Sebastian Jacobitz is a street photographer from Berlin, Germany, whose output I’ve been aware of for a while now.
This is mainly due to following him on Twitter.
I was naturally very happy to receive an email from Sebastian with his submission for a guest post here on My Favourite Lens. Then I opened it, looked at the photographs, and was even happier.
Sharing other people’s work on here means presenting styles I may not shoot, and that’s certainly the case with Sebastian’s set here; shot at night, with a longer exposure and using the flash.
More importantly, it means I can present more quality work than I can produce alone. I believe that’s again the case with Sebastian’s set here.
I’ll let the man himself talk you through it, and then I’ll come back with some more thoughts of my own afterwards.
Berlin Christmas Markets & Ku’Damm by Sebastian Jacobitz
“The Berlin Ku’Damm is the most prominent shopping street in Berlin.
Normally the street is filled with people looking for the newest dresses or cellphones. But when the sun leaves the scene, another characteristic is visible.
Almost like a blurry dream, the series displays another side of the street. Creating those scenes with a flash and a longer shutter speed, the characters of the people become a different twist.
Unimpressive, mundane & usual at day.
Extraordinary, gritty & wild at night.
This is Berlin in a photography series.
The photos were taken during the Christmas time in Berlin.
The Ku’Damm is enlightened with all the Christmas decoration and offer a unique opportunity for this kind of street photography.
Often times we feel less motivated during the winter. Especially for photography, there seems this prejudice that we need good light in order to create good photographs.
Often times I even hear that street photographers don’t want to go out for a photo walk when it is a little cloudy or rains a bit.
With this series, I wanted to challenge myself.
Street photography is always possible no matter the circumstances. Wherever I go I take the camera with me.
A small Ricoh GR makes that possible.
Since street photography is about life and life mostly happens on the Christmas market during that time of the year I wanted to show the different facets.
Some people are more joyful because of the delicious hot wine. Others seem more lost in thought.
Either way, the light of the festive decorations in the background allowed me to create these blurry images.
With the flash in my hand, I am my own master. I don’t need to rely on the sun upon illuminating the scene, but I can consciously direct the focus.
Street photography with a flash is also way easier than expected.
If you haven’t tried it out, don’t miss that opportunity.”
Lee’s thoughts
I’m a huge proponent of street photography projects, be they long-term or made in one night.
This set from Sebastian is of course more of the latter, though either is better than a random collection of images.
As mentioned earlier, I don’t shoot this kind of street photography. I don’t shoot at night, I don’t use a flash, and I don’t use longer exposures.
But I do like the results Sebastian gets when he does.
The sharpness of the lit-up faces alongside the blurred lights is surreal; especially in the shots where the light streaks across a face.
There was a call to try this technique at the end there from Sebastian, which I hope inspires someone – maybe you – to head out with their camera when they otherwise might not have done.
If that is you, then be sure to let me and / or Sebastian know how it went. 😀
You can of course submit whatever you come up with as a guest post here too.
And if you want to get in touch with Sebastian, or check out everything else he’s producing, there are plenty of ways you can do so.
Facebook of course, Instagram obviously, and Twitter as mentioned.
He also blogs on street photography over at Street Bounty and is a member of the Berlin1020 street photography collective.
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Want to get your work on My Favourite Lens too?
Go here and see how you can. 🙂
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