, I had the rare opportunity to photograph the interior of the International Congress Center Berlin, which has been closed since 2014.

Stepping inside feels like entering a massive engine room. The halls are vast, the corridors form a labyrinth, and the ICC’s construction—made of aluminum, glass, and concrete—gives the impression of being aboard a ship. The building’s sheer scale and distinctive design evoke both a sense of awe and an unexpected feeling of insignificance. One particularly striking detail is the extensive carpeting throughout the ICC—something rarely seen in modern buildings today, making it all the more remarkable.

Masterful Architecture: The Legacy of Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte

The true beauty of this building lies in its intricate details. Every angle and curve reflects remarkable planning and craftsmanship. With such precision, it’s no surprise that Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte were the visionary architects behind this masterpiece. As a team, they created an unforgettable structure with the ICC—one that embodies the futuristic vision and optimism of its time and has stood the test of time.

Timeless Beauty: The Enduring Fascination of the ICC

Inside, the building offers a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow, accentuating its architectural details. On the outside, the steel beams and façade create striking patterns, while the carefully chosen materials give the structure a distinctive aesthetic. For anyone passionate about architecture and design, experiencing the ICC up close and from within is an opportunity not to be missed.

Buildings are silent witnesses of time, outlasting generations. Yet, only a select few manage to captivate with such a distinctive aesthetic. In an era where cost and efficiency often dictate design, many new structures fade into uniformity. However, it is the unique and unconventional buildings that truly stand out—drawing in photography enthusiasts with their irresistible charm.

His musical journey began early, shaped by artists like Kid Cudi and Kanye West. By the age of 16, he was already experimenting with his first beats in his childhood bedroom, laying the foundation for his future career.

Sam vs. Die Welt

In 2018, he released his debut EP "Sam vs. Die Welt", which impressed not only with its innovative sound but also with its profound lyrics. This EP attracted a loyal fan base and established Sam James in the music scene.

However, his true breakthrough came in 2022 with his virtual reality album "Sam vs. Die Welt 2", which was celebrated as groundbreaking in the German music scene.

Sam James – Radioaktiv

And it looks like he’s not slowing down: In 2023, his next project, "Radioaktiv," is already in the pipeline, developed in collaboration with the talented producers Severin Ahn and Ralf Meyer.

I had the opportunity to photograph him. These striking images were taken during the video shoot for his song "Königin der Nacht" and offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse.

While Dung was filming the video for "Big Bees", I took the opportunity to capture some shots.

The weather during my stay was consistently rainy. Despite that, I explored the city’s most famous landmarks, especially the art and design museums, which were truly impressive. They offer a fascinating insight into Scandinavian design history and are a must-visit for anyone interested in the field.

One of Copenhagen’s most famous landmarks is Nyhavn, with its charming, colorful houses. Its picturesque setting made it an irresistible subject for photography.

My trip to Copenhagen was an enriching experience, and I’m looking forward to returning soon. The city’s dynamic culture and design scene offer endless opportunities for exploration, and I can’t wait to discover even more of its many wonders. Until then, I’ll cherish the memories.

As soon as I entered, I noticed the modern equipment and the cozy atmosphere. Erk Gotti was deeply immersed in his work but still took the time to give me insights into the track creation process.

Shorty Vibes has collaborated with some major names in German rap in the past, including Noah, Eno, Hava, Eren Can, Batu, and Monet192.

While photographing Erk Gotti and the studio, I could feel the creativity and dedication that filled the space.

Thanks to Erk Gotti for the opportunity and for sharing his passion. I’m excited to see what he creates next…

Admittedly, the scans could be a bit cleaner—I ask for your understanding. But in a way, these imperfections add an unmistakable authenticity to the images. The CineStill 800T film proved to be the perfect companion for capturing the essence of the night.

In this post, I invite you to join me on my nighttime wanderings and share some of my favorite shots.

CineStill 800T: The Perfect Film for Night Photography

As a lover of analog photography, I am always looking for new ways to experiment with different types of film. When I first heard about CineStill 800T and its impressive low-light capabilities, I was immediately fascinated and knew I had to try it.

Originally developed for the film industry, this film has also gained popularity in the photography world. Many photographers appreciate it for its exceptional ability to capture brilliant images even in challenging lighting conditions.

Photographing Berlin at night is always an adventure for me. The city reveals a different side of itself, as if shedding a mask to show its true face. Illuminated buildings whisper stories from the past, neon signs flicker in the alleyways, and the restless nightlife hums quietly in the background.

In the deserted, silent streets, the architecture takes on a different character. Some buildings seem to rest peacefully in soft light, others appear to be waiting for their imminent demolition, while some proudly stretch their glowing windows into the night. As you wander through the alleys, you might catch a glimpse of a rat darting briefly across the pavement.

These moments of stillness have inspired me to reach for my camera and capture the unique atmosphere of the night.

In my photos, I always tried to slightly overexpose to capture the light more effectively and achieve the best possible result.

Tips for Using CineStill 800T

Using Artificial and Mixed Light: CineStill 800T is a tungsten-balanced film designed for artificial lighting with a color temperature of 3200 Kelvin. When used in daylight, it produces cool, blue tones. If you want to correct these cool tones in daylight shots, an orange screw-on filter can be helpful.

Experimenting with Exposure: This film handles overexposure well (try rating it at ISO 400 or 200). In darker environments, slightly overexposing can help bring out more details.

Using a Tripod: In low-light conditions, longer exposure times may be necessary. Having a tripod on hand can be useful to prevent motion blur and ensure sharper images.

Doing a Test Run: If you’re using this film for the first time, it’s a good idea to shoot a test roll. This will help you understand how the film reacts to different lighting conditions.

There is something special about walking alone through a city like Berlin at night. The streets are quiet, the air is crisp, and you feel both free and connected to the city itself.

Night photography can sometimes be challenging. But I also find it exciting to venture into the dark streets of the city and let my camera guide me.

In mid-2019, I temporarily put my passion for analog photography on hold. As much as I love and appreciate the art of shooting on film, I found the price development for film and processing disproportionately high compared to previous years.

It’s not about the value itself—photography and what I can express through it are very important to me. But after being accustomed to certain prices for decades, it was difficult for me to accept the current price increases, no matter how much I love film.

Growing up near Hamburg, his family’s literary background introduced him to German poetry. His father, a journalist, nurtured his passion for lyricism. However, it was US rap that captivated him the most during his youth. By the late 2000s, he had started creating his first tracks.

A major milestone came when Samy Deluxe discovered one of his mixtapes. This led to their collaboration on Gute Alte Zeit in 2014. After this breakthrough, John took a step back to refine his style. In 2017, he made a comeback with the EP S01E01, produced by Figub Brazlevic.

Recently, I had the chance to capture John Known through my lens. In this spontaneous moment, he revealed himself as a truly authentic artist. If you haven’t listened to his music yet—especially Season 1 Episode 1—you should definitely change that.