201109 Photo of the Day

8/3/2019 201109 Photo of the Day

1/31

Photo of the day

National Geographic

Photo of the day2011 SEPTEMBER


2/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byDavid Rankin, My Shot

This Month in Photo of the Day: Your Photos With Tips From PhotographerCatherineKarnow

Its a challenge to shoot lightning, and the key, as this photograph demonstrates, is to leave theshutter open for as long as possible and shoot repeatedly. This way, you can be sure to capturemore than one lightning bolt. By leaving the shutter open, your exposure can be bright enough tolight up the sky, the clouds, the terrain, and the buildings, such as the factory in this image. All areelements that add interest to the shot.

Photo Tip: When shooting lightning, use long shutter speeds, like 15 seconds or more, and justkeep shooting.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

Lightning, Utah-Arizona Border
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/gallery/312628http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/gallery/312628


3/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byCarolina Sanchez Monge, My Shot


When it comes to group photos, the best moments are the ones before and after the actual posedshot. These altar boys reveal themselves when they stop posing, and instead of looking uniformlyinto the camera, each carries a unique expression and posture. I love the spontaneous element ofthe boy drinking from his plastic water bottle. Its especially nice to have a light-hearted moment inthe more serious setting of the graveyard. After all, these are just regular boysI love seeing theirjeans and sneakers underneath their robes.

Photo Tip: Youll no doubt get your most natural moments in a group shot after people stopposing.

SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Easter Procession, Spain


4/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byRick Wianecki, My Shot


I know that this reclining Buddha has been photographed over and over, and most photographsshow the whole face or the whole face and body. But this new angle, capturing the statue betweentwo walls, makes for a more unique picture. The inherent mystery of the Buddha is enhanced byonly showing a glimpse of the face. Also, these two walls are such beautiful elements inthemselves that they enhance the image overall.

Photo Tip: Be creative when shooting iconic subjects, and try different compositions. Rememberthat you dont always have to show the whole statue or object.

SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

Reclining Buddha, Thailand


5/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byJohn Creech Jr., My Shot


Sometimes theres a beauty in a purely abstract image. Shooting in black and white and playingaround with depth of field are ways to create images that mesmerize us with their shapes andforms. The success of this shot, for me, is the shallow depth of field. A sharp depth of field wouldhave been very confusing, as all the elements would have been in focus. The interplay betweenthe sharp tags and the soft ones, as well as the light and dark, make for an image that has stayingpower: You want to keep looking at it endlessly.

Photo Tip: Use shallow depth of field when shooting busy abstract images.

SEPTEMBER 4, 2011

Dog Tag Chandelier, Fayetteville Veterans Park


6/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byGlenn Nagel, My Shot


I have heard that there is a rule in photography never to place your main subject dead center. Butin my opinion there are no rules of composition in photography; composition should fit the subjectmatter. The impact of this photograph is the tortoise's remarkable face. Also, by putting him right inthe middle, we can admire both his symmetry, and his asymmetry: The crooked line of his mouth iswhat gives him character.

The giant size of the creature is implied by filling fully half of the top half of the frame with the shell.Because the focus is sharp on the face and slightly out of focus on the shell, the eye is drawn rightto the middle, to the sharpness of the eyes and the texture of the face.

Photo Tip: Let the subject matter dictate the composition; sometimes dead center is the rightchoice.

SEPTEMBER 5, 2011

African Spurred Tortoise


7/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byBoryana Katsarova, My Shot


This photograph takes my breath away with its simple contrast of elements. The angel wings madeup of white handprints is exquisitely beautiful in itself. But the additional elementsthe phonelines, rough stone wall, dirty satellite dish, and personmake the art even more lovely. Thesecontrasts give the photograph a sense of poignancy. Most people would want to crop out theunsightly electrical wires and satellite dish. But it is precisely these "dirty" elements that bring outthe ethereal beauty of the white handprints.

Photo Tip: When shooting murals, or wall art, bring in elements other than the art itself.

