Faced with a pretty grim and rainy day in Munich, I loaded my Leica with 1 roll of Ilford HP5 and went to visit a museum and enjoy some beers in the Königsplatz next door. Here are my impressions.
Even the hardiest of photographers tend to give up if it is completely overcast and pouring rain. I nearly become one of them, but hoped for enough of a break in the rain to go for a short photowalk and take some black & white shots. I figured you can’t go very wrong with a roll of Ilford HP5+ 400 film, even if it is dreary and depressing outside. In good news, we found a beer tent and ended up getting some nice shots (not at all influenced by beer).
I visited the ‘Munich documentation centre for the history of National Socialism’ just opposite the Königsplatz, and luck had it that there was a small fair and beer tent in the plaza. I have been meaning to visit the NS Dokuzentrum for a while, I suppose it isn’t necessarily the most upbeat of topics to look into. It is actually a fascinating museum, documenting the founding (in Munich) and rise of the National Socialist German Workers' Party. It has loads of historical photographs of the city and extensive explanations of what happened over the years. I’m a big believer in history not being forgotten, but reflected upon. Aside from that, I’ve always thought the architecture of the museum was fascinating too. I refrained from taking many photographs inside, but I did manage to capture a few interesting architectural shots.
The remainder of the shots are taken in and around the Königsplatz, which is right in front of the museum. All shots taken with my Leica MP camera on one single roll of HP5 film, mostly with a 35mm lens.
Enroute to the Königsplatz you will walk by the Löwenbrau Keller. I am not a huge fan of this beer but I really like the architecture of the beer hall!
The crisscrossing lines in the shot are tram overhead lines.
A temporary ferris wheel installed in the Königsplatz. As Oktoberfest was cancelled this year, there have been many ‘pop up’ attractions with family friend events (and beer tents for the adults: win-win if you ask me!)
The Propylaea gate at the Königsplatz - more on its history here.
One of the many museums in the Königsplatz. This plaza was built in the 19th century and is home to a number of important historical museums. As a large square, it also played an important part in rallies before and during the World War.
I liked the layout of the lights in this shot (and I don’t mind a bit of glare either).
A very artistic and depressing shot at the same time!
A more festive shot!
One of my favourite shots of the roll. As you know, I am a bit fan of “looking up” in photography, and this is a good reason why.
Love the grainy nature of this shot - HP5 is great for that.
Rain, and more rain.
On the way up - a nice wide shot of the city with the Frauenkirche in the distance.
Most (all) of the people are in the beer tent in the top left of the shot!
I really like this shot - a side perspective of the museum, with real gritty grain and loads of personality from HP5 film.
I couldn’t resist but to take this shot inside the museum, always a big fan of symmetrical shots. Luckily I had my 35mm f1.4 lens with me and was able to shoot this handheld. You can see some vignetting on the side (typical of this Voigtlander lens), which ins this instance I think works quite well for the composition.
The only other shot I took inside the museum, showing an old photograph of Marienplatz in Munich covering the failed ‘beerhall putsch’. For history fans, more on that here.
Looking out to the Königsplatz from inside the museum and through some distinctly unclear windows - however I just love the mood in this shot!
Overall observations
As this is a short post, I don’t have extensive conclusions. I really enjoyed having a roll of film with me in case I saw some interesting compositions. I think what this post shows me is that even if the weather is absolutely dreadful, you can still get some nice black & white shots.
And if all else fails, a beer is usually a good way to finish the day.
See you next time!
Neil
