Over the years I’ve done less and less close-up photography. Having spent many years photographing for advertising agencies and doing product photography, bending over a tripod and studying the fine details was daily practice. Then I worked at a polytechnic and my tasks as programme leader and lecturer didn’t leave time for photographic disciplines that weren’t closely aligned to my teaching practise.

Hence it was quite enjoyable to once again look at the small things and to spent a bit of time shifting a tripod by fractions of a millimeter. Then watching how the scene keeps drifting out of focus with the slightest puff of air.

It’s really quite amazing how such a filigran construction as a spider web can withstand the weather and wind for days, when even the apples get blown of the trees.

I can only give my respect to the spider who made this beautiful home (sadly he/she/it wasn’t home at the time of my visit).

In early August there’s a rapid change in the light here in Germany. Until then there’s a feeling of summer. The days are long and the light has a clean quality. Then over two weeks the days become rapidly shorter. This doesn’t seem to happen gradually but surprisingly sudden. It’s as if the Earth tilts and with that the light takes on a new quality. Now, well into September, we’re getting the autumn light and the quality is softer, warmer and in a way cosier then just five weeks ago.

I love the painterly quality this gives the landscape. Together with the fog that now seems to be around most mornings, the warmer light creates a very intimate atmosphere. It’s as if you could touch the light, as if it’s organic and should have some haptic.

Of course it doesn’t have that. Nevertheless, the light now gives the landscape texture that in summer is rarely there.

Summer has finally arrived, with temperatures in the 30+ degrees and some great opportunities to do evening photography between thunderstorms.

The Muensterland is famous for the many cyclists that get out and about at every opportunity.

With the stifling heat, high humidity and hardly a wisp of air, cycling is at times the only way to get the air flowing and to feel a little bit refreshed.

In any case, it’s fun and zooming about on the bikes is a good way to get to know the area better.