Cube Berlin – Splintered Reflections

The Cube Berlin

Today, I’d like to share a collection of images of the so-called Cube Berlin with you that I took last month on a short trip to Berlin. This unique building is a definitive go-to location for any photographer. It deserves its name not only because of its overall cube-like shape but even more so because its surfaces are not flat but divided into shard-like sections, which are slightly tilted towards each other (if this makes any sense), resulting in a fascinating structure of cubistic appeal. Furthermore, because all surfaces are made of glass, the Cube Berlin mirrors the surrounding areas in a wonderfully fractured and slightly distorted way, offering many opportunities for abstract architectural photography.

Limitations

Working as a teacher allowed me to take a class trip to Berlin last month. However, the downside of this arrangement is that I only had 30 minutes with this building before I had to resume my duties, so I had to work quickly and intuitively without spending too much time thinking about my compositions. When in doubt, I decided to photograph variations of compositions and decide later which one would work best for me.

Future plans

This extraordinary building certainly deserves more time. Here is a list of things I couldn’t do due to the abovementioned limitations. It is my personal to-do-list for this location, but you can also read it as advice for what to consider if you should ever have the chance to visit the Cube:

• Try different focal lengths. I only had my 24-70 f4 lens. Wide angle, as well as longer zoom lenses, might be an alternative for showing the Cube Berlin in the context of its surroundings or interesting abstract detail shots.

• Visit the Cube Berlin several times for different light and weather conditions. 
• Play with a polariser for interesting abstract reflections. 
• Long exposures of the Cube Berlin with moving clouds and the River Spree in the foreground should look fantastic.

So, finally, here are the images I got from my 30 minutes with the Cube. Enjoy!