Contemporary Urban Photography

By Ulrich Wollborn

Exploring light, shadow, and form as powerful expressions of social and cultural dynamics in the city.

Black and white photo of the statue "Marlies" from the 10 Pillar Saints by artist Christoph Pöggeler, standing on a Litfaß column, looking up towards the Rheinturm tower in Düsseldorf under an overcast sky.

Look up!

Black and white photo of a snow-covered sculpture by Günther Uecker in a winter landscape in front of the Steigenberger Parkhotel in Düsseldorf.

Nailed it.

Two people stand on a snow-covered hill next to a fence under a gray, overcast sky.

Two people in the snow.

Black and white photo of an old, abandoned gas station featuring tiled columns and walls covered with graffiti, peeling paint, and a worn entrance door. The site shows signs of neglect and urban decay, with scattered debris and faded signage.

There is no gas here anymore I.

Black and white photo of an old, abandoned gas station featuring tiled columns and walls covered with graffiti, peeling paint, and a worn entrance door. The site shows signs of neglect and urban decay, with scattered debris and faded signage.

There is no gas here anymore II.

Black and white photo of an old, abandoned gas station featuring tiled columns and walls covered with graffiti, peeling paint, and a worn entrance door. The site shows signs of neglect and urban decay, with scattered debris and faded signage.

There is no gas here anymore III.

Black and white photo of a foggy river landscape featuring a modern suspension bridge spanning the water, a cargo boat moving along the river, and a paved riverside walkway with benches and planters on a cloudy day.

Foggy River Scene with Modern Suspension Bridge and Cargo Boat.

Black and white photo of an old industrial metal structure with pipes and scaffolding beside a river, with a fog-covered city skyline and the silhouette of the Rheinturm tower visible in the background.

Industrial Structure by the River with Foggy Cityscape in the Background.

Black and white photo of Düsseldorf’s skyline featuring the Rheinturm tower partially obscured by fog, modern buildings including the iconic Gehry-designed structures, and boats docked along the river on a cloudy day.

Media Harbor with the Rhine Tower.

A black and white photo showing the silhouette of a railing against a clear sky. The composition emphasizes clean lines, contrast, and minimalist urban form.

Skyline Railing.

A black and white photo of a bridge taken from below, showing strong diagonal lines created by the bridge's railings and shadows, with a clear sky in the background and a streetlight pole visible on the left side.

Diagonal Perspectives.

A black and white photo showing a narrow horizontal beam of light illuminating a textured concrete surface, surrounded by deep shadows. The composition highlights contrast, texture, and minimalist urban geometry.

Concrete Slice.

Black and white image of a blurred train moving along railway tracks in an urban area with leafless trees and residential buildings in the background.

Always in a hurry, but always late.

A black and white photo of an 'Autotechnik' garage or workshop entrance with large glass doors and tiled walls. Various signs and posters are visible inside the right-hand section, under fluorescent lighting.

Old, but gold and still alive.

Black-and-white photo of a multi-story brick apartment building with a row of garage doors and a central entrance on the ground floor. Above are multiple windows and small balconies. In the foreground, a street with tram tracks and road markings is visible, with a blurred figure, a cyclist, moving quickly on the right, conveying a sense of urban motion.

Six-car garage with an attached ten-bedroom living unit, with a cyclist casually riding by.

Black and white photo of a modern library building with large windows, reflected in glass showing bare tree branches and surrounding architecture, creating a layered and artistic effect. The word "Bibliothek" is visible on the building facade.

Modern Library Building with Reflective Glass and Bare Trees.

Black and white photo showing the intricate reflection of leafless tree branches on a calm water surface, with scattered leaves floating and a textured ground visible beneath the water.

Reflection of Bare Tree Branches on Water Surface.

Black and white image showing the reflection of a modern building with large windows and a cobblestone courtyard in tall glass panels. A person is walking in the background, and the scene captures geometric patterns and architectural details through the reflections.

Modern Reflections of Modern Architecture in Glass Panels

Black-and-white photo of a sculpture of a woman with a serious expression, which is part of the Bismarck Monument in Düsseldorf. The allegorical figure of Industry rests her right hand on a hammer, which is not visible in the image, symbolizing industrial strength. The sculpture was created by the Düsseldorf sculptor Wilhelm Albermann (1835–1913). In the background, blurred houses and a street can be seen.

Allegorical Figure of Industry at the Bismarck Monument in Düsseldorf.

Black and white photo of the sculpture "The Blacksmith with Boy" created by artist Joseph Hammerschmidt in 1901, depicting an older blacksmith teaching a young boy, both detailed with expressive faces and clothing, symbolizing craftsmanship and mentorship.

The Blacksmith with Boy Sculpture by Joseph Hammerschmidt, 1901.

Close-up black and white photo of the bronze sculpture "Harmonie" by Aristide Maillol, created around 1940. The statue, donated by Hugo Henkel and dedicated in memory of Heinrich Heine, stands in the Hofgarten at Napoleonsberg in Düsseldorf, showing a serene female figure with a calm expression.

Bronze Sculpture Harmonie by Aristide Maillol in Düsseldorf Hofgarten.