Colouring the Egyptian Sky by Fabrizio Bues

Captured at the break of dawn near the banks of the Nile, this photograph documents a breathtaking moment as dozens of hot air balloons ascended to mark the conclusion of Ramadan. The photographer skillfully framed the scene as the sun dipped behind the hills, transforming the Egyptian sky into a vibrant canvas of color and movement. This image is award-worthy for its masterful composition and the ethereal quality of light, which perfectly captures the serene yet celebratory atmosphere of the landscape at such a significant cultural moment.

Colouring the Egyptian Sky by Fabrizio Bues(c) Light & Composition University
Nikon | ISO 0
Copyright Β© Fabrizio Bues
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Fabrizio Bues

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Turin, Italy, in 1972, Fabrizio Bues balances a professional career as a Project Manager for an American corporation with a deep-seated passion for photography. His frequent international travels provide the perfect backdrop for his creative pursuits, allowing him to document diverse landscapes and cultural moments. Dedicated to refining his craft, he actively pursues advanced photographic education to elevate his technical skills and artistic vision, consistently seeking to capture the beauty of the world through his lens.

Profile View Full Profile
10.1/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
133/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
7,882 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date January 29, 2019
63.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 17.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Nile River, Cairo, Egypt

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Fabrizio Bues Photography
Travel Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (9.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
3.6/5 points
714/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
7,882/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
1.3/5 points
133/500 Submission
Jury Score: 63.0/80
Resonance Score: 9.9/20
Total Award Score: 72.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Lena Brandstrom Macro Photography, Optics & the Science of the Seen Expert Review
The focal plane here captures the Nile’s morning haze with remarkable acuity. By stopping down, Bues has pushed the diffraction limit just enough to render the balloons as crisp, geometric silhouettes against the sun’s flare. I’m genuinely moved by how the chromatic aberration at the edges of the frame softens the harsh desert light into a painterly glow. It’s a rare instance where the optics don’t just record the scene; they elevate the atmosphere itself.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
Getting up before dawn in Cairo is a chore, but one suspects Bues didn't just stumble upon this. The alignment of those balloons against the rising sun suggests he’d been scouting the riverbank for days, waiting for the wind to behave. It’s a rare, quiet spectacle. I’ve spent enough mornings shivering in the dark to appreciate the commitment here. He didn't just take a picture; he earned the light. It’s a fine, patient piece of work.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Bues offers us a sky saturated with color, yet I find myself mourning the light he’s surrendered. These balloons drift like ghosts, untethered from the gravity of the earth. It’s a pretty spectacle, sure, but it’s terrified of the dark. Where are the shadows of the Nile? Without them, the scene lacks the weight of existence. I’ve spent my life looking for the abyss in a frame, and here, it’s been bleached away by the sun.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Yuki Sato

The Breath of Morning

There is a specific quality to the light that arrives just before the world fully wakes. It is a soft, tentative arrival, a promise that the night has finished its work and the day is ready to begin.

Read the reflection →
By Clara Menezes

The Breath of Morning

There is a specific weight to the air just before the sun fully claims the horizon. It is a thin, fragile threshold where the night’s cool breath still clings to the earth, yet the promise of heat is already stirring in the marrow of the world.

Read the reflection →

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