Ice bather at Weißensee Lake in Berlin with ice skaters in the background

Questions about the subject, usage, technology & more

What is Weißer See in Berlin and why do people swim there in winter?

Weißer See is a small urban lake in Berlin's Weißensee district, part of Pankow. It is a year-round recreational area with a historic lido. In harsh winters the lake freezes over, attracting ice skaters. A tradition of cold water swimming has developed here, with locals practicing ice bathing at the unfrozen shore edges, drawn by both community spirit and the perceived health benefits of cold exposure.

How can this photo be used?

This stock photo is licensed for editorial use only. It is well suited, for example, for features on Berlin winter culture, articles about cold water swimming and cold therapy, city magazines, travel content about Berlin in winter, or documentary projects on urban leisure culture. The portrait-format analog shot also works well for print media such as newspapers and magazines.

What mood does this photo convey?

A shirtless, barefoot man stands at the ice edge surrounded by ducks in the open water and skaters in the background. The scene conveys determination and a matter-of-fact attitude toward cold, combined with the contrast between quiet focus in the foreground and lively activity on the ice. The warm evening light softens the overall coldness of the scene.

What equipment was used to capture this photo?

Shot on analog film with the Minolta X-700, one of the most popular manual SLR cameras of the 1980s. Its precise exposure automation and MD-mount compatibility allowed for expressive captures in challenging winter light. The characteristic film grain reinforces the documentary quality of this scene at Weißer See in Berlin.

What visual style or trend does this photo represent?

Cold water swimming and ice bathing have been gaining significant public interest in recent years, driven by growing research into the health effects of cold exposure. This image addresses that topic in a documentary style and connects it with the analog aesthetic trend, which signals authenticity and credibility in visual communication, particularly in editorial contexts.

What is Weißer See known for?

As this photo vividly captures, the Weißer See in Berlin's Weißensee district transforms into a lively gathering spot during hard winters, with skaters covering the frozen surface while ducks cluster in the open water near the shore. Surrounded by a park, the lake serves as a year-round recreational area for locals, offering a lido and boat rentals in summer.

Stock media of Weißer See

Weißer See on Google Maps

More stock media from this place: Weißer See, Germany

Winter day at Weißer See, Berlin with people ice skating

1535

2255

Swans and ducks at Weißensee, Berlin in winter

1501

2205

Winter day at Weißensee with ducks and swans, Berlin

1535

2255

Ducks swimming in Weißensee, Berlin on a sunny day

2255

1535

What is Berlin known for?

Berlin is a city of contrasts, where a vibrant nightlife scene meets green parks and quiet urban lakes. Winter reveals a distinctive side of the German capital, as Berliners spend their free time at frozen waterways. Neighborhoods like Pankow and Weißensee, away from the tourist centers, reflect authentic everyday Berlin life that continues to attract documentary photographers.

Stock media of Berlin

More stock media from this area: Berlin, Germany

Outdoor cafe table with pink tulips

8640

5760

Scattered ice shards on frozen lake surface

5444

3649

Snow-covered warning sign on a street

5444

3649

Car side mirror covered in snow

5444

3649

Snow-covered traffic sign in urban setting

3649

5444

Berlin TV Tower with string lights in foreground

3649

5444

Modern residential building with balconies

3351

5000

Reflection of Berlin TV Tower in glass facade

3359

5010

Urban street lamp against apartment building

5304

3555

Vintage building with tower in winter scene

3602

5397

Historic buildings along Oderberger Str. in Berlin

4968

3312

View more stock media

Scenic view of El Torcal de Antequera limestone formations

8400

5600

Blurred motion of yellow train at Museumsinsel station, Berlin

5472

3648

Scenic street view with mountain backdrop

4000

6000

Aerial view of ocean and clouds at sunset

8599

5733

El Torcal de Antequera natural limestone formations

5760

8640

Coastal view of Mandraki with Strongyli island

8572

5715

Aerial view of Soufrière, coastal town with church and beach

5464

3640

Majestic white peacock in Plaka Forest

7167

4778

Sparkler with budget burned out message

8640

5760

Explorers at the Wreck of the Kakapo

6000

4000

Pink lily in ornate gold frame

7062

5650

Bahrain World Trade Center from narrow street

6000

4000

Men facing crashing waves at La Roche qui Pleure

8336

5557

Blurred forest scene with motion effect

8640

5760

Camouflaged crab on sandy beach

8640

5760

Web design sketching on notebook with laptop and coffee

8640

5760

Vibrant floral arrangement in glass vase

6562

5250

Curious ginger cat peeking from behind blue door

4000

6000

Ghost crab on sandy beach

8047

5365

Foggy skyscrapers with film burn effect

1510

2219

Brooklyn Bridge underside view with Manhattan skyline, New York

8427

5618

Scotts Head peninsula aerial view with communication tower

5464

3640

Sunset over Koh Yao Noi with silhouetted landscape

5648

8472

Airplane flying above the clouds

8640

5760

Go to stock collection

Cart

Cookie settings

Select your license:

50% discount for agency clients, forever.