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Posted
June 7, 2018
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Urban Discoveries
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Urban Discoveries featuring Brothers’ Barbers

This article is part of the “Urban Discoveries” series, in which we seek and discover exciting and well-designed places to eat and drink around Europe, especially in Vienna. This time, though, we did something else, and on the occasion of a bearded friend’s birthday and the need to buy him a present, we visited a barber shop and did a shoot there. The text was written again by my collaborator in this series Maximilian Martsch with the birthday child and soon to be model (probably) Lukas standing in. Thanks to the lovely guys at Brothers Barbers for the warm welcome and the excellent time.

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When you think about a beauty salon for men, Brothers’ Barbershop is probably pretty close to what you’d imagine. It’s a happy place for the well-bearded half of the population until they leave again. Or a little less bearded. Or bearded in a more sociable way. Anyway, you get the point.


Right when you enter, you will be completely taken in by the stylish yet relaxed vibe of the place. Wooden shelves full of products for your manly hair and beard, exposed brick walls, a lovely lounge corner if you have to wait for your appointment, and the old-fashioned, black leather barber chairs. It’s a mix of modern interior design and nostalgia, best displayed by the vintage ads for shaving necessities. While you wait for your appointment, you can enjoy a beer, a coffee, or even a cocktail if you are up for the extra kick – they want you to feel comfortable.

And yes, they also have a traditional barber’s pole spinning happily outside their shop. A little trivia on the side: the red, blue, and white striped pole is the conventional sign for a barber to label his shop. It is said to have been in use as a trade sign since the Middle Ages. There are several explanations for using red, blue, and white. Probably the most ghoulish one refers to the spill of blood (blue represents venous blood) and the use of white bandages, which goes back to when barbers were consulted for simple medical procedures like tooth extractions.

Blood is luckily not an all too frequent sight at Brother’s Barbershop – at least nothing happened during our visit. But joke aside, even though the barbers use open razors, they are all well-trained and know how to handle their equipment, so you always feel safe. The barbers are also part of the experience at Brothers. Not only are they living examples of up-to-date hair and beard styles, but they are also constantly cracking jokes with each other and the customers, which contributes to the friendly, fraternal feeling in the shop.

In the end, the interior, banter, clean shape, and hot towel make a visit to Brothers’ Barbershop a real treat. It might not be the cheapest option to get a haircut and shave, but the quality and overall experience compensate for that. If you want to visit Brothers’ Barbershop, get an appointment beforehand because their waiting list can be extended.

For more information, impressions, and appointments, go to http://www.barbershop.wien/.

Posted
May 31, 2018
Category
Portugal
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Discovering Évora

I was lucky to come around quite a bit in Europe’s most southwestern country, but a spot blank on my map of Portugal was to the East of Lisboa. The ancient city of Évora was founded by the Romans before Christ. On the day of my visit in early May, the opportunities for exciting shots were great, as a storm came with heavy clouds. However, the sun was still there, refusing to obey and shining on the beautiful buildings of Évora, making for a great and gloomy atmosphere.

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Posted
May 25, 2018
Category
Portugal
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The Algarve

Although I traveled to Portugal extensively, curiously, I had never been to the Algarve, the southern coast of the country, before. I must admit I had my prejudices. It seemed to me that this part of the country was reserved for the sun-seeking mass tourist. Northern Portugal seemed much more mysterious and exciting to me. It was the road less traveled. But boy – was I missing out! The Algarve, with its white architecture glowing in the sunlight, seems like a natural extension of the Portugal I know. Sure, there are tourists at this time of the year (beginning of May), but there are not more than in Lisboa. Give it a try!

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Posted
May 19, 2018
Category
Portugal
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Portugal on Lens

Over the years, Portugal became a country and a topic I revisit now and then. Again, I had the chance to travel to this beautiful Iberian country and shoot some photographs there. This time, though, I had no access to my usual setup (Canon 70D with Tamron lens) and had to borrow equipment from my girlfriend. It was interesting to shoot with a camera different from the one I was used to. The Sony SLT-a77 is not as advanced as my Canon, but it has some merits. I liked the viewfinder, and the shots are wider by default, making them slightly more cinematic. The first series is a highlight reel of the week I spent in different parts of the country. From the first to last picture, the locations are Lisboa (bridge of the 25th of April), Capo da Rocca, Cascais, Fatimá, Óbidos.

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Posted
May 13, 2018
Category
USA
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Chess Players in Union Square Park

In this personal post, my friend Lukas shares his thoughts about his passion for chess and the game’s current state in connection to a recent visit to New York. The pictures were shot in Union Square Park.

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Chess has seen better days. Maybe it’s an underestimation of the current standing of chess, but the societal impact and prevalence of chess seem to be lower than in the past decades. If one does not explicitly look for them, few people are around to have a casual game or chat about the latest tournament results.

There are, of course, reasons for this. For a sport to be enjoyed and appreciated by the masses, skill must be apparent to the layman. Everyone can see the talent on display when a professional footballer scores a spectacular goal, shooting the ball right past the goalkeeper’s fingertips with only inches to spare. Chess is a different matter. The hidden reasonings of a complicated chess move can only be appreciated by people of at least somewhat similar skill levels.

I’ve always found it fitting to compare chess to a language. It can hardly be enjoyed by people who do not understand it. It demands continuous practice, or your proficiency will fade. And, not least of all, it takes two fluent speakers to create a good conversation. I’ve had a mixed relationship with chess over the years. I’ve had my past with chess clubs and tournaments, but the drain on my personal time was too significant to stick to it over the years. Most of my friends do not play, and meeting those who do get more difficult by the year as lives change and responsibilities pile up. Then there is, of course, the internet. Nowadays, people who need their regular dose of chess generally retreat to online platforms. This might be incredibly convenient – as one can play anywhere, anytime – but something is lost on the way.

On a recent trip to New York City, one of the most essential things on my personal to-do list was to visit the local chess-playing community, famous for playing in the parks of Manhattan. The weather could not have been worse when I finally found the time. The mild temperatures of the past week gave way to sporadic snow and a bone-chilling, uncomfortable cold. I was wondering whether I’d find anyone to play at all. Still, even in such harsh conditions, I saw people standing in circles, playing, silently watching, or engaged in light-hearted conversation. Not only did I get to play my games, I got much more than that.

As I was sitting there, at Union Square Park, in the heart of one of the most awe-inspiring cities of the world, sacrificing pawns, knights and queens alike, bantering and laughing with complete strangers, I was reminded once again: it’s a sad thing if you can’t share your passions with likeminded people.

Posted
April 30, 2018
Category
USA
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Fast Edit: Streets of NYC in Monochrome

One of my dreams came true a couple of weeks ago, and I could finally travel to New York City. I am lucky to go around quite a bit but haven’t reached the pond until now. The Big Apple was definitely high on my bucket list, and it was as impressive as I had hoped it would be. NYC is just a city like no other. I did a lot of photography there, of course, but I probably won’t publish most of it until fall. This is more like a sneak peek of some of my favorite shots, which I have edited on the go (mostly VSCO cam).

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