SEPTEMBER 6, 2011

Angel Wings, Istanbul, Turkey


8/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byNick Otto, My Shot


I love all the empty space around the swimming platform. It shows how the lake is both huge andpeaceful. The figures of the people become very small, and what makes the shot is the person

jumping from the platform and appearing especially tiny surrounded by all that water.

Photo Tip: Dont be afraid to have a lot of open space in your photos. Wide open space is asmuch an element as the objects and subjects in your photos.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2011

Swimmers, Lake Superior, Minnesota


9/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byAnurag Kumar, My Shot


What makes this shot work is the dramatic burst of blue spurting into the crowd. No matter howfrenetic and energy-filled the scene is, there still needs to be a moment among the frenzy. The

blue hand also gives us one sharp point of focus in a sea of turbaned heads. Importantly, thevibrant blue contrasts so well with the yellows and the reds, making the whole scene alive withvitality.

Photo Tip: When shooting a bustling crowd scene, its especially important that you capture amoment, a specific something happening amid the chaos.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

Holi Celebration, India


10/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byXavier Coll Sola, My Shot


This picture captures a BASE jumpers brief moment of freefall, and the expansive viewtheocean, the city far below, the beaches and shoreline, the mountains behindputs the viewer into

the jumper's experience. The key to this photograph is the tilted horizon, which exaggerates thefeeling of vertigo and adds to the sense of disorientation and suspension that the photo creates. Atilted horizon line may break a "rule" of photography, but subject matternot rulesshoulddetermine composition.

Theres another detail I love in this shotthe cropped foot. Its as if the jumper is safely held inplace by the top of the frame. But we know that this is false, that hes in fact held by nothing.

Photo Tip: Break rules of composition, and dont be afraid to tilt the horizon when the subjectmatter calls for it.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2011

BASE Jumper, Spain


11/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byVlad Min, My Shot


The inclusion of the motorcycle in this image is essential to understanding the scale of the setting,and that detail is what makes this shot work. Also, a person riding a motorcycle is a far moreeffective detail than a passing car would have been; we feel the emptiness of the long, windingroad even more acutely.

Although the image has great light and the curves make for a graceful composition, its notcomplete without the motorcycle. Getting a shot like this may require a long wait, but a key detail,however small, may make the shot.

Photo Tip: Even if you have to wait a long time for the right kind of detail, its worth it if it meanscapturing the element that makes the shot.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

Middle Atlas Mountains, Morocco


12/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byGuido Mandozzi, My Shot


The key with sunsets is that you have to have subject matter, such as this boardwalk and people.You cant just shoot the sun. Although the orb is lovely, it is the people and their shapes that makethis an interesting picture. Including subject matter also gives you a sense of place. A sun settingover a body of water could be anywhere. And sunsets are a perfect excuse for shootingsilhouettes.

In this image, I want to keep looking at the silhouettes; the variety of body language is intriguing.With silhouettes, each shape must be carefully defined, with no two shapes overlapping. In thisphoto, we keep seeing more as we keep looking. I love the two figures, third from the left, placedright between the diagonal lines of the pier, as well as the woman placed dead center in betweenthe next pair of diagonal lines.

Photo Tip: Always include subject matter, such as silhouettes, in your sunset photos, and watch

that the shapes have separation between them.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2011

Sunset, Fort Myers Beach, Florida


13/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byMaruf Hossain, My Shot


This wonderful technique of panning lets us experience the heady rush the little girl feels on theride. By slowing down the shutter and moving the camera at exactly the same speed as the girl'sface, she stays sharp, while everything else is a blur. Its a great way to show both motion and thefeel of being in that motion. Its essential in panning to keep one element sharp, and I think thatelement should be a face so the viewer can identify with the person having the experience.

Photo Tip: Try panning to show the experience of being in motion.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2011

Girl on Swing, Bangladesh


14/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byTommy Harris, My Shot


When I was a novice photographer, I learned from my mentor that a successful compositionshould lead your eye around the frame in a graceful curve. So it is with this remarkable landscapeof swirling clouds, sun, and mountains. The contrast between the soft, gentle, snowy slopes andthe sharp, jagged black peaks makes me feel both seduced and afraid, which is surely how amountain climber must feel.

