Michele Borgarelli, BPSA
October 2026 - Berlin Murals
About the Image(s)
When I visited Berlin, I booked a tour to explore murals that are part of the city today. I learned a lot about what is behind each of those. While walking around I saw this young lady framed by nature and colors of the murals. However, it looked her phone was more important of the surroundings.
Technical data: Fujifilm GFX 100Sii, Fujinon GF 45-100 f/4. 1/250s, f/11 ISO 80. Original image cropped and then basic adjustments done with Capture one.
7 comments posted
Michele, we also went to look at the murals, but the ones on the remaining pieces of the dividing wall between the Berlin's. This one looks more like a regular wall somewhere in the city and with some maturity given by the vegetation on them and around. Indeed the lady sitting on a cut tree stump, and of course, looking at the device on her hand, gives the image sense of modernity. Posted: 10/08/2026 13:36:05
Thank you Isaac for looking at the image and comment on it. If you go back there, try to get in one of these tour. Our guide was used to be a street artist and told us a lot of stories. I have posted another image of Berlin in the travel group 01, with the murals on the wall.
best
Michele Posted: 10/08/2026 15:13:32
best
Michele Posted: 10/08/2026 15:13:32
Michele, I really love your use of the rule of thirds, with the young lady serving as a strong anchor for the composition. As a big fan of graffiti art, I find murals like this incredibly engaging, and this one adds a great deal of visual interest to the image. Your composition is excellent. At first glance, I thought the mural might overpower the subject, but it strikes a perfect balance. The young lady's dark clothing provides a strong visual counterweight and keeps the viewer grounded in the frame while still allowing the artwork to shine. This is a well-executed image with excellent balance and storytelling. Nicely done, sir. Posted: 10/13/2026 23:24:48
Hi Kerry,
Thank you for providing such a detailed analysis of my image. I appreciate your comments, and I share your appreciation for graffiti art. I usually try to use graffiti and murals as a background element to create a different image rather than making them the primary subject. One of my photography teachers once told me that when you photograph a mural, you are essentially capturing someone else's artwork. To make the photograph truly your own, you need to add something of yourself to it, whether that is a person, a moment, an interaction, or another visual element that creates a new narrative.
That idea has stayed with me over the years and has influenced the way I approach these scenes.
Best wishes,
Michele
Posted: 10/14/2026 13:22:35
Thank you for providing such a detailed analysis of my image. I appreciate your comments, and I share your appreciation for graffiti art. I usually try to use graffiti and murals as a background element to create a different image rather than making them the primary subject. One of my photography teachers once told me that when you photograph a mural, you are essentially capturing someone else's artwork. To make the photograph truly your own, you need to add something of yourself to it, whether that is a person, a moment, an interaction, or another visual element that creates a new narrative.
That idea has stayed with me over the years and has influenced the way I approach these scenes.
Best wishes,
Michele
Posted: 10/14/2026 13:22:35
Michele -
The young woman fits in well the scene with what remains of funky Berlin (as it gentrifies). She has an enigmatic 'Mona Lisa smile', her face is framed by a succession of layers, including her glossy hair, the requisite hoodie sweatshirt, the murals, and the vegetation. The dead tree as a seat is telling of the overgrown and decaying nature of the surroundings.
The image is colorful, sharp, and well-framed - the cement on either side of the bottom help create a perfect triangle between them with woman's head at the top.
Too bad we cannot see more of the tattoos on her hands as I'm guessing there would be more on her arms but then she wouldn't be wearing the required hoodie.
B
Posted: 10/20/2026 21:18:01
The young woman fits in well the scene with what remains of funky Berlin (as it gentrifies). She has an enigmatic 'Mona Lisa smile', her face is framed by a succession of layers, including her glossy hair, the requisite hoodie sweatshirt, the murals, and the vegetation. The dead tree as a seat is telling of the overgrown and decaying nature of the surroundings.
The image is colorful, sharp, and well-framed - the cement on either side of the bottom help create a perfect triangle between them with woman's head at the top.
Too bad we cannot see more of the tattoos on her hands as I'm guessing there would be more on her arms but then she wouldn't be wearing the required hoodie.
B
Posted: 10/20/2026 21:18:01
Bruce,
thank you for taking the time to look and comment on my image. I much appreciate your detailed critique of it.
Best wishes
Michele Posted: 10/21/2026 13:08:57
thank you for taking the time to look and comment on my image. I much appreciate your detailed critique of it.
Best wishes
Michele Posted: 10/21/2026 13:08:57
Michele, this candid moment beautifully contrasts modern mobile culture with the vibrant urban art of Berlin. The subject seated on the stump provides a strong anchor against the rich backdrop, and her dark clothing grounds the composition well. To make her interaction with the phone pop even more against the energetic background, a slight selective brightening on the subject or a subtle crop on the right edge would tighten the focal point perfectly. Excellent visual balance and storytelling! Posted: 10/25/2026 14:49:56