The visual approach in Café Lehmitz centers on intimate and candid black-and-white photography capturing the nocturnal life within the eponymous Hamburg bar. Anders Petersen’s images reveal the patrons’ raw emotions and interpersonal connections, portraying moments of vulnerability, joy, and camaraderie.

The photographs employ a close, immersive style that creates a compelling sense of presence, drawing viewers into the social environment of the café. Themes of urban nightlife, human relationships, and transient encounters emerge through a blurred, grainy aesthetic that emphasizes mood over clarity.

Published by Prestel in 2023, this 120-page volume includes contributions from Tom Waits and Roger Anderson, complementing Petersen’s visual narrative with additional contextual depth.