German travel photography tips: learning language with online tutors, checking transport, rules

A picture trip to Germany is being planned. I have a few suggestions for you after spending three years in Germany and traveling to a lot of its cities. They don't discuss the finest shooting sites or what equipment to bring for photography, though. They have a more pragmatic disposition.

SIM CARDS

You might want to rethink getting a local SIM card when you get in Germany. In Germany, purchasing a SIM card or a cell plan is not quite simple. Even if you have the time, energy, and required paperwork to complete the procedure, you'll almost certainly wind up spending dearly.

COMMUTER TRANSPORT

The majority of German cities have first-rate public transit. A one-day or three-day pass that provides you access to all public transit, including buses, trams, and the metro, is worthwhile to purchase for a brief trip (U-Bahn). Only employ the latter if you wish to save time. Use the trams and buses instead to explore the city. When I have the time, I usually play the bus, tram, and U-Bahn roulette, getting on a random bus or tram and getting off when I notice a cool place that's worth seeing.

USE OF TRANSPORT CARDS IN THE NATION

If you want to visit Germany, the train is your best option. Both regional and ICE trains—high-speed trains—are excellent in Germany. Consider purchasing a BahnCard 25 or BahnCard 50 if you want to travel frequently while staying in Germany for longer than a year. You may purchase rail tickets for 25% and 50% less using these cards, respectively. Because ICE train tickets are sometimes rather pricey, using a BahnCard might result in significant savings. But bear in mind that unless you cancel the card three months before to its expiration date, it will automatically renew for an additional 12 months.

IN-CITY TRANSPORT CARDS

There are a variety of rail ticket choices in the various German states. For instance, you may purchase a "Bayern-Ticket" in Bavaria. You may travel unrestricted in Bavaria for a whole day for €25 (or €31 for two people). But the ICE trains do not accept this ticket.

FOOD

When you are out taking pictures, a bakery is the perfect spot to acquire food if you start to feel hungry or peckish. In Germany, the majority of bakeries now provide salads, sandwiches, and even whole breakfasts in addition to cakes and pastries. Speaking of which, German hotel breakfasts are often extremely nice but can be rather expensive. Therefore, find out whether there is a bakery close before booking a hotel that includes breakfast. You can have a hearty breakfast there for less money.

STORES

Keep in mind that almost nothing is open on Sundays in Germany except from bakeries, restaurants, and shops in railway stations. Therefore, it is best to get everything you need before Sunday, whether it be a backup battery, a storage card, or anything else.

TALK WITH LOCALS IN GERMAN: LEARNING GERMAN WITH PRIVATE TUTORS

You should be aware that in Germany, privacy is very important and that carrying a camera about might draw attention. If you choose to use your camera in the presence of a Privat Grundstück (Private property) sign, be prepared to face confrontation from either a worried bystander or an inquisitive passerby. Using English in these situations is the best course of action for two reasons: it throws the person addressing you off their game and it instantly signals that you are a (perhaps foolish) foreigner. In other situations you need to know German well to ask permission for a photo. In order to learn the language quickly you can contact private german tutors here - https://livexp.com/skills/german. You can also learn the language on your own. A compact, covert camera like the Sony RX100-series may often help you avoid attention and unwanted interactions.

DON'T RESIST WHEN ASKING YOU TO STOP TAKING PICTURES

In general, security personnel in buildings and other locations don't play games. Expect to be ordered to stop taking pictures and leave the area entirely. In my experience, German security personnel are often kind but forceful. It is not advisable to shoot inside unless you first obtain authorization.

KEEP YOUR PASSPORT CLOSE AT HAND.

In Germany, it is a legal requirement that you always have a picture ID with you. If you're like the majority of non-German residents and tourists, which includes photographers, this means carrying your passport with you. The police have the power to request identification from you and inspect your baggage at train stations and airports without providing you a reason. Fair enough, I never experienced this, but the law is the law.

GET READY TO BE STUNNED AT

The German glare, which isn't really a hint but is nonetheless worth mentioning. There is such a thing, yes. If the Germans think you're worth staring at for whatever reason, they will. Your camera, your look, your language, or something else may be the problem. In any event, if you suddenly find yourself the target of a drawn-out look, don't panic. Consider it a compliment that the person who has your undivided attention finds you intriguing.