Instagrammer In Focus: Got Berlin's Culture Clash

Got Berlin is the brain child of US/German photographer Marie Schimming-Múñiz. Internationally-minded (she was born in France, grew up in Germany and now splits her time between the West Coast and the Hauptstadt), it was on a trip to LA that Schimming-Múñiz felt a pang of Heimweh (homesickeness) for Berlin. From that, Got Berlin – a play on the Americanism Got Milk? – was born. The account was an overnight success, attracting 20,000 followers in its first year alone.

A classic Berlin skyline gets the Got Berlin treatment . View from Panoramapunkt at Potsdamer Platz, April 2015 © Schimming-Múñiz

Hence, her work showcases plenty of shots of the traditional tourist sights, but often shot from unusual angles, and always with some distance from their classic interpretations. Her account demonstrates a preoccupation with the natural and the urban and their discomfort together, and she also has a shrewd eye for Berlin’s complicated and dark history. Of course, Schimming-Múñiz is also a Berlin local, so there are examples of everyday Berlin as well: current events, demonstrations, Christmas markets, festivals, the UBahn of course, street art, and the inescapable blue and pink pipes.

She talks us through some of her favorite photos.

For the most part Schimming-Múñiz relies only on her iPhone 5s camera to shoot her images, although occasionally she’s also use a Canon Power Shot Sx40 PC1680, too. As much as possible, Got Berlin’s image’s are unedited, but in the dead of winter when the light is bad, Schimming-Múñiz will use Photoshop to touch the images up.

“Berliner Dom is another iconic structure in Berlin. The Brandenburger Tor and the Reichstag are also very iconic symbols of Berlin, but I find this cathedral to be the most beautiful. I do not know anyone who isn’t mesmerized by this building. Another reason why I love shooting the Berliner Dom is you can see ‘that tower again’. Here you see the contrast between old and new—which I find is a very important theme in general in Berlin. The Fernsehturm is also the tallest structure in Europe, and I have always used it as my personal compass for the city. Almost everyone who comes to Berlin visits these structures.” August 2015. © Schimming-Múñiz | Got Berlin

The sunsets behind the Fernsehturm © Schimming-Múñiz

“I wanted them to look at my photos and say ‘I was there! I remember that!'”

“Berlin is a lovely place in summer. People jump to go outside when the sun shines. Some popular activities include going to the Mauerpark to watch or participate at the Bearpit karaoke in Mauerpark, which is such a fun Sunday activity. You can see how many people go to watch and simply enjoy the terrible singing and wonderful weather.” © Schimming-Múñiz | Got Berlin

“This photo was taken by Hauptbahnhof at Capital Beach. This shot embodies many of the themes I cover. It showcases the contrast between city and nature. We have modern structures in the background next to a river. It depicts daily Berlin activities of relaxing and drinking a beer. It also showcases the Spree and the Fernsehturm, two very iconic things in Berlin. © Schimming-Múñiz | Got Berlin

“The famous Fernsehturm is prominently showcased in many of my photos and one can really see its great stature.”

“These pictures also show the big bike culture in Berlin. Bike is a popular form of transportation, and more so than other cities I have visited.” © Schimming-Múñiz

“Berlin is covered with graffiti. It is absolutely welcomed and large murals of graphic art can be seen all over the city. One of the most popular sights, and where a lot of graffiti is found, is in the Hackesche Höfe.”

Another shot from Hackesche Höfe © Schimming-Múñiz

“The blue pipes, and sometimes pink pipes, are something distinctly Berlin.” © Schimming-Múñiz

View of the waterfall at Viktoria Park. “Berlin is one of the largest cities in Europe, and more often known for its urbanism. However, the city is the greenest city in Europe; it has more water running through it than Venice, and has over 2,500 public parks and 73,000 gardens according to Visit Berlin. Therefore, I find it very important to showcase the nature that exists in the city. Nature is everywhere here, and I find it a shame not to take notice, enjoy it, and pay tribute to it.” © Schimming-Múñiz | Got Berlin

“Spending part of my time in Los Angeles, I have been able to see some beautiful California sunsets. However, Berlin has beautiful sunsets, too (which is my usual caption for Got Berlin sunset pictures). Despite being a “gray city,” Berliners are still fortunate to see some nice sunsets both during winter and summer. The natural sunsets are also a nice contrast to the city like structures.” © Schimming-Múñiz | Got Berlin

“It’s that tower again”

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