About Unstable Lights

In 2021, Fabian Wolf set out to create an international exhibition series bringing together photographers from around the world—ranging from underground, lesser-known artists to renowned figures such as Joel Meyerowitz and Charles Peterson, the iconic grunge photographer known for his work with Pearl Jam and Nirvana in the 1990s.

This vision came to life in 2023 with the first Unstable Lights group exhibition, held in Hamburg. Alongside the photographic works, Wolf showcased rare collector’s items from a local camera repair specialist who had worked for Olympus for decades and still services analog cameras today. Unique Olympus pieces from his private collection were on display, and visitors could also experience live demonstrations of shutter speed testing using specialized equipment.

The exhibition was complemented by two photowalks—one sponsored by Kodak Professional and supported by two of Germany’s most respected photo labs, KHROME (Hamburg) and Safelight (Berlin), whose teams traveled to Hamburg to take part. Kodak generously provided film.

The show featured a diverse selection of international photographers, and we also organized a donation drive to collect analog cameras and film equipment for students and young people interested in exploring film photography. Many of these donations were successfully distributed, helping the next generation access tools that are often expensive or difficult to find in good condition.

Originally running for three days, the exhibition was extended with a fourth event a few weeks later, featuring three Hamburg-based photographers, including practitioners of wet plate photography. This additional showcase further strengthened the sense of community within the analog photography scene.

Wolfs background spans more than 20 years in the arts—as an illustrator and painter before returning to photography during the pandemic. Having studied photography early in life, he now work across media, combining photography and illustration, and plan to exhibit new works of his own beginning in 2025.

Starting in 2026, Unstable Lights will return with new, carefully curated exhibitions that not only highlight contemporary analog and digital practices but also bring historically significant works into dialogue with them. The core mission remains the same: to preserve and celebrate analog photography as an essential artistic medium. Film photography offers a unique expressive surface—a tactile, intentional, and deeply human way of seeing—that must be protected and passed on to future generations.

Through Unstable Lights, Fabian Wolf aim to continue creating exhibitions that inspire, connect, and enrich the photographic community by showcasing the artistic power and enduring relevance of film.

Thanks to the sponsors for making this event possible: Kappich & Piel, light Phone, Kodak Professional, Saal, Silbersalz35, IPS

Download Unstable Lights 2023 Recap

Here is a selection of pictures from the 2023 Unstable Lights exhibition.

Upcoming Exhibition – Fabian Wolf, Only birds sleep on the barbed wire

exhibition date: tba