We first notice the three climbers. Tiny, they show us just how towering these peaks are. They arelike the all-important first notes to a grand and bold symphony. We then follow the climbers' tracks,which trace the same elegant shape of the snowy ridge. The eye then climbs up toward the middlepeak at dead center top, then finally to the upper left of the frame. That movement is key to thesuccess of the composition.

Photo Tip: Compose so that your eye moves gracefully around the frame, taking in all the

elements in a harmonious way.

SEPTEMBER 13, 2011

Alpine Climbers, Midi-Plan Traverse, France


15/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byPoh Siang Seah, My Shot


There are many different ways to shoot sports. This image is so boldly graphic that if we didntknow they were climbers, we might think we were looking down on them as "crawlers." That thephotographer chose to shoot it absolutely straight on, keeping the lines perfectly straight andparallel, only emphasizes the quirky shapes of the climbers themselves. I love that he places thethree climbers to the far right, which also adds to the sense of humor of the image.

Photo Tip: Sports photography doesnt always have to be wildly dramatic; try using bold graphicelements where possible.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2011

Climbing Wall, Singapore


16/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byCarl Whetham, My Shot


Photographers are always trying to get backstage during a performance because this is where thereal gems are, those moments in between. This is a perfect example. This image has all the graceand beauty that the ballerina might express onstage, yet she is in her own world backstage.

In this captured moment, out of the limelight, the ballerina is awash in shades of blue. Shebecomes a semi-silhouette, and this shows her form so beautifully. The slight movement in bothher arms emphasizes the perfect shape of her hourglass figure. The slight profile of her face addsthe final grace note.

Finally, I love the small, out-of-focus figures at the end of the stage, perfectly placed between thetall curtains and just above the ballerina's arm. The space between her arm and the figures isessential.

Photo Tip: Get out of the audience and away from the actual performance. Magic moments canbe found backstage or in the curtains, at the edges.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

Ballerina, Kazakhstan


17/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byJack Paulus, My Shot


Caves can be very hard to shoot. Challenges include locating the spot with the most interestingelements and the need to return to a certain place over and over.

In this shot, the combination of the warmly lit stalagtites and stalagmites, the intense turquoise ofthe water, and the curious stone "jetty" create a dynamic and intriguing setting. (You dont alwayshave to bring along flashes, as caves open to the public are often lit to highlight the most dramaticrock formations.)

As with most successful photographs, theres a single element that makes this one captivating: theshaft of light coming down from the roof of the cave. Sometimes you have to go back again andagain to capture that remarkable detail that makes the shot sing. Its the light beam and the circleof light on the water that gives this image an almost religious quality.

Photo Tip: You may have to return repeatedly to a spot to capture the special quality of light thattransforms a photograph from ordinary to enchanting.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2011

Cenotes, Chichn-Itz, Mexico
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/gallery/317203/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/gallery/317203/


18/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byShivji Joshi, My Shot


This simple image is all about symmetry and, I would bet, persistence. I doubt the photographerjust happened to be standing in the desert when these five women walked by. To get this kind ofphotograph, you need to spend time with people and follow along with them. In this shot, eachwoman is stepping forward, and this creates a lovely harmony of movement. Also, each sari isbillowing out in the same direction, and the women are evenly separated, which adds to the senseof harmony. To achieve this kind of symmetry, you may have to walk or run alongside the womenfor as long as it takes to get this shot.

Photo Tip: You may have to spend quite a while with your subjects, following alongside them, toget that perfect shot.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

Desert Crossing, Rajasthan, India


19/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byRasko Ristic, My Shot


The choice to make an image in black and white should be based on subject matter. This OldWorld scene, with its stone walls, brick street, and classic Volkswagen, is a perfect choice for ashot in black and white because we can enjoy all the textures and shapes without being distractedby color. That the photographer chose to fill more than half the frame with the street's wonderfulpatterns underlines that the image is about the textural delight of this timeless place.

