Alexander Schippel’s photographic practice is centred on architecture, space and processes of transformation. Long-term artistic projects and commissioned work are approached with the same degree of precision: through close observation, a clear visual language and a profound understanding of the subject.
His work ranges from architectural and construction photography to exhibition photography, objects and the reproduction of artworks. A recurring focus lies on transitional states – moments in which buildings, spaces and cities reveal structures that are normally hidden or only temporarily visible.
Working primarily with high-resolution digital medium-format and technical camera systems, Schippel combines exact control of perspective and composition with an interest in the material and spatial qualities of his subjects. His photographs are conceived to retain their precision and presence both in publications and at large exhibition scale.
Biography
Alexander Schippel was born in Berlin in 1979 and grew up near the city. From 1997 to 2000 he trained as a photographer at Freie Universität Berlin. His photographs were first published in 2000 in Der Potsdamer Platz – Urbane Architektur für das neue Berlin by Jovis Verlag.
In 2004 he founded Atelier Schippel and increasingly developed an artistic photographic practice alongside his commissioned work. Major long term projects include Lausitz – Landschaft mit neuem Gesicht, the extensive photographic documentation of the renovation of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, as well as ongoing projects focusing on the transformation of significant cultural buildings in
Berlin.
Since 2013 Schippel has been documenting the transformation of the Pergamonmuseum. Further long-term projects include the Staatsbibliothek Unter den Linden, Bauhaus-Archio / Museum für Gestaltung and, since 2024, the Komische Oper Berlin. His work also includes extensive photography for the Humboldt Forum and its collections and exhibitions.
In 2016 he initiated p: photography unlimited eV., an international network and production platform dedicated to contemporary artistic photography. His works are held in public and private collections, including the Deutsches Historisches Museum and the Art Collection of the German Bundestag.
Teaching & Consulting
Alongside his photographic practice, Alexander Schippel teaches and advises photographers, institutions and professionals on artistic, technical and production-related aspects of photography.
His teaching combines photographic conception with practical expertise in architectural photography, technical cameras, digital medium format, perspective control, image processing, digitisation and fine-art production. At p: berlin he leads workshops in architectural and industrial photography and teaches workflows ranging from capture through digital processing to print.
His teaching formats include workshops, masterclasses and individual 1:1 sessions. Through these formats, technical knowledge is always connected to questions of composition, visual language and the development of an individual photographic position.
Partners & Ambassadorships
ALPA
ALPA Ambassador
Alexander Schippel is an official ALPA Ambassador and works with the Swiss manufacturer’s technical camera systems in his architectural and long-term photographic practice. He also teaches architectural photography in workshops and masterclasses developed in cooperation with ALPA and p: berlin.
NOVOFLEX
Ambassador / Partner
NOVOFLEX is regularly involved as a partner in workshops organised by p: berlin together with Alexander Schippel.
Selected clients & institutions
Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung (BBR)
Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung, Bauen und Wohnen Berlin
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin
Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz
Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Deutsches Historisches Museum
Staatsoper Unter den Linden
Bauhaus-Archiv / Museum für Gestaltung
Komische Oper Berlin
Samurai Museum Berlin
Aventos Group
Kulturprojekte Berlin
Stadtmuseum Berlin
Selected exhibitions
2026
Pergamonmuseum – Reopening 2027
James-Simon-Galerie, Museumsinsel Berlin
Five large-format photographs from the ongoing documentation of the Pergamonmuseum renovation.
2017
Staatsoper Unter den Linden – The Refurbishment
Berlin
40 large-format photographs from the long-term documentation of the Staatsoper renovation.
2014
KulturRÄUME – Fotografien von Alexander Schippel
Galerie Ost-Art, Berlin
Photographic works focusing on cultural spaces during reconstruction and transformation.
2011
Lausitz – Landschaft mit neuem Gesicht
Landtag Brandenburg, Potsdam
Large-format black-and-white photographs documenting the transformation of the Lusatian landscape.
Permanent exhibition
Einblicke – Ausblicke — Weitblicke. Bilder eines Baudenkmals im Wandel
Württembergische Straße 6, Berlin
Photographic documentation of the transformation and renovation of the listed
administrative building.
Selected publications
2018
Staatsoper Unter den Linden – Die Sanierung / The Restoration
Hatje Cantz
Photographs: Alexander Schippel
Texts by Horst Bredekamp, HG Merz and Matthias Schulz
208 pages.
2017
… ganz große Oper eben! Die Staatsoper Unter den Linden von 2010 bis 2017.
Eine Dokumentation
DOM publishers / Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung und Wohnen Photographs by Alexander Schippel and Christian von Steffelin.
2011
Lausitz – Landschaft mit neuem Gesicht
Michael Imhof Verlag
Alexander Schippel / André Brie Foreword by Horst Bredekamp.
2000
Der Potsdamer Platz – Urbane Architektur für das neue Berlin
Jovis Verlag
Photography by Alexander Schippel.
WÜ6 / Senatsverwaltung für Stadtentwicklung
Publication details to be confirmed.
Collections
Deutsches Historisches Museum, Berlin
Art Collection of the German Bundestag, Berlin
Private collections
Selected press & features
2026
Fotografische Archäologie der Gegenwart – Alexander Schippel und das Pergamonmuseum
Staatliche Museen zu Berlin / Museumsblog
2024
Alexander Schippel – ALPA Galerie
ProfiFoto
2019
Alexander Schippel: Staatsoper Unter den Linden – Die Sanierung
urbanite Berlin
2019
Staatsoper Unter den Linden. Die Sanierung
Book presentation and artist talk, Staatsoper Unter den Linden
