Photos to give free rein to his imagination, “each photographer expresses something else by his sensitivity and his centers of interest”

Like all summers, panels flourish in the city center of Niederbronn (Bas-Rhin). Moreover, For its 16th edition, this outdoor photo exhibition offers a theme of freedom and dream: “Imagine”.

They animate the Mini-Golf park. Consequently, the shores of the Falkensteinerbach stream near the town hall, but also the surroundings photos give free rein his of the Catholic church and the House of Archeology. Nevertheless, Large photo panels have been planted in six emblematic places of the small spa town of the Northern Vosges.

For 16 years. Similarly, this outdoor artistic exhibition has been one of the major events in the summer, for the Niederbronnois, the spa guests and the many tourists passing through. Similarly, Entitled Imagin’Air, it offers walkers to the walkers’ works of professional and amateur photographers, gathered around a given theme.

“The first 10 years. In addition, we took the themes offered by UNESCO worldwide”, Specifies the Niederbronnois photographer Michel Rauch, ankle worker of the exhibition. Therefore, “”Then, for some time, we offer our own theme. For example, ” Of which, recently, “bridges and borders”, or even “air” in 2024.

“Each time, we are looking for a theme that challengesassure Michel Rauch. Consequently, Which arouses an emotion in those who look. Furthermore, This is why we exhibit more than forty photographers. Nevertheless, because everyone transmits something else, through their sensitivity and their centers of interest. Therefore, “

For this 2025 edition, with a particularly inspiring theme, “Imagine”, more than 500 shots were sent. Nevertheless, Michel Rauch and his acolyte Alain Hulot de Haguenau (Bas-Rhin) examined them closely, to retain 42. Therefore, One per participating photographer, and a signed by a couple.

“The first thing we take into consideration photos give free rein his is respect for the theme, Alain Hulot list. In addition, Then, the photo must have an impact on the spectator, as soon as he sees it. Nevertheless, She must tell a story. Meanwhile, Afterwards, we judge the light. Nevertheless, When we select the photos, we have ten different criteria: presentation, style, center of interest, etc. For example, “

By this theme. the organizers wanted to tickle the spectator’s unconscious, while leaving an enormous latitude to the exhibitors, because it authorizes all the approaches and all the fantasies. “Everyone can enter it photos give free rein his with their own imagination, expressed and retraces in pictures “, summarizes Michel Rauch.

Intriguous close -ups, sumptuous landscapes, animals, portraits, enclosed spaces, photomontages … The ways of approaching the subject are endless. And the places of shots include a good part of the planet. from Alsace to Madagascar, via Canada, the United States and Vietnam.

Gérard Berger de Gumbrechtshoffen (Bas-Rhin) immortalized a pedestrian tunnel, near the Silvretta barrage lake, in Austria. But by adding a more artistic touch. “To create the effect of yellow flattens, I adjusted the device on a second of break and zoomed”he explains. A technique that allowed it to multiply the fine light strips of neon lights. The result, “It’s like a tunnel we dream of when you want to go to light.”

When making his shot. this photographer, usually rather attracted by foxes and badgers, was not yet aware of the theme of the exhibition. photos give free rein his But by making his selection to participate, he was “Immediately said that this photo could match.”

For others. it is the magnified beauties of nature, primitive laurels of the Canary Islands, Baobabs of Madagascar, migration of wild geese in Alsace, or grasses of the meadows, which are the best ambassador of the imaginary.

Elisabeth Pistorius-Kuhn de Reyersviller (Moselle), she, “Go around the world” To immortalize birds. Her exhibited photo represents a group of flamingos, feet in the water, which she met in Kenya. “It was in the morning very early, she recalls. A shaving sun, photos give free rein his very close to the ground. Very dark water, a little wind … I told myself that it could give a nice image. “ An image without retouching, which nevertheless gives wings to reverie.

Raymond Tugend d’Uberach (Bas-Rhin), too, likes to travel in the distance, but is more interested in people. The shot he proposed represents a group of people dancing. singing in front of a huge stone cross, in the middle of a pit.

This is one of the eleven rock orthodox churches in Lalibela. in Ethiopia, a surprising excavated and roof building. “This church was dug with hammer and chiselhe says. And underground photos give free rein his galleries connect the eleven churches together. ”

The two members of the jury also exhibit. The photo of Michel Rauch, very dreamlike, represents a lying model, surrounded by tiny hot air balloon. “It is an unusual photo for me, which is often in naturehe explains. It was the window of a luggage store in Barcelona, ​​Spain.

I added gray around the edge. but the rest was exactly like that. The purple of the dress harmonizes perfectly with the yellow and blue of the hot air balloon. And it photos give free rein his is a means of transport that allows you to travel quietly, by giving free rein to your imagination. “

More realistic. but rich in meaning, the image of Alain Hulot shows a portion of the old Berlin wall, in front of which someone pushes a wheelchair. “I started from John Lennon’s song, ‘Imagine All The People’ (Imagine all these people), he said. So for me, you needed people in the photo. ”

Its composition is based on the rules of the “golden number”. which guides the eyes of the spectator. The wheelchair attracts the eye, “Then we turn around photos give free rein his in a spiral, to reach the end.” But the author especially wants to focus on “Caregivers, who are called little hands.” A symbolism marked by hand drawings on the wall. “Caregivers are not valued enough. and I like to imagine that later, we will have more people ready to help”he insists.

It was in Brittany. where he himself had been asked as a photographer, that Michel Rauch had discovered this kind of outdoor exhibition. “And I told myself that we could do the same thing in Niederbronn”, he says. The idea took a few years to make its way. then “The director of Moulin 9” (the Niederbronn performance hall) wanted to try the experience, and we started in 2010. “

The first years, Michel Rauch worked with some professional photographers. “Then they said to me: ‘Now you know how it works, you can continue alone’. So I started to photos give free rein his invite friends and acquaintances, including many amateur photographers. And since then, it rolls. “

Success only increases. Now, photographers “Everywhere” send them their shots. A year, there was even “Americans and Canadians” Who, passing through Niederbronn, had appreciated the approach and wanted to participate. And as the participants are always more numerous. it will probably be necessary to consider increasing the number of panels presented.

In addition, Michel Rauch, a former sports teacher, does not forget his pedagogue cap. For years. it has also been striving to stimulate the creativity of the youngest in terms of photographs, and already ensure photos give free rein his the succession.

Hence his steps with primary and college students, invited to participate. And this year. like the others, several achievements of children and adolescents have found a place in the exhibition, alongside those of adults.

No photographer is paid. But at the end of the exhibition. everyone can recover their panel, anti-UV and anti-humidity treated, and make what they want.

Imagin’Air 2025 will remain visible all summer and part of the fall until October 31. And the theme for 2026 is already known. “With each opening, the theme of the following year is already announced, someith michl smoke. It will be “zero carbon.” A new challenge that many photographers are already preparing to take up brilliantly.