Photo Tip: Black and white photography is a perfect choice when you want to bring out textures,especially when theres a sense of nostalgia or timelessness about the subject.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2011

Street Scene, Rio de Janeiro


20/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byWilfried Niedermayr, My Shot


Shooting over/under photos is a fun alternative to just shooting underwater. The use of the over/under water camera for this shot is perfectit highlights the tension inherent in any shot of a sharkin the water. Seeing this view of both the waters placid surface and the creatures lurking belowmakes me feel like a swimmer at the surface with my legs dangling below. The closeness of one ofthe sharks, and its size, adds to the drama. The contrast is also emphasized by the beautifulturquoise sea and puffy white clouds. Its not easy to get these over/under shots, and one needs toshoot many frames and be well positioned close to the fish.

Photo Tip: Consider over/under photos as alternatives to underwater shots. The key is to havestrong subject matter in the water.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2011

Sharks, Bahamas


21/31

Photo of the day

Photograph by Mark Kurtz, Your Shot


This image of fireworks at a winter carnival has both a sense of serenity and an explosive energy.The inclusion of people gazing at the fireworks as they explode emphasizes the dynamism of thedisplay, and the luminous ice sculptures contrast with the appearance of fire shooting into the sky.Rather than shooting the fireworks at a fast shutter speed to achieve the classic starburst effect,the photographer slowed down the shutter for a three-second exposure. The slow shutterexaggerates the explosive look of the fireworks.

Photo Tip: Contrasting elements make photographs more dynamic. Try adjusting the shutterspeed to bring out the essence of an element.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake, New York
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/your-shot/your-shothttp://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/your-shot/your-shot


22/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byLisa Armstrong, My Shot


p>Focus is key in successful macro photography, in which a shallow depth of field is inherent. Inthis photo, taken at f/2.8, the bird of paradise flower is soft, while the grasshopper is sharp. Thisputs the viewer in the insects tiny world. The lines of its body follow the lines of the flower, whilethe detail of his carapace and the spikes on one leg are razor sharp. Consider carefully what youwant to be in focus. When photographing insects, for instance, its essential for the eyes to besharp.

Photo Tip: When shooting in macro, choose carefully which elements to have sharp. For example,in a photograph of an insect choose the most beautiful elements, and always keep the eyes sharp.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2011

Grasshopper, Honduras


23/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byLeslie Alsheimer, My Shot


A successful image is often one that makes viewers think. The mystery of why these six childrenare peering into the cracks of this "pub" in Uganda is what makes this photo amusing, delightful,and curious. The use of the wide-angle lens indicates that the photographer is physically close, butthe children are so absorbed that they dont notice. The wide angle is particularly appropriate forthis shotit adds quirkiness to the quality of the image.

Photo Tip: An image that leaves viewers questioning whats happening can be intriguing, butchoose your lens carefully. In this case, the wide angle emphasizes the sense of mystery.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

Pub, Uganda


24/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byPetr Cunderlik, My Shot


When shooting landscapes, good light is absolutely essential, which is why photographers oftenrise before dawn. This photograph is all about the exquisite first light of day, which gives it amagical quality. Also, the still water serves as a mirror for the tree, and its reflection is what makesthe photograph sing. Light changes very fastyou may only have ten minutes before this wouldbe a very different shot.

Photo Tip: For landscape shots, its essential to be on location for the first light of the day.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2011

Nov Mlny, Czech Republic


25/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byKamala Kannan, My Shot


By photographing the shadow of the child running with balloons rather than the actual child, thephotographer captured an image that immediately stops us in our tracks. Though the shadow isflat, it has so much movement and life. What is most surprising is how vibrant the colors are, andthis is because the background is white/off-white.

Photo Tip: Keep your eyes open and notice whats all around youthe primary subject may notactually make the most interesting photo.

