Can you spot the snipers hiding in these photos?

 

 

German photographer Simon Menner has done something incredibly unique with his "Project Camouflage" series of images. What appear to be just standard landscape shots are actually images with a sniper (and sometimes a spotter) camouflaged and hidden from view. All but invisible, the images show just how excellent these people are at making sure you have no idea that they're there.

Menner described the project on his website, saying:

Even though they are invisible due to their professionalism, there are hidden snipers in every of these images. They are aiming at the camera and therefore at the viewer.

I had the very friendly support by the German Army who made this series possible by providing me with two of their snipers and a whole day of time.

In 2013, I got the permission to extend this project in the German Alps. Once again I am extremely grateful for the generous support of the German Army and the professional work of the soldiers invloved in this project.

You could argue that the snipers are naturally better hidden in these shots than they would be in real life, since it's from just a single angle, and they could have worked with the photographer to make sure they're as invisible as possible. But we still think that they're impressive examples of camouflage in otherwise unremarkable scenes. For most of them, we're taking Menner's own word that there's even a sniper in the image!

So have a look at these images, and see if you can spot where the soldiers are hiding.

 

"There is a bigger boulder in the lower left corner. Sniper is straight up from there, where the color of the stones changes from light to dark." Image by Simon Menner

 

"Sniper on a small hill close to the edge of the forest right side of the image." Image by Simon Menner

 

"Sniper above the brownish rotten wood. Slightly to the right. Spotter behind him to the left." Image by Simon Menner

 

"Sniper on top of the two big boulders in the lower right corner. Muzzle is visible." Image by Simon Menner

 

"Fake emplacement left side of the image. Sniper in the gap between the trees on the right side." Image by Simon Menner

 

"Sniper on the far right side of the group of trees just outside the shadow." Image by Simon Menner

All images by Simon Menner, and used with permission.

(via the Guardian)