The Triennial of Photography Hamburg once again transformed the city into one of Europe’s leading destinations for contemporary photography. During my recent visit, I explored several of the festival’s major exhibitions, each demonstrating the remarkable breadth of photographic practice—from historical archives to experimental contemporary works.

One of the highlights was the exhibition dedicated to F. C. Gundlach at the Bucerius Kunst Forum. As one of Germany’s most influential fashion and portrait photographers, Gundlach’s work reflects both elegance and innovation. The exhibition traced his career through iconic images, revealing his lasting impact on fashion photography and his role in shaping the visual culture of post-war Germany. His ability to combine technical precision with narrative composition remains deeply inspiring.

The visit continued at the Deichtorhallen Hamburg, where F. C. Gundlach’s legacy extends beyond his own work. As the founder of the House of Photography, his vision helped establish Deichtorhallen as one of Europe’s foremost institutions for photographic art. The exhibitions on display reflected this commitment, presenting a rich dialogue between historical and contemporary photography while embracing installation, conceptual practice, and new visual languages.

Another inspiring stop was the Hamburger Kunsthalle, where photography is presented in conversation with painting, sculpture, and graphic arts. This interdisciplinary approach reinforces the medium’s place within the broader history of visual culture.

As an visual artist, I found the Triennial especially rewarding. The exhibitions highlighted how contemporary photography continues to move beyond documentation, embracing abstraction, material experimentation, and emotional storytelling. It was an inspiring reminder of photography’s evolving possibilities and of Hamburg’s important role as an international centre for photographic culture.