Reframing Berlin: A Photographic Exploration

Berlin is a city shaped by contrast, where layers of history meet bold, contemporary expression at nearly every turn. Once divided and now thriving, it has become a cultural capital defined by creativity, resilience, and reinvention. Its streets pulse with stories, from the ever-present remnants of World War II to the vivid murals of the East Side Gallery—the world’s longest open-air gallery. With nearly 200 museums and galleries, a strong visual arts presence, and a layout that offers space and stillness despite its scale, Berlin invites a photographic experience that is both dynamic and reflective. The city itself becomes a subject, offering scenes that shift from poetically quiet parks to urban grit, always rich with visual possibility.

Led by photographer and visual arts educator Kelly Lee Webeck, Reframing Berlin: A Photographic Exploration is a seven-day workshop built around a deep engagement with the city’s thriving photographic heart. Kelly Lee knows Berlin well, having lived in the city for the past four years. She uses this creatively rich city in her teaching practice, incorporating history, photography, and place to create an energizing, inspiring experience. She is fully engaged in its arts community and is excited to share her knowledge and network of friends and colleagues. 

This immersive experience blends neighborhood photo walks with curated access to some of Berlin’s most compelling photography institutions and creative spaces. You explore both the formal and informal networks that shape the city’s visual culture—visiting places like C/O Berlin, Fotografiska, the Museum für Fotografie, and Robert Morat Galerie, alongside stops at bookshops like Bildband Berlin and intimate artist-led studios. From a curator-led tour to a camera obscura boat ride, the workshop unfolds as a moving dialogue between past and present image-making. Through guided exercises, daily photographic practice, and artist talks, Kelly Lee creates space for you to experience Berlin not just as an observer but as an active participant in its contemporary photographic landscape.

Berlin’s layered history becomes a powerful element of the workshop experience. A visit to a former concentration camp invites reflection on how photography can function as both witness and response. Throughout the week, you encounter the city’s complex past from the remnants of the Berlin Wall to the scars of World War II and the Cold War. These historical touchpoints, paired with explorations of Berlin’s evolving neighborhoods and cultural identity, challenge you to consider how photographs can hold memory, mark transformation, and speak to both resilience and change. This experience encourages image-making that captures not only what’s visible, but what’s remembered and felt.

Whether a seasoned photographer or just beginning your creative journey, this workshop offers a unique blend of discovery, history, and immersive photographic experience in one of Europe’s most dynamic cities. You gain a deeper appreciation for Berlin’s rich visual culture from its historic roots to its cutting-edge contemporary scene while building a compelling portfolio that reflects the city’s complex spirit and vibrant energy.