1. Fascinating Moments – The Pictures of Week 45

• In the last light
• The little flower in front of the house
• The beauty of the East
• IT’S A HARD WAY
• A hairy situation with aging
• Kullen Västra Lighthouse
• Gracie

From vast savannas to tranquil coastal landscapes and expressive portraits, our pictures of the week capture fleeting moments and emotions. They play with light, structure, and perspective, telling small stories of encounters between humans and nature. Each motif uses its own unique mood, sometimes graphic and minimalist, sometimes lively and emotional, inviting a closer look.

In the last light

In the last light

(Image: Pham Nuwem)

Stefan Weber was on safari when he discovered these topi antelopes at the end of the day. “As with any wildlife photography, there’s an element of luck involved in the animals (and weather) cooperating with the photographer’s vision. You always have to work with what nature offers,” says the photographer. The silhouette of the herd stands out sharply against the orange sky; the backlighting reduces the forms to the moment and the posture of the individual animals. The horizon is low, allowing the orange sky to dominate and the scene to appear like a silhouette.

The little flower in front of the house

The little flower in front of the house

(Image: Carl-Peter Herbolzheimer)

The blossom opens its violet petals in the soft light, against a uniformly warm background. The focus is precisely on the petals, while the rest blurs into color and form. A classic, harmonious motif by Carl-Peter Herbolzheimer.

The beauty of the East

The beauty of the East

(Image: Gast (82b1a424))

Soft light meets calm water, letting sky and sea merge. The long exposure time smooths the waves into a picturesque surface. The jetty draws the eye into the depth and gives the image a clear structure. A moment of quiet balance between technology and nature.

IT’S A HARD WAY

IT’S A HARD WAY

(Image: actioreactio)

A small snail climbs a shiny line that winds elegantly through the black. The minimalist setting draws attention to structure and form. Light and shadow create an almost abstract motif. At the beginning of its journey, the snail seems to look at the hurdles ahead; the viewer can almost feel its emotions. The image by actioreactio tells a clear story that meets precise execution.

A hairy situation with aging

A hairy situation with aging

(Image: Otto Hitzegrad)

The light falls on the face from the side, emphasizing every wrinkle and every line. The sharpness makes the portrait appear calm and approachable. Through its contrasts and wide dynamic range, the shot appears unadorned and honest. Otto Hitzegrad tells about his portrait: “I visited an old friend again here; at the time, he was still living at home. We sat in the garden, drank a beer, and chatted about old times. It was a bit windy, and I noticed he kept trying to fix his hair. Since I always have my camera with me, I asked for a photo. I used a slightly telephoto lens, and later, on the PC, I deliberately chose an extremely tight crop and converted the photo to black and white because, in my opinion, the essential elements are better conveyed that way. He passed away six months later, God rest his soul!”

Kullen Västra Lighthouse

Kullen Västra Lighthouse

(Image: Lula)

The warm light of the setting sun bathes these cliffs in Sweden in an intense orange and red. The small lighthouse stands high on the rock. It appears like a quiet observer over the sea. The clear composition with the sun in the left third and the tower as a counterweight in the center creates a beautiful balance in the image – a moment between day and night, captured by Lula with perfect timing.

Gracie

(Image: Regina Feicht)

Between the crumpled sheets of paper, the yellow eyes of the British Shorthair cat Gracie peek out curiously. The soft, indirect light creates a calm atmosphere and emphasizes the gray fur.

The image almost looks as if the photographer converted everything except the eyes to black and white, but the impression is deceptive; the surroundings and fur show their natural colors. This snapshot conveys closeness and a touch of humor. The photographer Regina Feicht reports: “A package arrives, is opened, unpacked, and a cat is already sitting in the box or playing in the packing paper, as in the photo. By chance, the camera was at hand, and so this and other snapshots were created. Here, photography completely follows the subject.”

(vbr)

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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.