If you enjoy visual challenges, Reddit’s popular “Find The Sniper” thread may already be familiar. The forum invites users to scan images—ranging from everyday interiors to wide outdoor scenes—to spot tiny, well-hidden objects. These puzzles test patience and attention to detail, offering everything from beginner-friendly images to expert-level challenges that can stump even the sharpest eyes.
Berlin-based photographer Simon Menner took this idea far beyond online games with his 2014 project, Camouflage. Instead of hiding small objects, Menner photographed real, trained military snipers concealed within natural and urban environments across Europe. His images reveal just how effectively professionals can blend into their surroundings—often remaining invisible even when viewers know someone is there.
To create the series, Menner collaborated with the German, Lithuanian, and Latvian armed forces, working with snipers in multiple locations across three countries. He explained that the subjects were often aiming directly at the camera, and therefore at the viewer, adding an unsettling realism to the work. Military officials supported the project, intrigued by its artistic and educational approach.
The Camouflage collection spans snowy Latvian fields, dense German forests, and abandoned buildings, each image challenging viewers to locate the hidden figure. One of the most discussed photos appears empty at first glance, until a closer look reveals a sniper concealed inside a derelict structure. With more than 30 images, Menner’s project offers a striking mix of visual puzzle and real-world insight, highlighting the extraordinary skill behind military camouflage—and reminding us how easily the unseen can hide in plain sight.