SEPTEMBER 24, 2011

Boy With Balloons, India


26/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byDave Elliott, My Shot


Wildlife photography is often about capturing animals in action or in their natural habitat. Butshooting portraits of animalscapturing them in much the same way as you would peoplecanalso be an interesting approach. This portrait of the two lions has an almost artificial quality,emphasized by the somewhat shallow depth of field, short focal lens, and fairly flat lighting, as wellas by the immediacy of the gaze. Both lions are looking directly into the camera, but its the sharpfocus of the lion on the right that arrests the viewer. Clearly, the photographer has commanded itsattention.

Photo Tip: Think about approaching wildlife photography as portraiture: Use shallow depth offield, a medium focal length lens, and available portrait lightingand command the direct gaze ofthe subject.

SEPTEMBER 25, 2011

White Lions, South Africa


27/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byGarret Suhrie, My Shot


The mysterious, moody quality of this image is achieved with a slow shutter speed, which givesboth the water and the mist a wonderful, swirling movement. The slow shutter also makes thesupporting elements work: the blue in the dusk sky, the lights on the opposite shore.

Photo Tip: Try slowing down the shutter when you shoot waterthis always adds an interestingeffect.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2011

Rhine Falls, Switzerland


28/31

Photo of the day

Hot Air Balloons, CappadociaPhotograph byKani Polat, My Shot


The success of a photograph almost always comes from planning, and luck definitely favors theprepared. In this shot of hot air balloons over ancient rock formations in Turkey, the photographerno doubt planned ahead to make sure he was in the right place at the right time. First, the cone-shaped rock formations complement the similarly shaped balloons. I especially love that one largerformation is included on the left. Not only is it a bold shape to have close to the camera, but it alsohas a curious, cave-like element and speaks to the geological history of the setting, giving theimage that all-important sense of place. Second, the early-morning light raking in from the right isperfectly lovely, as are the soft clouds, which were a lucky element. Finally, the balloons arebeautifully placed across the sky, but the red balloon in the upper left of the frame is the final, keyelement to the success of the image.

Photo Tip: Planning ahead is essential to getting successful photographs: Be in the right place atthe right time, and be ready for a lucky moment.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2011

Hot Air Balloons, Cappadocia
http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photographers/photographer-catherine-karnow/http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/gallery/341565http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/myshot/gallery/341565


29/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byChris Neale, My Shot


I love the simplicity of this image, which draws you in and keeps you there. There is absolutelynothing fancy about the shot, achieved with a basic 70mm lens. Its the subject matter that makesit compelling, but in a subtle way. What especially makes the shot for me is the beautiful wave inthe horses mane and forelock. I also love that the photographer included the open sky andmountain, but without unnecessary drama, showing just that gentle peak and the simple elementsof the tree and log.

Photo Tip: Sometimes its the simple shots that are the most effective. You dont always need longand wide lenses and dramatic subject matter to make beautiful images.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2011

Wild Horse, Mongolia


30/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byClaire Wroe, My Shot


The tilt shift lens, often used in architectural photography, is fun to use for rendering actual settingsinto scale-model worlds in which people look like toy figures. Because youre altering the planes offocus and drawing the eye to a narrow area of the photograph, a specific point of interest must beincluded. In this image, the two small figures walking through the "maze" are essential elements. Ilove that one of the people is wearing something red, providing the only bright color in the entireimage.

Photo Tip: When using the tilt shift lens to show a scene as a world in miniature, be sure to havea clear point of focus, such as a person or people within the scene.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2011

Machu Picchu, Peru


31/31

Photo of the day

Photograph byMike Killion, My Shot


I love the serenity of this shot. In photography, were always after capturing the moment. Butsometimes its powerful not to seize the moment, but to show utter stillness instead. The fact thatthere is no moment and no gesture, that in fact nothing is happening at all, emphasizes the surfer'sserenity. And because hes standing still, we notice the graceful, curved shape of his wetsuit, whichcontrasts with the sharpness of the surfboard and icicles. Finally, the stillness of the subject allowsthe viewer to also be still while looking at the imageand to perhaps feel as the surfer does.

Photo Tip: Capturing the moment is not always necessary in photography. Sometimes having nomoment is more effective.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2011

Ice Surfer, Lake Michigan

201109 Photo of the Day

Documents