Saturday felt special from the very first hello. The Leica Akademie workshop in Copenhagen sold out—and then overbooked—so we squeezed in an extra participant and embraced the energy that comes with a full, curious room. The group’s enthusiasm was contagious; everyone leaned in, asked sharp questions, and took it all in.

We kicked off at Leica Store Copenhagen (Ny Østergade 3) with a short talk to set the scene—what we’d practice, how we’d move, and why light would be our main character for the day. From there, we stepped outside and let the city do what it does best: offer up light, geometry, and small street stories at every corner. From Metro underground to the charming edges of Nyhavn.

Pictures in this post, all done with Leica M11, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH.

Starting at Leica Store Copenhagen

Inside the store, I shared a quick presentation with images to frame the day’s intent: see light first, then let shapes and structure carry the composition while people add rhythm and scale. It’s a simple idea, but once it clicks, everything else becomes easier. The workshop was organised with Leica Akademie Nordics, and a few participants took advantage of the option to borrow a Leica M, SL, or Q for the day—great tools, but, as always, the real magic happens in how we see.

Also, a Canon was involved. Just to mention, because all cameras are welcome at any of my workshops, but of course, and overweigth of Leicas on a workshop arranged by Leica.

A Walk for Light, Geometry, and Street Stories

Out on the streets, we found scenes where light skimmed across façades, cut clean shapes out of shadow, and made simple edges speak. We worked through quick exercises—how to read direction and contrast, how to build a frame with edges and planes, and how to time a human presence so it adds life without taking over. Light strokes and indirect like.

Even on a cloudy day, where the sun only came through a little, light and contrast are possible. If you know how to see it and control the camera.

“Light and shapes” was the thread we kept returning to. We practised making deliberate choices—exposure that protects the highlights, or let them blow out (it´s a choice), depth of field as punctuation, and a simplified setup that lets intuition move faster than menus. Tips, tricks, and little insights turned into pictures within minutes.

The Best Part: Your Feedback

At the end of the day, your feedback made everything worth it. Hearing how the approach unlocked new ways of seeing is exactly why I love teaching. Selling out this first Leica Akademie workshop gives me real confidence that we planned it right—and that we’re on the right path together.

I left feeling genuinely happy: inspired by the images you made and grateful to share how I think about photography—starting with light, shaped by geometry, open to the stories that unfold when we’re patient.

What We Focused On (and Why It Works)

• Light first: let brightness and shadow define the frame; composition gets easier when light does the heavy lifting.
• Shapes and structure: use edges, planes, and repetition so the city carries the picture, with people as scale and rhythm.
• Intentional exposure: protect highlights, or let them blow out deliberately, embrace contrast, and let tonality tell the story.
• Keep it simple: fewer variables, faster decisions, stronger pictures.

What’s Next — Join Me on a 2‑ or 3‑Day Workshop in Europe

More workshops are on the way. You can already book 2‑ or 3‑day workshops with me around Europe:

• 2‑day workshops include an online after‑critique a little while after we finish—space to review, reflect, and refine.
• 3‑day workshops include post‑editing and an after‑critique on location, so we close the loop from capture to final image.

If “light + shapes” resonates with you, look into it—and let’s take the next steps together. There are dates set for 2026 and 2027.