Blende8 – In Action

May 20, 2025 – Opening of our exhibition Li(e)benswertes Steinburg at IZET

What a celebration – IZET created an incredibly appreciative setting for our vernissage.
Not only did IZET invite numerous representatives to an evening of networking, but they also provided a buffet and drinks. In perfect weather, more than 50 guests joined us to experience the district of Steinburg through the eyes of ten different photographers. For that alone, we at Blende8 Itzehoe couldn’t be more grateful.

Beyond that, we received wonderful and thoughtful feedback – on our subjects, the impact of the exhibition, and the fact that some visitors discovered something entirely new in the Steinburg region or were able to see familiar places in a new light and from a fresh perspective.

We are truly moved by this experience and sincerely thank IZET for this fantastic collaboration. We hope that one or more of the works will find a new home before the exhibition ends on September 11, 2025 – as we would gladly donate 10% of our proceeds to the Lions Club Itzehoe in support of their project “Lichtblicke” (“Rays of Hope”). You can find more information about this initiative here: https://stiftung.lions.de/augenlicht-retten

If you are also interested in visiting the exhibition, feel free to contact us at ausstellung@blende8-itzehoe.de – we will be organizing several small guided tours for interested visitors between now and September 2025.

May 10, 2025 – It’s starting! Installation of the exhibition photographs

We had spent a long time planning, experimenting, photographing, curating, and ordering prints. We had created uniform image labels with details about each photograph – some even included additional information via QR code. And then, on May 12, 2025, the big moment finally arrived: ten members of Blende8 (plus one honorary “non-photographing” bonus member) gathered at the IZET Innovation Center to install the exhibition L(i)ebenswertes Steinburg, featuring 118 photographs.

Despite the impressive groundwork already done for us by IZET – for which we are very grateful – it was still a significant effort. Even though we had learned a lot from our first, much smaller exhibition at Sparkasse Westholstein, we still had to reflect, experiment, and carefully consider different perspectives to find a harmonious arrangement of the images. Once again, it became clear: photographs only reveal their full impact when printed and displayed on a wall.

September 21, 2024 – Star Wars visits the Alsenhof

Networking is especially enriching in the artistic field – it allows for exchange, inspiration, mutual support, and learning together. That’s why networking is important to us at Blende8, and we always enjoy working on collaborative projects. Whether it’s with other photography clubs or even … CosPlayers. In addition, as a photo club, we aim to do something photographic together once a month – a photo walk, a project … simply an event to learn and shoot together.

For this reason, Arne got in touch with the Fördesabers (https://www.psv-kiel.de/lichtschwertkampf; @fordesabers), and it quickly became clear – this could be an exciting collaborative project: The Fördesabers were happy to get great photos, and we were thrilled to have the opportunity to take them.

So, on September 21, 2024, we met at the Alsenhof – three photographers and 14 performers: Jedi knights, a Wookiee, Darth Vader, and other amazing CosPlayers. It was an intense photo shoot, and a flood of unique images was created. A big learning opportunity for both sides – and certainly not the last time we’ll meet and photograph together.

We were especially pleased that, in cooperation with the Kreative Nordlichter (website / IG account), we made it possible for the Fördesabers to return later in the day so children could have their photos taken with their Star Wars heroes by their parents.

And a special thanks to Domino’s Pizza in Itzehoe – you made our lunch break so much tastier 😊 We truly appreciate it!