Photowalks on the Industrial Heritage Route – Autumn Edition

 

The photo walks along the Industrial Heritage Route are all about discovering very special places together. Always present – the camera, with which the old mines, dumps, and industrial facilities are recreated. The variety is provided not only by the different locations, from the Henrichenburg Ship Lift to the Zollern Colliery to the Bochum Railway Museum, but also by the various photographic themes, which are approached in creative ways depending on the respective location. 

While the Hagen Open-Air Museum focuses on reportage, the photo walk through Duisburg's inner harbor focuses on architecture at the "blue hour." The Bochum Mining Museum focuses on the creative use of light and flash. And at Hohenhof, magnificent green spaces with fountains, bushes, and colorful asters await macro photographers—to name just a few examples. 

During the photo walks, experienced speaker and photo coach Dirk Böttger offers numerous practical photography tips. These range from basic phone or camera settings to creative ideas like double exposure or Instagram-style images. In addition to photography techniques, the course also covers image composition. 

The old mines and industrial facilities have a special atmosphere and offer many interesting motifs that can be captured with simple, creative means. Whether young or old, professional, amateur, or smartphone photographer – everyone is welcome to join us for a walk with their camera. 

Since the group size is limited to a maximum of 12 people, everyone is welcome to ask questions and share their own photo ideas. The price for each photo walk, which lasts approximately two and a half to three hours, is €25 (including admission). 

Overview and booking of all photo walks:

BOOKING PHOTOWALKS

Photo Walks October 2025

10 October 2025

Photowalk Jahrhunderthalle Bochum: A detour into the underworld

The listed Jahrhunderthalle is a landmark of the Ruhr region – once a gas-fired power station, now an impressive event venue. On the photo walk, participants explore not only the impressive industrial architecture but also the hall's hidden underworld: former supply shafts that once connected entire production facilities in Bochum. Extraordinary motifs are guaranteed – from monumental steel structures to mysterious corridors. Photography instructor Dirk Böttger will provide practical tips on image composition and demonstrate how these motifs can be captured in exciting ways using various techniques. The meeting point is at 17.30:XNUMX p.m.
11 October 2025

German Mining Museum Bochum: Up and down

Fascinating objects such as the chain cutter, tunnel cutter, and hammer drill are showcased in the perfect light using creative lighting techniques. Under the guidance of photo trailer Dirk Böttger, various methods for creating impressive images using flashlights, reflectors, and strobes will be demonstrated – from long exposures to HDR. The starting point is the museum entrance, from where you'll descend 1,2 km into the mine to photographically capture machines and details from the miners' daily work. The experience concludes with atmospheric shots of the illuminated Germania headframe at dusk. The meeting point is at 14:30 p.m.
12 October 2025

Photowalk Villa Hohenhof: Architecture and Asters

Villa Hohenhof in Hagen is considered a masterpiece of Art Nouveau. Once the home of Karl Ernst Osthaus, it impresses with its artistic design, intricate details, and harmonious lines. During the photo walk, participants have the special opportunity to capture both the impressive architecture and the elegant interiors from different perspectives. The surrounding park, with its manicured gardens, picturesque paths, and romantic bridges, also offers a variety of motifs – ideal for landscape, detail, and macro photography. It is particularly atmospheric at sunset, when the light bathes the scene in warm colors. Photographer Dirk Böttger will vividly demonstrate techniques for lighting, perspective, and image composition on site. Meeting point is at 14 p.m.
17 October 2025

Buchum Railway Museum: Train by Train

More than 50 historic locomotives and railcars – from steam locomotives to Transrapids – will offer fascinating motifs for all photography enthusiasts on the grounds of the Bochum Railway Museum on October 17. During the photo walk, participants will discover industrial history with their cameras: Whether classic black and white or a creative color composition – anything that inspires is allowed. An eye for detail is just as important as the courage to experiment creatively. The meeting point is at 14 p.m.
18 October 2025

Photowalk Zeche Zollern: The jewel

With its magnificent gables, ornate brick facades, and impressive Art Nouveau portal, the Zollern Colliery looks more like a manor house than a former mine—it's not for nothing that it's called the "Castle of Labor." On October 18, participants in this photo walk will have the opportunity to photograph this architectural highlight of industrial culture. Whether from the 46-meter-high winding tower or in the machine hall, creative multi-image techniques such as HDR, panorama, and double exposure will be used. Black-and-white photography also plays a central role: reduced tonal values and a keen sense of light and shadow sharpen the eye for detail. Another focus is on playing with sharpness and blur, which opens up exciting creative possibilities with fast lenses. The meeting point is at 15 p.m.