Günter Kleber, a 59-year-old media consultant from Hausham, Germany, has achieved remarkable success at the world's largest photography competition by winning the CEWE Photo Award 2025 in the Travel and Culture category. His winning photograph, titled "Lazise Early Morning," was captured during a family vacation at Lake Garda and earned him recognition among only ten photographers worldwide to receive this prestigious honor.
The award ceremony took place at an elegant gala held at Palais Kaiserstein in Prague, where Kleber received his accolades for the stunning black-and-white composition. Even days after the ceremony, the photographer still appears somewhat dazzled by the tremendous honor bestowed upon him. The CEWE Photo Award is recognized as the world's largest photography competition, with this year's edition receiving an impressive 656,738 submitted photographs from 153 countries around the globe.
Kleber, who works as a media consultant for Gelbe Blatt in Miesbach, participated in the competition for the second time and submitted 15 photographs across the contest's ten different categories. Unlike many competitions, CEWE deliberately sets no upper limit on submissions, as the company donates ten cents for every submitted image to charitable organizations. This year's contribution amounted to approximately 65,700 euros, which was donated to an educational project run by SOS Children's Villages in Djibouti.
The winning photograph was taken on a cloudy morning along the lakefront promenade in Lazise, Italy. Kleber's meticulous preparation played a crucial role in his success, as he often researches potential subjects at home using various online photography communities before traveling. While this advance planning helps identify promising locations, he notes that surprises remain inevitable – such as discovering that a chosen architectural subject might be obscured by construction barriers.
The rainy weather in Lazise initially seemed like a setback, but it ultimately proved fortuitous. The inclement conditions left the distinctive black-and-white wave-patterned walkway pleasantly empty of tourists, creating the perfect opportunity for Kleber's composition. The photographer had come prepared with a colorful pagoda umbrella that complemented the scene's palette beautifully. He handed the umbrella to his nephew and positioned him on a bench in the right half of the frame, adding an engaging human element to the architectural composition.
The photograph's appeal lies in its near-perfect symmetry, with a street lamp serving as the central axis while the umbrella-carrying figure creates visual tension and interest. "That's what creates the drama," Kleber explains about the compositional balance. For the digital post-processing of the image, which was captured with his Sony 7R III mirrorless camera, the photographer employed a restrained approach, focusing on enhancing natural color nuances and carefully sharpening specific areas of the photograph.
The award ceremony featured a laudatory speech delivered by Christie Goodwin, a renowned London-based art and music photographer who serves as president of the international jury. Kleber expresses his admiration for Goodwin's accomplished career, noting that "she has photographed virtually every major star." The recognition comes with substantial rewards, including golden medals from both the German Photography Association (DVF) and the Austrian Photography Association (ÖVF).
In addition to the prestigious medals, Kleber received vouchers totaling a high four-figure euro amount for new camera equipment and CEWE photo products. The timing of these prizes couldn't be better, as Kleber jokes with a laugh: "My stepdaughter just got married recently." The practical value of the CEWE product vouchers will undoubtedly come in handy for creating photo books and prints from the wedding celebration, making this international recognition even more personally meaningful for the accomplished amateur photographer from Bavaria.
