Re: Photo series: Lake Braies (Pragser Wildsee) – Most Photographed Lake in ...
Thank you so much for taking the time.
When it comes to the question of which photo I personally like best, it would be Lake Braies IV. Two of the images only made it into the series because they were favorites of my wife’s.
I also asked friends – even in a barbecue club that happens to have a small photo section – and it’s fascinating: everyone has different favorites. Some even said that when they first read my text, they had a picture in their mind and later chose the photo that came closest to that mental image. Others preferred a simpler composition.
Personally, I like the first photo for its colors and all the fine details – you can see every detail of the boathouse. That one was taken at 28 mm. The 14 mm shot, on the other hand, shows fewer details but captures more of the overall setting. And that seems to be exactly why preferences vary so much. As a non-photographer, you’d probably pay less attention to details and might choose a completely different image. I honestly hadn’t expected the range of reactions to be this wide.
For me, Lake Braies III was originally the weakest image. I only included it in the series for the sake of variety. On its own, I wouldn’t have selected it. But over time, I’ve come to appreciate it more and more because it feels timeless. The more often I look at the photos, the more my opinion shifts.
And that’s exactly what I find so exciting: hearing the different perspectives and learning from them. From all the exchanges – in forums, in different groups, and among friends – I’ve really taken a lot away. I’ve never asked so many people for their opinion in parallel and shown similar photos side by side. As photographers, we’re constantly reflecting on why an image works or doesn’t. You’re always observing – not only out in nature when you capture the photo, but also later when you revisit it. I’m sure I’ll think even more about this in the future. In a way, it turned into a small experiment I hadn’t planned at all.
It would be fascinating to create a series that captures the exact moment when people see a photo for the very first time – before they consciously guide their emotions or their gaze. So to speak, the very first millisecond of their reaction. :-)
Sep 11, 2025 at 04:16 PM
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