Give Yourself an Photography Easter Egg: Go to Paris or Berlin

Every year when the light turns soft and the streets find a new rhythm, I notice the same thing: photographers return to the essentials. We slow down. We look longer. We rediscover why we shoot in the first place.

My workshops are always organic, which means we shift plans and actions based on the group’s needs and what we meet. True to the spirit of street photography. Meeting the unexpected and taking advantage of what happens.

Berlin. Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

These workshops are built around that reset. We’ll work on:

• Story first: Building sequences and mini-essays that hold together.
• Light mastery: Letting shadows and the absence of light shape mood and structure.
• Colour vs B&W: Making expressive, deliberate choices right there on the street.
• Manual Kelvin (WB): Practical ways to use manual WB and think like daylight film—for consistent colour you can trust.
• Negative space: Composing with air; letting emptiness carry emotion.
• Street craft: Ethics, approach, and timing without rushing.
• Workflow: From contact sheets to a clear, repeatable edit process.

Evenings include short, supportive review sessions so you leave with a tighter eye and a stronger sequence.

Paris. Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

What past workshops in Paris & Berlin have taught us

I’ve run intimate workshops in both cities, and every time the streets teach us anew:

• Paris rewards patience. The poetry is in the pauses—café windows with layered reflections, silhouettes on bridges, and that late-afternoon softness that makes colour sing even at low ISO. We often find that warmer tones deepen the mood when the light gets cool, and that manual Kelvin keeps the palette honest from street to interior.
• Berlin’s reward structure. Strong geometry, shadow corridors, and honest, human moments. Kreuzberg markets, U-Bahn platforms, and the clean lines around Museum Island encourage framing, negative space, and black-and-white discipline—but also offer incredible colour plays.

Berlin. Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

Paris in April — Notes & Neighbourhoods

Vibe: Poetic, patient, quietly cinematic.
Practice: Gentle light, layered reflections, and colour harmony.

What we’ll work with:

• Early light along the Seine—gesture, reflections, silhouettes.
• Île de la Cité & Le Marais—geometry and textures on calm side streets.
• Café interiors—low light with confident colour choices and simple compositions.
• Blue hour on the river—controlled mixed lighting and movement.

We’ll lean into manual WB/Kelvin where it helps the story, and we’ll explore when B&W says more with less.

👉 Book now: https://www.mortenalbek.com/vare/paris-workshop-september-17-18-2026/

Paris. Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

Berlin in May — Notes & Neighbourhoods

Vibe: Graphic, raw, confidently composed.
Practice: Strong lines, timing, and the dance between order and chance.

What we’ll work with:

• Kreuzberg & local sceneries—character, rhythm, human moments.
• Museum Island & Mitte—scale, leading lines, and shadow play.
• U-Bahn grids—frames-within-frames and decisive timing.
• Neon & dusk—colour contrast, reflections, and energy.

We’ll push negative space and sequence-building, with space to explore both colour and B&W approaches to the same scene.

👉 Book now: https://www.mortenalbek.com/vare/berlin/

Paris. Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH

Who it’s for

• You love Leica—M, Q, SL, film or digital—or any camera that gets out of your way.
• You’re comfortable with the basics and want to deepen your visual language.
• You value personal guidance in a small group, on real streets, with real light.

Language: The workshop runs in English (Danish available for smaller groups).

What’s included

• On-the-street coaching with live demos and short assignments.
• Pre-trip packing & prep guide so you arrive ready.
• Instant critique during the workshop
• Post feedback meeting online on Zoom and review of captured images with feedback, approximately three weeks after the workshop.

  We shoot in most weather—often the best pictures happen when conditions are imperfect.

What to bring

• Any camera (digital or film).
• A prime lens you trust (35/28/50mm equivalents are ideal). But bring what you prefer.
• Extra batteries/film, comfortable shoes, a small notebook, neutral clothing.
• Curiosity and time.

Book your spot

Places are limited to keep the experience personal and hands-on.

👉 Full details & booking: https://www.mortenalbek.com/

Give yourself that Easter egg: time, attention, and the space to grow. I can’t wait to walk and shoot with you.

— Morten