Fotoeins Fotografie

location bifurcation, place & home

About

This Site in 10 Words

  • German-speaking countries, beyond stereotypes.
  • Observations of urbanity and cultural heritage.

Here’s This Guy

Inquiries

I write and photograph locations I’ve visited in person. To inquire about:

  • commissions or projects
  • purchase or usage of my photographs in full-resolution and/or prints

please contact me.

Intent

  • To engage readers with words and photographs.
  • To encourage the beautiful art of making a photograph.
  • To learn what moves people to create art.
  • To cultivate interest and travel to Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, because there’s a lot more to these places than beer, clocks, & sausage.

Sometimes, I get the feeling, whether it’s real or imagined, that some are amazed outsiders come and visit towns which are apparently out of the way. Occasionally, it’s the sheer force and inertia of riding all that came before; we follow because masses of people before us set down the well-trodden path. The story gets real, when I stop a stranger and I ask in German a question of history, why is this the way it is, or why they live there. That’s when a specific moment and subsequent recognition present unique opportunities for an interaction that affords a peek inside a place’s history. While some view history as “boring” or “uninteresting,” it’s knowing about the sum of little pieces which provide an important feel for the geographic- and historic-backdrop for the city and the surrounding region. Sometimes, it’s ugly; even, at times, pedantic. But my seeking in the knowing is in itself a beautiful pursuit.

People with Snapboxes

I like looking at images by:

“Die Reise beginnt auf der Strasse als Ebenbild von Raum und Zeit.”
(The journey begins in the street as metaphor for space and time.)

My Snapbox

Journey with four digital devices:

  • 2018 to present: Fujifilm X70: mirrorless APS-C (1.53x crop) with fixed-lens prime 18.5/28.
  • 2014 to 2023: Canon EOS 6D mark1 full-frame with 24-105L IS USM, 50/1.4 USM, 70-300 IS USM. Entire camera package sold off in early-2024.
  • 2013–2018: Canon EOS 450D/Rebel XSi (1.6x crop): camera death from shutter failure. 50-prime and 70-300 lenses purchased for 450D carried over to 6D.
  • 2005–2008: Canon PowerShot A510, digital point-and-shoot. Phased out with upgrade to 450D.
  • 1990–1993: Pentax Zoom 70-X (date model) 35mm film-camera

More Media

I migrated to WordPress in 2010, after starting with Posterous in 2009. Unless specified, all text and photos here on fotoeins DOT com are by Henry Lee ©.

54 Responses to “About”

  1. timemarkers

    You are living my dream life! I hope one day I have the courage and means to do what you do. Good luck on your journey!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Celine d'Orgeville

    Good luck to you Henry! I’ll be sure to check your blog from time to to time and see what you’re up to…Have fun!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • fotoeins

      Céline, I hope your upcoming move to and the settling-in period in Canberra all go smoothly. I hope to visit (because I’ve never been to Canberra before when I’m in Australia in a few months’ time. Thanks for your kind comment and for stopping by!

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  3. Stephen Kelly Creative

    Hi Henry. I started following your blog a few weeks ago, and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. Looks like we both live in the Bay Area. Your photography is excellent, but I also really like your food section. Part of the allure of traveling is eating the cuisine of other places and cultures, and your posts about your culinary adventures abroad make me damn hungry! Cheers, mate!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • fotoeins

      Hi, Stephen. Thanks for following and for your kind comments. I’ve visited the Bay Area frequently, and I happen to be back in the area for a little while before I move onto other places. Thanks again!

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      Reply
  4. Nicolette

    Hi Henry. I’m really enjoying your perspective in photography and living vicariously through your travels! Enjoy what travels brings you :). Thanks for stopping by my blog, too!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • fotoeins

      Thanks, Nicolette! I’m trying to remind myself I’m doing something few can do or carry out, and to remind myself I’ve got to enjoy all of this as much as I can. 🙂

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        • fotoeins

          A part of this around-the-world trip is “anchored” by my great desire to be back “home” in Germany in time for their Weihnachtsmärkte (Christmas Markets); I really enjoy the markets. With that in mind, I plan to be in Europe for the final three months of this year, with Berlin, Germany as my hoped-for base of operations. I also hope you’ll soon be back in Europe again!

