A Sunday photowalk around the centre of Munich finds classic cars, architecture, museums, and plenty of strong lighting and shadows. Join me for a black & white journey back in time.
These shots were taken a few weeks ago back at the end of October. I home developed the negatives and scanned them on the same day I shot them, then I duly left them and forgot I had done all the work! Thankfully I remembered I had these as I was planning my scanning of a bunch of negatives from some recent hiking trips. These shots are from a Sunday photowalk in and around the Maxvorstadt area of Munich.
A bit about the gear
Today’s shooting configuration: Nikonos V loaded with Agfa APX 100 film and a Rolleiflex loaded with a roll of Ilford HP5. I had no theme in mind other than looking for some interesting compositions and finding an old forecourt with a classic car in it that I had driven by a few weeks earlier. I really enjoy the combination of 35mm and medium format cameras; it works really well for those quick snapshots on 35mm versus the more thought out medium format shots.
One of my favourite photos of the day, shot on Agfa APX 100, which incidentally is worth under €5 and is easily available in German drugstores. Love the contrast and grey tones in this shot.
Always look up. Some great shadows in this shot.
It took me ages to frame this shot (on a Rolleiflex). I really like the sharpness of the shot, but I kind of wish it had a shadow going right through the middle of it. I think I was drawn to the different greys and textures in the composition.
The famous Metropol Garage. I believe this is actually an art gallery, although it seems part of the display is the old forecourt and classic Porsche in front. There are always people passing by and stopping to take photographs, and I can completely understand why!
I won’t put comments on each and every shot I took (as I took quite a few). I am really happy with the HP5 shot on medium format (the square and close up shots). I chose those as it is ISO 400 and figured I could shoot my Rolleiflex handheld rather than lugging around a big tripod.
Through the viewfinder shot.
The final shot - quite happy with how it came out, although I nearly cropped out the top left part of the shot.
Always a huge fan of shadow and strong lighting shots.
Right in the middle of Maxvorstadt (college area of Munich) is a fine arts and interior design academy, in Renaissance-style (1800s) architecture. Shot on my Rolleiflex.
Another shot of the entrance to the academy.
I love this shot. It took me ages to get the composition right. I absolutely love medium format film for its sharpness. I was surprised how sharp this came out as HP5 is usually quite grainy, although tends to be more for 35mm film version.
Shot right at the sun on purpose - I was looking for a result like this, but I was also curious how the Nikonos 35mm lens would deal with such high contrast in the scene.
Looking straight down to the ‘Friedensengel’, along the Prinzregentenstrasse, which has loads of museums along it. You can tell it is Sunday as the streets are so empty.
Bayerisches Nationalmuseum.
Inside the courtyard of the museum, always a big fan of shadows!
I really like this composition, I may come back with my large format camera to re-take this shot.
Friedensengel statue view through (the legs of) another statue!
A more classic shot.
The Eisbachwelle.
My last shot of the Rolleiflex. It took me ages to get the right angle and lighting on this art piece, but I quick like the result.
Overall observations
I really enjoyed this photowalk through Munich. I particularly enjoyed having the Nikonos and Rolleiflex combo, each with just one roll of film and walking through the streets until I was finished. I was particularly happy with the Ilford HP5 (medium format) and surprised how sharp it was - I find the 35mm version very grainy in comparison. I am also a big fan of the Agfa APX 100 film, it is very easily available and at a great price point. Otherwise not a lot more to comment on from this simple photowalk, I hope you enjoyed the photos as much as I did taking them!
Thanks for stopping by,
Neil
