Günter Kleber, a 59-year-old media consultant from Hausham, has achieved a stunning victory at the world's largest photography competition with a simple vacation photo taken at Lake Garda. Kleber won the CEWE Photo Award 2025 in the Travel and Culture category for his photograph titled "Lazise early morning," beating out photographers from around the globe at the prestigious competition held in Prague.
The CEWE Photo Award stands as the world's largest photography contest, with this year's edition receiving an impressive 656,738 submitted photographs from 153 countries worldwide. Kleber, who works as a media consultant for the Gelbe Blatt newspaper in Miesbach, was one of only ten photographers globally to receive this prestigious recognition. The award ceremony took place at the elegant Palais Kaiserstein in Prague, where winners were celebrated in a grand gala event.
Even days after the ceremony, Kleber still appears somewhat dazzled by the magnitude of his achievement. This marks his second participation in the competition, and this year he submitted 15 photographs across the contest's ten different categories. The competition deliberately sets no upper limit on submissions, as the organizing company donates ten cents for each submitted image to charitable organizations – this year contributing approximately 65,700 euros to an educational project by SOS Children's Villages in Djibouti.
The winning photograph was captured during what initially seemed like an unpromising morning in Lazise, a town on the shores of Lake Garda. Kleber had meticulously prepared for potential photo opportunities even before leaving home, researching locations through various online photography communities. However, as any photographer knows, preparation can only go so far – weather conditions and unexpected obstacles can derail even the best-laid plans.
On the morning in question, rainy weather initially threatened to spoil the shoot. However, this apparent setback proved to be a blessing in disguise. The wet conditions meant the beautifully paved promenade, with its distinctive black and white wave pattern, was completely empty of tourists and pedestrians. This gave Kleber the perfect opportunity to capture the geometric beauty of the walkway without human interference.
The photographer had come well-prepared, bringing a colorful pagoda-style umbrella from home that would complement the scene perfectly. He handed the umbrella to his nephew and positioned him on a bench in the right half of the frame, adding an essential human element to make the composition more engaging and dynamic. The rest of the image displays near-perfect symmetry, with a street lamp serving as the central axis that anchors the entire composition.
"That's what creates the tension," Kleber explained, referring to the interplay between the symmetrical elements and the deliberately placed asymmetrical human figure. The photograph was captured using his mirrorless Sony 7R III camera, a professional-grade piece of equipment that allowed him to capture fine details and rich tonal ranges.
During the digital post-processing phase, Kleber exercised considerable restraint, focusing only on enhancing natural color nuances and carefully sharpening specific areas of the image. This subtle approach allowed the natural beauty of the scene to shine through without overwhelming digital manipulation.
The significance of Kleber's achievement was underscored by the caliber of the award presenter. Christie Goodwin, a renowned art and music photographer from London and president of the international jury, delivered the laudatory speech for "Lazise early morning." Goodwin has photographed virtually every major celebrity and is widely respected in the photography world. "She has had pretty much every star in front of her lens," Kleber marveled about the accomplished photographer.
The prizes accompanying Kleber's victory are substantial and practical. He received golden medals from both the German Photography Association (DVF) and the Austrian Photography Association (ÖVF), recognizing his achievement at the national level in both countries. Additionally, he was awarded vouchers totaling a high four-digit euro amount for new camera equipment and CEWE photo products.
"The timing couldn't be better," Kleber laughed when discussing the photo product vouchers. "My stepdaughter just got married recently," he explained, suggesting the vouchers will come in handy for creating wedding albums and photo gifts for the newlyweds. This practical benefit adds a personal touch to what is already a career-defining professional achievement.
Kleber's success story serves as an inspiring reminder that extraordinary photographic opportunities can arise in the most ordinary circumstances. While many amateur photographers invest heavily in exotic travel to remote rainforests or urban jungles on the other side of the world in pursuit of the perfect shot, Kleber's victory proves that award-winning images can be captured during a simple family vacation.
The photographer's methodical approach to preparation, combined with his ability to adapt to changing conditions and see potential in seemingly unfavorable circumstances, demonstrates the skills that separate successful photographers from casual snapshot-takers. His story encourages other photography enthusiasts that with proper preparation, technical skill, and a keen eye for composition, remarkable images can be created anywhere – even on a rainy morning during a family trip to Lake Garda.
