Glow by Orhan Aksel

Captured in the historic city of Istanbul, Glow is a masterclass in abstract photography that pushes the boundaries of light and texture. Orhan Aksel utilized a precise technical setup, employing a 60mm lens at a narrow f/32 aperture to achieve deep focus and intricate detail. By leveraging the Nikon Creative Lighting System with an SB600 flash, the photographer sculpted the subject with deliberate, rhythmic illumination. The resulting image transforms a simple subject into a luminous, ethereal composition, demonstrating an exceptional command of light that elevates the mundane into a compelling, award-worthy visual experience.

Glow by Orhan Aksel
Nikon D700 with Nikon AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED
Exposure 1/80sec @ f/32 | ISO 125 | Focal Length 60mm
Copyright Β© Orhan Aksel
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Orhan Aksel

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1961, Orhan Aksel is an Istanbul-based industrial and systems engineer who balances a successful career in high-tech with a lifelong passion for photography. Having honed his craft in darkrooms since the age of twelve, he now approaches his work with a philanthropic vision, aiming to support the education of children in need through his artistic pursuits. His photography reflects a sophisticated technical background, blending engineering precision with a deep, evolving creative sensibility.

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15.3/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
464/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
21,406 views | 14 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date August 11, 2010
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 15.0
Style 13.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Istanbul, Turkey

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Abstract Photography
Orhan Aksel Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (15.1/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
2,192/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
21,406/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.5/5 points
10/100 Review
Submissions
4.6/5 points
464/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 15.1/20
Total Award Score: 79.1/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Istanbul’s history isn't found in its monuments, but in the friction of its darkness. Aksel’s aperture choice forces a claustrophobic precision, yet it’s the shadows that truly haunt. They don’t just frame the light; they consume it, turning the mundane into a jagged, existential ache. I’ve stared at this glow for an hour, and it’s unsettlingβ€”it feels like watching a secret being buried alive. It’s not beautiful, but it’s undeniably, terrifyingly true.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most abstract work I’ve seen this year relies on cheap blur to hide a lack of vision. Aksel avoids that trap. By stopping down to f/32, he forces the light to reveal texture rather than just shape. It’s a rare, tactile precision that makes me want to reach out and touch the frame. In thirty years, this won’t look dated because it isn’t about trends; it’s about the raw, rhythmic architecture of light itself.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
F/32 is a brave choice; it’s a recipe for diffraction if one isn't careful. Yet, Aksel has managed to wrestle something coherent from the chaos of Istanbul’s textures. It’s clearly not a snapshot grabbed between coffees. He’s spent time sculpting that light, and I’ll admit, the result has a quiet, rhythmic pulse that’s grown on me. It’s rare to see someone commit this much effort to the mundane. He’s earned his keep here.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
It’s a symphony of bruised ochre and the bruised, translucent violet one finds in a Morandi still life, where the light doesn't merely land but clings to the texture like damp velvet. I’m utterly breathless at how these tones vibrate against the shadows, creating a chromatic tension that feels almost liturgical. It’s not just light; it’s a visceral, glowing hum that makes the mundane architecture of Istanbul dissolve into pure, shimmering, emotional resonance.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Priya Kapoor

The Hum of Amber

The smell of old beeswax always pulls me back to the wooden banister of my childhood home. It was a scent that clung to the palms, thick and golden, like the residue of a summer that refused to end.

Read the reflection →
By Sven Lindqvist

The Weight of a Spark

We spend our lives trying to name things. We label the stone, the tree, the shadow. We think that by giving a thing a name, we have mastered it.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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14 replies
  5. Hans Lussenburg says:

    I like the composition and hyper clarity of your photo and I am left wondering where the light source is. This is very cool. Thanks and good luck :o)

    Reply

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