From urban structures to distant nature: The pictures of week

Contents

This weekend, we are once again presenting a selection of images from our c't photo gallery, showcasing the diverse facets of photography. The shots range from impressive architectural details in black and white to expansive landscape views in warm autumn tones. Also featured are historical scenes, such as a helicopter maneuver from the 1960s, as well as spontaneous nature shots from the desert or the Darßwald forest in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. These images reflect different perspectives and offer insight into a variety of subjects and methods. They illustrate how different approaches and viewpoints can tell the story of a moment.

Stille Dynamik

This architectural shot appears extremely dynamic and monumental from a frog's-eye perspective. The sky forms a strong contrast to the clear, static geometry of the building. The black-and-white conversion further emphasizes the facade's design language. The interplay of light, shadow, and lines lends the image an elegant yet surreal effect. Mike Schwalbach reports on his work: "I was particularly fascinated by the massive overhang, which looks as if it's projecting weightlessly from the building."

"Black and white was the right choice for me to show the forms more clearly. In post-processing, I isolated the building, added a dynamic sky, and moderately increased the contrasts. This better highlights the tension between weight and lightness," explains the photographer.

I`m Walking

A single ostrich crosses the vast landscape of the Namib Desert, illustrating its immense scale. The image is clearly divided into horizontal planes – from the dark gravel in the foreground to the gently rolling dunes in the background. This layering creates an impressive sense of depth. It is a calm, almost meditative scene that reflects the solitude and beauty of the desert. Jörg Tenberken spotted a male ostrich at a considerable distance while driving to the well-known Sossusvlei. The gallery photographer recounts: "I parked my car a little off the road and initially zoomed in on the bird. To also show the impressive dune landscape in the image, I zoomed out a bit. I liked this photo better because it shows the scale of the dunes in relation to the rather large ostrich (which now appears small)."

Manöver mit Hubschrauber 1964

The Vertol H-21 helicopter, also known as the "Flying Banana," captivates a crowd of onlookers. The historical photograph is a scan of an analog black-and-white image from 1964 and not only shows the viewers' curiosity and fascination with the technology but also, as a document of its time, a Bundeswehr exercise during the Cold War.

Lärchenwald, Märchenwald

Like dabs of a brush, the autumnal larches glow from the dark coniferous forest. Kurt Seibt was traveling in the Beverin National Park in Graubünden. The aerial view condenses the forest into an almost graphic structure. The play of warm yellow and orange tones with the deep green creates a calm, almost fairytale-like atmosphere. It is a silent spectacle of nature that gains a special order through its perspective. "The image was cropped to a square and given a dark vignette to make the larches stand out better," reports Kurt Seibt.

Experiment

Against a deep black background, a single tulip blossom unfolds its extraordinary splendor. The vibrant blue of the fringed petals and the rich yellow inside create a fascinating color contrast. The color of the blossom was achieved through an old school experiment to illustrate water transport in plants. Rrh_007 reports on the experiment: "It was very interesting to observe how the ink was drawn higher and higher – and finally to the serrated edge. Camera in hand and go. Without much effort and without comfortable equipment – it's possible simply."

The careful lighting emphasizes all the fine structures of the blossom, giving it an almost surreal, sculptural quality. A successful experiment that stages the beauty of nature like a work of art.

Aus tiefstem Herzen

On the Buchhorster Maase in the Darßwald forest, the powerful call of the red deer rings out amidst the tall reeds. Bernd Seibel was able to explore the area, which is not publicly accessible during the deer rut, as part of a guided hike. The photograph captures the peak of the rut with almost tangible intensity. The golden light of the low-lying sun bathes the scene in a warm, autumnal mood. The composition, with the roaring deer slightly off-center, gives the image a special dynamism.

Goryōkaku Tower, Hakodate

A gnarled tree trunk and green branches form a natural frame for modern architecture. The upward gaze, which Kurt von Hebsack directs, falls on the Goryōkaku Tower, whose geometric forms create an exciting contrast to the organic surroundings. The clear sky light emphasizes the tower's clean lines and the fresh colors of nature.

The pictures of the week at a glance:

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Bilder der Woche 49 (7 Bilder)

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