Phytochromes are photoreceptor proteins that detect red and far-red light in plants, fungi and bacteria. Light absorption by a bilin chromophore triggers a cascade of protein motions which alter the signaling capacity of the protein. Currently it is not clear how photoexcitation of the chromophore initiates these changes. Here, we present a series of crystallographic snapshots of the phytochrome from D. radiodurans covering the first 3 ps after photoexcitation.