With the Camera in the Sandy Sea and Mudflats of Baltrum

Experiences of a Travel Workshop for Analog Photographers

Hermann Groeneveld / SilvergrainClassics

Just imagine: Early May, you are walking barefoot through damp dune sand. The sea is rushing, the wind is blowing in your face, the seagulls are screaming incessantly. A small, enchanted forest with a whimsical tree backdrop enchants you like you’ve never seen before. You are amazed by the masterfully designed architecture that acts as a bulwark against brute waves during storm surges. And you have a camera in your hand, ready for the next perfect picture. This is exactly how our analog photo workshop on the East Frisian island of Baltrum began

What followed was a week full of light, stories and sand in our pockets (but hopefully not in the fine gears of our valuable photographic equipment). Our small, fine team – five passionate photographers, including a young woman, equipped with Leica cameras and medium format treasures such as Hasselblad, Kiev and Mamiya – had gathered to rediscover the island through the viewfinder. It was an honor for me to be in charge, supported by Marwan El Mozayen, co-publisher and editor-in-chief of the international magazine SilvergrainClassics.

From left: Andreas Hengst, Gundram Auerswald, Christian Kalberlah, Nina Kordes, Redelf Janßen, Marwan El Mozayen (SilvergrainClassics), Hermann Groeneveld (SilvergrainClassics)

Magical Places, Magical Light

Our focus was on capturing the special atmosphere of this island – whether with bizarre tree shapes in the enchanted island forest, the endless dune landscapes or the quiet power of the shelters at the western end of Baltrum. Then there was the bustling harbor life during the day, with horse-drawn carts, people and their luggage, with scenes of greetings and farewells. Or at the crack of dawn on the deserted quay, where the Baltrum ferry, bathed in the magical mixed light of the blue hour and a lantern, waits for customers.

Admittedly, the weather was almost too good – a steel-blue sky that just wouldn’t give up. No drama of a sudden change in the weather, no rainy mood, no seething clouds. Instead, there was all the more play with water, wind and light. Every day brought new compositions, new stories. And despite the lack of capricious weather: By the end of the week, everyone had shot their memory cards … no, film rolls of course ….

Analog, Real, Experimental

Thanks to ADOX from Berlin, we were able to work with the fabulously fine-grained black and white reversal film ADOX Scala 50. That’s right: real slides in black and white! Marwan showed us how to develop them directly on site – with JOBO equipment and a good portion of know-how. I supplemented the whole thing with a short excursion into the world of professional HDR scanning with the SilverFast Archive Suite on the Plustek OpticFilm 120 scanner. Not everything went smoothly, as is sometimes the case with analog processes. Northern German UV light probably played a trick on us during the second exposure of our films. Even photographer and author at SilvergrainClassics Lina Bessonova, consulted by telephone, was unable to explain the phenomenon. But: Marwan offered to post-process all the films in the Silvergrain Studio & Lab – with perfect results.

Culinary Delights, Cameras and Conversations

Our home base was the cozy Hotel Fresena with Tina and Frank Otto. After extensive photo walks (sometimes as early as half past four in the morning!), the always rich breakfast there tasted like a reward. And in the evening? That’s when things got sociable. A new restaurant every day, excellent food, good conversations.

The exchange among the participants was worth its weight in gold. The focus was not only on technique – it was about picture ideas, composition, the play of shadow and light. And, of course, catching the moment when everything is just right. There’s no doubt about it: the participants knew what they were doing. I didn’t really have to explain to them how to take photos. It was a pleasure for me as a leader to be able to work with so much experience and enthusiasm. To learn something new myself.

What Remains?

A week full of pictures, stories and creative energy. Friendships, insights, connections that will last. And the firm plan: we’ll be back.

So if you want to come along next time – camera ready, eyes focused, head full of picture ideas – then keep an eye on us on Workshops & Tours. Because Baltrum is waiting, and we look forward to seeing you.

Oh yes, a big thank you to Nina Kordes – she documented our week in wonderful pictures.