          Like

    • fotoeins

      Hi, Andrea. I’m glad you like the topics! I just stopped by your blog and your October 7 “Retrospect” entry is timed very well, because I’ll be “back” in Europe two weeks’ from now. Thanks again for your comment!

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        • fotoeins

          Hi, Andrea.

          I’ll be spending most of my time in Germany, where I’ve got many friends with whom I’d like to see and catch up. I’ve got them scattered throughout the country : Frankfurt am Main, Köln, Bonn, Bielefeld, Hamburg, Heidelberg, Freiburg (im Breisgau), München, and Berlin. Next month (November), I’ve got “side” trips planned for Edinburgh, Barcelona, and Madrid.

          I have absolutely *no* idea how this is all gonna get squeezed to a period of just 3 months. But you know what, there’s always the Christmas markets or Weihnachtsmärkte in the German-speaking countries : these markets always put a smile on my face. 🙂

          Like

        • adventurousandrea

          That is spectacular! It is a gift, to be so well traveled.

          I have faith that you’ll be able to do it!

          Oh, the markets so grand! I am so excited to be in Europe.

          Liked by 1 person

  6. blade3colorado

    Henry, have you retired? Or, are you taking a sabbatical? I retired early approximately 6-7 years ago and decided I would do a RTW trip, similar to what you did in 2012. This is something I have wanted to do since I was a child, my heroes being Christopher Columbus, Neil Armstrong and Jacques Cousteau. In short, in my own small way, I am doing an adventurous journey that not many people are afforded an opportunity to do.

    However, I’ve only set aside 4 plus months to do it – significantly less than just about every web site recommends. I did a similar back pack trip to S and C America last year for 2 plus months and enjoyed it immensely. I am fine with only setting aside 4 months for my trip, i.e., I intentionally planned it that way. Besides, I can always go back to a place I enjoyed. Your other comment I found interesting, was in regard to being out of that “RTW mode.” I suspect I will do the same thing when I return. I love travel, but I don’t have an overriding need to live somewhere else or be on the go constantly.

    I found your blog fascinating and have only scratched the surface here. I am now following you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • fotoeins

      I was in a bit of a mid-life crisis and given my former career of science research relying upon declining public funding, all the signs were headed for either a melt-down or for a career change. The latter seemed far less dramatic. 🙂 Initially, I thought about taking a couple of months off with a “career break and change” in mind, but I had enough reserves to last a year. Moreover, I had promised some friends in Australia I’d visit them, and I’d never set foot on the African continent before. In all, 2012 was a very very good year. I’d certainly love to do that again, but my reserves need replenishing, too. 🙂 Thank you very much for your comment. Thanks for following my blog, as I’m now following yours, too.

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  7. blade3colorado

    I think it’s great that you listened to your inner voice and did what you did. Most people ignore their intuition . . . Fast forward a few years later, I think most regret not doing what they initially thought was the answer. Don’t get me wrong – I like to think things through and rarely make snap decisions. But I truly believe that there are no coincidences and there are always consequences for all of our actions. I didn’t share this in my last message, but I was a “whistle blower” (not certain you are familiar with that term in Canada) and that was the catalyst for my retirement, i.e., I went against the system (government) and initially paid dearly for it (lost 3 appeals before winning) – then when they asked on what date I would be back at work, I told them in a somewhat polite way, to stick it up their ass. 🙂

    Anywho, I retired early with a very generous pension, coupled with a few smart decisions in the stock market and haven’t looked back since.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. markshimazuphotography

    Great story Henry. Regarding your blog, I like how you provide the locations for your shots so others can follow and recreate similar shot for themselves. I have recently started to provide the geocoordinates for my locations, but I like how you include a Google map. I may have to adopt this idea for my blog. Until then, I look forward to seeing more from your travels.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • fotoeins

      Hi and thanks for dropping by, Mark! I picked up the idea of adding a Google Map to my posts from another travel-photo blog I’d been following for some time. I think that if I have interested readers who come to my blog to read about a particular place, I want to provide them a little more “value” and information about where I’ve been and where they might wish to go themselves. Thanks again Mark!

