Lighthouse Lights by Nicole Laris

Captured during a winter excursion to Mallorca, this image showcases the dramatic intersection of man-made light and the natural landscape. The photographer collaborated with a local friend to illuminate the scene, utilizing car headlights to paint the foreground against the backdrop of a vibrant purple sunset. This long-exposure technique highlights the iconic lighthouse, creating a striking contrast between the deep twilight hues and the artificial glow. The composition is award-worthy for its masterful balance of technical precision and atmospheric storytelling, capturing a fleeting, collaborative moment that transforms a quiet coastal landmark into a luminous, dreamlike vision.

Lighthouse Lights by Nicole Laris
Nikon D7000 | Exposure 1/100sec @ f/3.4 | ISO 250 | Focal Length 24mm
Copyright Β© Nicole Laris
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Nicole Laris

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born and raised in Mexico City, Nicole Laris transitioned from a career in entertainment management to pursue her true passion for photography, eventually relocating to Berlin in 2018. Her journey reflects a profound commitment to personal growth and artistic expression, viewing photography as a transformative tool for self-discovery and inspiration. By embracing the challenges of a creative life, Laris has cultivated a unique visual perspective that seeks to turn past experiences and lessons into evocative, high-quality imagery.

Profile View Full Profile
10.9/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
63/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
8,459 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date July 23, 2019
66.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Cap de Formentor, Mallorca

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Nicole Laris Photography
Night Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (10.6/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,134/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
8,459/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.6/5 points
63/500 Submission
Jury Score: 66.0/80
Resonance Score: 10.6/20
Total Award Score: 76.6/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Rafael Ortega Shutter Technique, Motion & the Cinematic Single Frame Expert Review
The shutter snaps, and the frame holds its breath. Those headlights cut through the Mallorcan twilight like a dolly shot tracking across a set. It’s a gorgeous, artificial intrusion on the dark. I’ve spent nights chasing light like this, and honestly, it makes my heart ache for the silence of that coast. The cut would’ve been a mistake; the stillness here is the only edit that matters. It’s a film that refused to move.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
One suspects the light cooperated on the first attempt. It often does, for the patient. Dragging a friend out to paint a lighthouse with car headlights in the Mallorcan winter isn't exactly a walk in the park, though. I’ve spent enough freezing nights waiting for a shutter to click to appreciate the coordination here. It’s a bit theatrical for my taste, but I’ll admit, the effort shows. They clearly didn't just stumble upon this.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
The headlights carve a violent, artificial scar into the Mallorcan dark, forcing the landscape to yield its secrets. It’s a brutal intrusion, yet I’m struck by how the shadows refuse to retreat, clinging to the cliffs like a forgotten memory. Laris doesn’t just illuminate; she interrogates the night. When the purple sky bleeds into the void, we aren’t looking at a lighthouse. We’re watching the struggle between human vanity and the silence of the abyss.
Deepa Krishnan Underwater Photography, Marine Environments & Subsurface Optics Expert Review
It’s refreshing to see light handled with such intent. Down here, we’re constantly battling the water’s refractive index and the relentless theft of the red spectrum. Laris doesn't have to fight backscatter or strobe-angle shadows, but she’s captured that same ethereal, alien quality I crave. The way those headlights cut through the Mallorcan twilight feels like a bioluminescent bloom in the deep. I’d love to see her bring this precise, deliberate illumination into the abyss.
Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review
We look at this lighthouse and we don’t just see stone; we see a conversation. Nicole didn’t just point her lens; she invited a friend to dance with the light. Those car beams cutting through the purple dusk feel like a shared secret between two people. It’s a portrait of a place that’s been truly heard. I’ve felt that quiet hum of collaboration before, and it honestly makes my heart ache for the coast. It’s beautiful.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Astrid Halvorsen

The Edge of the Dark

There is a specific weight to the air just after the sun has surrendered, when the sky turns the bruised violet of a late October dusk.

Read the reflection →
By Yuki Sato

A Beacon in the Quiet

There is a particular kind of grace found in the transition between day and night. It is a threshold, a soft folding of the world where the sharp edges of reality begin to blur into memory.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

Share your thoughts about this award-winning photograph. Your reviews contribute to the community engagement score.

5 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Weight of CinnamonDessert for Winter by Diep Tran - Food Photography, Photography Awards, Art Photography, Online Photography Courses, Photo of the Day(c) Light & Composition UniversityAn Old Man of Hoi An by Shirren Lim - Portrait Photography, Photojournalism, Photography Awards, Photo of the Day, Art Photography(c) Light & Composition UniversityThe Geography of Skin