Photo of the Day

A winter fireworks display
September 20, 2011

Winter Carnival, Saranac Lake, New York

This Month in Photo of the Day: Your Photos With Tips From Photographer Catherine Karnow

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 the display, 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 shutter exaggerates the explosive look of the fireworks.

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

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Photograph by Mark Kurtz, Your Shot

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