Meet Berlin Street Photographer Martin Waltz

Martin Waltz is a Berlin street photographer who aims to capture the mundanity of daily life in urban spaces. In doing so, his work often reveals the unusual. His photography is black & white and expertly contrasted. For Waltz, street photography is a passion first and foremost, and his has been met with international accolade.

What is the most unusual subject you’ve photographed in Berlin?
Actually, I do not look for the unusual. I’m more interested in the mundane and the ordinary. The combination of ordinary things can become quite unusual, though. But to answer the question: the two selfie shooting models were certainly unusual. As was the rundown American vintage car right next to the Berlin Wall.

What advice would you give to someone who was trying to break into the business?
Maybe that this is not so much a business, as in money making. It is a passion. Street photography is basically a way of communicating observations.
Where will you like to photograph next? What kind of planning goes in to street photography?
Places I will go this year beyond Berlin: Rhetymno, Crete and Krakow, Poland. Actually, there is very little planning involved. Basically grabbing the camera and leaving the house. Sometimes I have an idea where to go. Sometimes it is purely random.

What is your dream project?
My dream project is what I do, documenting the contemporary Berlin.
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People with backpacks, looks terrible in real life and looks terrible in photography. People, if you read this, please go for totes, you’ll look great, trust me. Thank you.
How would you describe your work in 80 characters?
Gritty, analytical, poetic. Somebody said: sublime melancholy at the dark side.

Pasta or sushi? Sushi
Apple or android? Apple and android
Picasso or Matisse? Picasso, but for my wall: Matisse.
Fame or money? Money
Morning or night? Morning, a long siesta, night.
Train or plane? Train

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.