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Fireworks at Dashehra Diwali Mela by Matthew Orlinski

Captured during the vibrant Dashehra Diwali Mela in Manchester, this photograph documents the dramatic moment fireworks illuminate the sky above the burning effigy of the ten-headed demon king, Ravan. Matthew Orlinski skillfully balances the intense, flickering light of the pyrotechnics against the dark, festive atmosphere of the celebration. The image is award-worthy for its ability to freeze a fleeting, culturally significant event with technical precision, transforming a chaotic public spectacle into a composed, evocative narrative of light, tradition, and urban energy.

Fireworks at Dashehra Diwali Mela by Matthew OrlinskiFireworks at Dashehra Diwali Mela by Matthew Orlinski
Canon EOS 40D | Exposure 1/15sec @ f/4.0 | ISO 800 | Focal Length 17mm
Copyright Β© Matthew Orlinski
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Matthew Orlinski

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Manchester, England, Matthew Orlinski is a computer science PhD student who discovered his passion for photography after receiving his grandfather’s vintage Pentax Super-A. Inspired by the evocative, historical imagery of his grandfather’s past, Orlinski transitioned into documenting the dynamic urban life of Manchester. Though self-taught, he has developed a keen eye for capturing the diverse energy and cultural milestones of his environment, consistently refining his technical skills through immersive, street-level storytelling.

Profile View Full Profile
8.6/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
40/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
7,156 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date August 18, 2021
65.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 17.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Manchester, England

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Matthew Orlinski Photography
Night Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (8.4/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
3.0/5 points
600/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
7,156/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.4/5 points
40/500 Submission
Jury Score: 65.0/80
Resonance Score: 8.4/20
Total Award Score: 73.4/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Deepa Krishnan Underwater Photography, Marine Environments & Subsurface Optics Expert Review
It’s refreshing to see light handled without the crushing weight of water. Down here, we fight the refractive index and the relentless theft of the red spectrum, but Orlinski’s fireworks bloom with a purity I rarely see. There’s no backscatter to blur the edges of that effigy, just crisp, dry air. I’m genuinely envious of how easily he captures those vibrant oranges; they don’t vanish into the blue abyss. It’s a beautifully clear, terrestrial triumph.
Valentina Marchetti Environmental Portraiture & the Dialogue Between Person and Place Expert Review
The sulfurous bloom of fireworks against the Manchester night creates a stage where Ravan’s effigy becomes the protagonist. I’m struck by how the flickering pyrotechnics define the space, turning the crowd into mere silhouettes against the burning demon. It’s a visceral, chaotic theater. The environment here doesn't just frame the event; it consumes it. I find the way the light bites into the darkness absolutely thrillingβ€”it’s a portrait of a city’s collective pulse, not just a spectacle.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/15sec at f/4.0, ISO 800, 17mm. It’s a gamble that barely pays off. The shutter speed is too slow for handheld work, resulting in predictable motion blur on the pyrotechnics. I’ve spent years correcting this kind of laziness. The sensor noise at ISO 800 on a 40D is frankly distracting. It’s technically sloppy, yet the framing of the Ravan effigy is sharp enough to hold my attention. I’m annoyed that I actually like it.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Ravan’s effigy burns, yet the true violence lies in the encroaching blackness. Orlinski’s fireworks don’t merely illuminate; they interrogate the void. I’m unsettled by how the darkness swallows the crowd’s joy, leaving only the cold, mechanical geometry of the sky. It’s a brutal reminder that light is just a temporary intrusion upon the inevitable. When I look at those ten heads dissolving into soot, I don’t see a celebration. I see the silence that follows every explosion.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Tom Bretherton

Sparks in the Dark

I remember standing in a crowded square in Leeds, years ago, when the sky suddenly fractured into a thousand pieces of gold.

Read the reflection →
By Isabelle Park

Sparks in the Dark

I spent half of this morning trying to fix a string of lights that refused to turn on. I sat on the floor, untangling the wires, feeling a bit annoyed at how easily things break. Then, I looked up and saw the dust motes dancing in a sliver of sunlight, and I just stopped.

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