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      Reply
  10. BeluChi

    Hi Henry, what a great blog you have here!
    I think we have things in common 🙂
    It’s good to meet you!… have a good day.
    Cheers from Australia!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  11. Isa

    What an amazing past life you had – recovering astronomer! It seems your present life is just as interesting. And an impressive list of spoken languages, to boot. Touché.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • fotoeins

      The languages have come by accidentally, first at home, then school, and subsequent work experience. Thank you for your very kind comments! I think and hope there’s a lot more life to live. 🙂

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  13. Feet from Shore

    Hi Henry! Thank you so much for the visit on my blog, that led me to yours. I am very impressed by your photography and all the places you have been to. I hope I can have a list like yours in the future, I love to travel and see the world. I’ll definitely check out your post often, you’re a great source of inspiration.

    Safe travels!
    http://www.feetfromshore.wordpress.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • fotoeins

      Hola, Yael! Thank you for writing back with your lovely kind comments! I’ve been very fortunate to have visited a number of places, and I hope to visit more in the near future. I think you will also go out soon into the world to explore it for your own! Finally, you wrote recently about struggling with writing in English. I’ll tell you honestly that even as a native English speaker, I struggle with expressing ideas onto the page or onto the screen. It’s often been said that “learning English is easy, mastering English takes a lifetime.” I think what that means is that any language learned is a life-long experience. Your writing is fine; so keep writing! Thanks again for your note – I hope you keep coming back here, as I’ll keep visiting your blog, too! 🙂

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  14. VisitSiena

    thank you for following my blog! happy that you like it 🙂 what an interesting blog you have! for sure will be back here 🙂 have a nice week:)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. meticulousmick

    Fotoeins, thank you so much for the follow, rising as a result of Leanne’s kind introduction. I am glad you liked the images and welcome aboard. If you have any special requests or suggestions just drop me a line. Checking out your list of destinations I see that Ireland is conspicuous by its absence and that you are an amazing linguist. Have a great week, MM 🍀🍀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • fotoeins

      Hi, Mick. I’ve heard and seen lots of great things about Ireland; it’s true that I’d like very much to visit Ireland. Thank you for stopping by and for your comment!

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  16. Anonymous

    Enjoying seeing the world thru your lens! And using maps. My favourite job was map librarian in MTL. and imagining my next virtual trip. So I can follow you for now. I too love mountain peaks ,climbing a few in Slovakia when I taught there. Will peek in on your blog often!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • fotoeins

      Hi, Karla. I just found you on Twitter as ‘batagal’! I’d seen Bata in Vancouver and Toronto for the longest time, but I didn’t really know about Bat’a, until I visited Prague. 🙂 I really do need to see more of the Czech Republic (that’s not Prague), especially Moravia, as well as actually stepping foot in the Slovak Republic. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment!

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  18. noahsin

    Can’t believe I’ve only just discovered this. Keep up the good work, looking forward to your next post! Follow back if you will, thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • fotoeins

      Hi, Noah. Although my emphasis is on Europe, my love for Hong Kong begins with my family background, and extends with the reach of my (virtual) hand to all that I love about the great chaotic city. In the near future, I have more things to say and photos to show about Hong Kong. I’ve reciprocated with a follow-back; thanks for reading and following!

      Like

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    • fotoeins

      Hi, Michael. Thank you for your kind words; I’m pleased to find out the things and events about which I write do reach people out there in the world. Thanks again for reading, and all the best to you in 2015!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  21. searchingforyourzen

    Hey there Henry!

    Just swinging by to check out your site from Chronicles of Wander Lust. You have an awesome site and it’s great to see all the “FEATURES, CREDITS, & MENTIONS” … I love the page man; I’ve added you to rss and I’ll keep checking in. Great stuff and happy travels!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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