Expressive portraits and nature: The pictures of the week

Contents

This week, the images of the day capture very different moods that our gallery photographers have addressed: A field in the golden morning light opens the week, followed by the energetic gaze of a lucky cat. Tiny dewdrops are transformed into sparkling miniature universes. Although the motifs and their expressions are very different, the photographs share a common quality: they capture a moment – as it only exists once.

Sunrise in the field

An atmospheric moment shortly after sunrise, characterized by warm light and a dramatic cloud structure. The golden rays of the rising sun break through the silhouette of a tree. The scene thrives on the contrast between the dark treetops and the bright horizon line. The field path that runs through the left half of the picture leads the eye into the depths and creates a visual balance. It is an atmospheric shot by M. Rasch that conveys tranquillity and vastness and at the same time conveys a certain melancholy.

Lucky cat

Rolf Fries discovered this cat sitting on the fence post of a front garden while driving. With its snarling expression and erect fur, it looks like a mini predator on the lookout – a moment full of energy. Her unusual coat pattern in black, red and white is also fascinating: the classic pattern of a so-called lucky cat. This tricolor pattern is not only visually interesting, but also a biological rarity; it is almost exclusively female and cannot be selectively bred. The warm light accentuates the colors of her coat and highlights its structure. The contrast between the old, weathered wood and the living animal enhances the effect of the image, raw, beautiful and full of character.

StrawberryDew

Dewdrops line up like small crystal balls on the edge of a leaf, capturing the sparse light in a fascinating way.

"I noticed the phenomenon of dewdrops hanging from the tips of strawberry leaves after cool, damp nights a few years ago and came up with a diffuse idea for a photo," writes gallery photographer dg9ncc. "To realize this, it was important to me to have a calm, dark-looking background with sufficient distance to the plant so that it would blur and remain the background despite the aperture being closed. A few bright spots were removed. In addition, as many drops as possible on the tips in the foreground with high contrast and sharpness should emphasize the image content. Here the contrast was increased until the white went into zone 9 ... 10 (Ansel Adams' zone system), while the tips remained in the lower to medium brightness range. The rest is deliberately kept dark – it is background & should not distract in any way."

The monochrome design reduces the motif to its essence and clearly emphasizes the filigree surface of the leaf. The gentle blurring in the background creates depth and makes the focal plane appear all the more intense.

thistle blue

A delicate snapshot from the microcosm of nature: a hoverfly feasts on a thistle flower. The cool violet and blue tones lend the scene a sense of calm and reinforce the impression of concentration. The sharp details of the insect stand out clearly against the soft background – a successful depiction of sky blue and meadow green.

4

The sculpture by artist Ricardo Bofill at the W Hotel in Barcelona rises in monumental severity against an immaculately deep blue sky. The marble surface reflects the light in fine gradations, making the rhythmically incised curves stand out particularly vividly. Bofill's architectural signature – the interplay of geometry, material and symbolism – becomes a powerful visual statement here. The clear lines meet softly modeled incisions, giving the sculpture an almost musical lightness. The image by Klaus-Peter Kubik, alias KPK, is both monumental and meditative, an ideal accent at the interface of city, sea and sky.

The joy of the sea

An atmospheric black and white moment that impresses with its naturalness and emotion. The wind has tousled the boy's hair wildly, giving the portrait a lively dynamic. His gaze is open, his smile spontaneous.

"This picture was taken on October 1, 2018 on Amrum. My then 10-year-old son hadn't been on the island for two years. It was stormy and I promised him that when we arrived at the viewing dune, he would see waves. I captured his joy at this. Wind, waves, sea – Amrum. A dream for many children to play in the biggest sandbox of their lives and enjoy nature at the same time," writes Mathias Rose alias MR1701.

The background remains subtle and soft, so that the focus is clearly on the face. Light and tonal values are finely balanced and cleverly emphasize the contrasts between skin, hair and clothing. The image conveys a feeling of youth and lightness.

Cormorant after fishing

This cormorant stands majestically on a mossy branch, its wings wide open as if it is about to take off. Light and shadow emphasize the fine structures of its plumage and lend the moment an almost sculptural quality. The calm background of gently undulating water draws the eye clearly to the bird and creates a clear, minimalist visual language. The scene was skillfully captured by Patric .

The pictures of the week at a glance:

Bild 1 von 7

Bilder der Woche 33 (7 Bilder)

(mma)