Hamburg

TLR Challenge: 5 – Hamburg

By Geoff Chaplin

I hate buying presents for birthdays. Generally if I buy something it’s not quite what the recipient wanted. I know my wife likes going to new places particularly in Europe so I decided to buy us a trip abroad. Neither of us had been to Hamburg. I’d heard it was in Germany but that’s pretty much where my knowledge ended.

Flights booked. We turned up at City Airport, queued for check-in, handed over our passports and the lady rushed off with them looking worried. She returned – with passports – everything OK but the 10-year anniversary of the issue date of my passport was in a week’s time and even though expiry was still nearly a year away I would not be allowed to travel under current regulations. We were booked for another journey just after our return from Hamburg so an urgent passport application was mentally booked for the day after our return. But for now panic over.

It turned out that Hamburg is virtually on the coast on a similar latitude to Manchester and is Germany’s second largest city. Like arriving in any new place we spent time just getting our bearings, checking where might be good to explore, and meanwhile I was taking my usual initial rubbishy shots. But plans made and opportunities tagged.

A walk to the river a little to the west and south of our hotel on a foggy day (featured image, FP4 in PMK) was then followed by another short walk north to Beatles-Platz Square. A distinctly dodgy area though probably much nicer than in the days the Beatles were here (see “The Beatles in Hamburg” on Wikipedia for the sordid details). Feeling uncomfortable – even in the middle of the day – we decided to head back east passing a park also in the fog.

Hamburg
Park, Rollei 400 in Rodinal

The hotel was only a two minute walk to the lake, the southern section built-up on three sides and half enclosed by extensive road works – and Hamburg rats (the size of cats according to the hotel receptionist). The northern part of the lake is more extensive and attractive. and a sunny day provided an opportunity for some more more minimal compositions.

Hamburg
Jetty, Rollei 80 in PMK
Hamburg
Reflections, Rollei 400 in PMK

The built-up part of the city near the canal also provided some interesting reflections on another sunny day. Note that the reflection of the domed building is on a faulty film – look at the reflections of the sky and you can see mottling on the image (more about this and other film faults in a later post).

Hamburg
Canal, Rollei 400 in Rodinal
Hamburg
Reflections, Rollei 80 in Rodinal

The St Nicholas Church designed by the English architect George Gilbert Scott was heavily bombed in WWII and only the spire – for two years the tallest building in the world – remains as a monument. At the southern end of the lake is another monument – initially to the 40,000 deceased soldiers from Hamburg in WWI then rebuilt as a monument to the dead in both wars.

Hamburg
St Nicholas Church spire, FP4 in PMK
Hamburg
Memorial to war dead, FP4 in PMK

Areas near railway lines often provide an interesting contrast to the spic-and-span city buildings.

Hamburg
Bucket. Rollei 80 in Rodinal

Images taken on Rolleiflex GX with no, yellow or red filters developed in Rodinal 100:1 stand or Bergger PMK pyro.

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About The Author

By Geoff Chaplin
Primarily a user of Leica film cameras and 8x10 for the past 30 years, recently a mix of film and digital. Interests are concept and series based art work. Professionally trained in astronomical photography, a scientist and mathematician.
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Comments

Daniel Emerson on TLR Challenge: 5 – Hamburg

Comment posted: 13/02/2025

Hi Geoff,
Like the my Reflections shot. you sure can bring the best out in B&W.
Cheers
Daniel
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/02/2025

Many thanks Daniel.

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Gary Smith on TLR Challenge: 5 – Hamburg

Comment posted: 13/02/2025

What a gorgeous set of images Geoff! Well done! I've been to a few towns in Germany over the years but never Hamburg. At this point it's unlikely that I'll ever make it as there are other locations on my bucket list. Thanks for your article! Do you feel that the Rollieflex influenced your composition selections as opposed to your usual Leica?
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Geoff Chaplin on TLR Challenge: 5 – Hamburg

Comment posted: 13/02/2025

Many thanks Gary. Yes composition was definitely influenced by square format - many would not have worked as 3x2. Square definitely forces a choice of a tighter set of subject matter.
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Tony Warren on TLR Challenge: 5 – Hamburg

Comment posted: 13/02/2025

Impressive results, Geoff - lens, film, photog. I think much of Hamburg's interest dates back to its Hanseatic League days which made it so prosperous. Much of it around the canal and the building along it in the center. Sounds as though it has gone downhill a little.
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/02/2025

Thanks Tony. Maybe I did Hamburg an injustice - compared to UK cities it seemed smart, modern plus some old parts, wealthy. No doubt a lot was lost in the wars.

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Jeffery Luhn on TLR Challenge: 5 – Hamburg

Comment posted: 13/02/2025

Really great compositions and tones. Your B&W work is stellar!
As we've discussed, I'm using PYRO CMK for shooting these days in sunny situations. Your CMK results have a lot of contrast, but hold highlights very well. Are you going for that dramatic look, or are your CMK negs more contrasty than mine? I'm not critical, by the way. The images are great. Just curious.
The fog shots are my favorite. Truly great. Great tones!
Jeffery
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 13/02/2025

Many many thanks Jeffery! Sometimes weather, equipment and locations come together to present great opportunities - far from everyday. Most images are close to straight scans, the reflections, spire and memorial I exaggerated the contrast in post.

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Alexander Seidler on TLR Challenge: 5 – Hamburg

Comment posted: 14/02/2025

Very good shots, Geoff !
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 14/02/2025

Thanks Alexander. Lucky combinations.

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Ibraar Hussain on TLR Challenge: 5 – Hamburg

Comment posted: 15/02/2025

Geoff my friend
Nice moody dark tones
Love it
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Geoff Chaplin replied:

Comment posted: 15/02/2025

Thanks again Ibraar. Weather and lighting made the images, I was just there with a camera!

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