If there were officially a world championship of nature photographers, then this would be the photo competition “Nature Photographer of the Year”. There were 20,000 entries from photographers from almost 100 nations this year, but only 13 of them can call themselves winners. With Rupert Kogler from Linz and Sepp Friedhuber from Ansfeld, there are two Upper Austrians among them.
The two know and appreciate each other, but more than a generation separate them. Friedhuber considers Kogler to be a “gifted young photographer” who has a different approach. “He has a very casual imagery and chooses very idiosyncratic excerpts.”
Kogler, on the other hand, appreciates Friedhuber’s view of nature. “His wealth of experience is very large, he has been to all parts of the world, but has always looked outside the box in his animal and nature photos.”
Despite all the differences in their photography and their way of life, the two unite a certain sense of mission. Because both Friedhuber and Kogler want their photos to show how beautiful and valuable nature is for human life.
Kogler’s winning picture in the “Plants and Mushrooms” category also proves that the good is so close if you just want to see it – and can. “Hopefully the G # recording is a good example of how the beauty of nature is universal,” says Kogler. And: “If we don’t respect nature for its own sake, then we should do it in our own interest.”
Friedhuber was honored in the “Mammals” category for a picture that slumbered in the archive. The reason for this: the blurring. It was not created on purpose, but out of the situation. When the silverback suddenly jumped up and rushed towards the group with Friedhuber, drumming on his chest, the Ansfeldner stumbled back while stepping. “Falling back, I raised the camera and pulled the trigger.” Because of the poor lighting conditions, the image became motion blurred – only the face is in focus. A dynamic that made all the difference and made the picture a winning photo, said Friedhuber.
The downer for the excellent photographers: There was no celebration due to the corona. But that doesn’t change their joy.
Source: Nachrichten
