I’d solely been to Hamburg as soon as earlier than: within the depths of winter, when hunkering down in a dingy St Pauli bar was the principle intention of the journey. However Hamburg in summer time is a distinct story.
On a sweltering day in August, I employed a motorbike and went west, out of the town centre, alongside the River Elbe. I had been advised there have been city seashores alongside the river and I used to be eager to have a look.
Away from the town’s hustle, I ended to admire a cheerful-looking pink lighthouse on the water’s edge. A terrace of cafes and eating places seemed over the river, with waiters dashing from side to side with giant trays of beer and snacks for his or her many purchasers. Over the opposite facet I might see an extended stretch of sand, teeming with sunseekers.
A slim path led behind the eating places, parallel to the seaside. On my proper have been dainty, picture-perfect wood homes, with roses across the door and parasols peeking jauntily from home windows. Gardens belonging to the homes have been on the opposite facet of the trail to my left, with households enjoying on the grass and aged {couples} sipping cool drinks within the shade.
Past the gardens was a seaside scene like no different. A strip of sand, possibly 50 metres broad, was filled with folks sunbathing, constructing sandcastles, enjoying seaside video games and usually doing what folks do on seashores. It appeared like all of Hamburg was on the seaside that day. However what made it extraordinary was the backdrop. Immense container ships cruised previous, inflicting waves to crash on the shore for excited younger youngsters to leap over. And on the far facet of the river stood colossal industrial cranes, like big steel beasts, surveying the sun-drenched spectacle.
I walked a little bit additional, previous the Ahoi Strandkiosk, and located a spare metre of sand to myself. A gaggle of pals have been enthusiastically enjoying volleyball within the water in entrance of me. I took a artful shot, pondering they may not admire having their picture taken. But it surely quickly grew to become obvious that nobody on this beautiful summer time’s day gave a hoot about some girl taking images on a crowded seaside. I snapped away at every little thing and everybody. This scene is a favorite due to the second of carefree happiness captured between pals, in opposition to the backdrop of the town’s harbour giants – these majestic steel cranes.
• Celia Topping is a photographer and journalist primarily based in Berlin and London
Supply: www.theguardian.com
