Impressive Shots: The Pictures of the Week
A look at moments where light, form, and mood merge into a special composition.
This week, the photographic spectrum spans from Iceland to the Moselle, from nocturnal Northern Lights to digitally illuminated city facades. The displayed shots are united by a keen eye for light, structure, and atmosphere. Whether animal portraits, landscapes, or architecture – each shot uses the available light in its own way to capture form and mood. The selection is less a collection of individual motifs than an insight into different approaches to seeing and photographic creation.
Northern Lights over Solheimasandur
(Image:Â Cathos)
On the south coast of Iceland lies this crashed aircraft wreck from 1973. A person stands on the wreck, surrounded by Northern Lights that bathe the barren landscape in magical green light. The interior of the aircraft cabin is illuminated with a warm light, contrasting with the cold light in the sky. Gallery photographer Cathos 's chosen perspective from below further enhances the vastness of the landscape and sky.
On Top
(Image:Â Philo81)
Two lionesses lie close together on a large rock, their heads alertly raised. The light emphasizes both the animals' fur and the structure of the stone without being too harsh. The low camera angle makes the animals appear majestic, almost as if in the wild, even though the picture was taken in the zoo. Gallery photographer Philo81 says about his shot: "At the latest since The Lion King, there has been a strong connection between lions and hills in general perception, so the motif practically imposed itself. Furthermore, I had the photographer's luck that the two lionesses looked directly at me at the right moment."
Festival_of_Lights_5
(Image:Â Dirk Selig)
Colors flood the facade of Berlin Cathedral while the sky hangs heavily over the city. The image was created as part of the "Festival of Lights." Every year in early October, Berlin's landmarks are elaborately staged through illuminations, light art projections, and 3D mappings. Buildings, streets, and squares are illuminated, such as the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, and Berlin Cathedral. The artificial light transforms the historical architecture into a vibrant canvas and changes the perspective on the structure, which reinvents itself for a moment. Next to it, the TV Tower also shines in atmospheric light – two Berlin landmarks captured in a special moment.
The photographer Dirk Selig reports: "Since the illuminations change very frequently, using a tripod is not a sensible option. The challenge was to hold the camera steady and straight over the heads of the other visitors to achieve a sharp shot."
Sunrise on the Beach
(Image:Â Ralph Derksen Fotografie)
The wind tugs at fabric and hair as the sun hovers just above the water. Through the deliberate play with backlight, the photographer lets the rider's silhouette shimmer in warm light. Behind the subject, the low-hanging sun creates striking contours and emphasizes the cinematic mood of the scene. The interplay of light, wind, and fabric, in particular, lends a certain lightness to the moment. Soft golden tones dominate the color spectrum, giving the image an emotional, dreamy atmosphere.
Shadow Hunter
(Image:Â .ChristiaN.)
A kestrel lands on the tip of a bare branch, captured in complete silhouette. Only the contours are visible against the gray-blue sky, which lies evenly over the scene. The light is diffuse, without harsh shadows. The composition relies on the clear separation between tree, bird, and sky, emanating both calm and tension. A moment that appears still but is very consciously designed in its structure.
Autumn Colors
(Image:Â Georg May)
The Moselle winds calmly through the valley between the golden-yellow vineyards. The light of the low-hanging sun makes the yellow and brown tones glow and emphasizes the clear shapes of the fields. Despite the vastness, the image appears calm and balanced, a perfect moment between nature and structure.
Confluences...
(Image:Â JeanFP)
The wide perspective of this shot makes the architecture of the Musée des Confluences in Lyon appear monumental. "The museum was already closed, so I had no choice but to explore the exterior. When the person stood there, I could grasp the dimension. The lines and surfaces lead the eye to the person on the stairs, beautifully visualizing the relationship between human and structure," explains photographer JeanFP. Minimalism and structure create a quiet tension here.
The Pictures of the Week at a glance:
Bilder der Woche 43 (7 Bilder)
Cathos
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