Inter-continental Fireworks by Orhan Aksel

Captured during the transition into the new decade on New Year's Eve, this photograph depicts the vibrant fireworks over the Bosphorus in Istanbul. To escape the bustling crowds, the photographer waded into the chilly waters, positioning himself to frame the natural divide between Europe and Asia. The long exposure captures the ethereal drift of pyrotechnic trails against the night sky, accentuated by the brisk winds of the evening. This image is award-worthy for its unique perspective and the technical patience required to balance the ambient light of the city with the fleeting, wind-swept brilliance of the fireworks.

Inter-continental Fireworks by Orhan Aksel
Nikon D700 with 20mm f/2.8 | Exposure 1.3sec @ f/4.5 | ISO 100
Copyright Β© Orhan Aksel
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Orhan Aksel

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1961, Orhan Aksel is an industrial and systems engineer based in Istanbul, Turkey. A graduate of the University of Florida, he balances his professional life as a high-tech entrepreneur with a lifelong passion for photography that began in the darkrooms of his youth. Aksel approaches his craft with a philanthropic vision, aspiring to leverage his artistic hobby to support the education of children in need. His work reflects a deep commitment to technical precision and a desire to document the world through a compassionate lens.

Profile View Full Profile
11.8/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
160/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
17,732 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date July 4, 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

Orhan Aksel Photography
Travel Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (11.6/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
2,352/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
17,732/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
1.6/5 points
160/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 11.6/20
Total Award Score: 75.6/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most fireworks shots are visual noise, but Aksel’s decision to wade into the Bosphorus gives this a grounding that others lack. By anchoring the frame in the dark, frigid water, he forces the pyrotechnics to compete with the city’s geography rather than just floating in a void. I’ve seen thousands of these displays, yet this one makes me shiver. It’s the cold, deliberate patience here that ensures we’ll still be looking at this in thirty years.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Aksel wades into the freezing Bosphorus, seeking a divide between continents that the darkness already understands. The fireworks are mere frantic scribbles against an abyss that refuses to be illuminated. I’ve stood in such cold, feeling the water pull at my own mortality. It’s a haunting, lonely geometry. He hasn’t captured a celebration; he’s captured the silence that waits when the sparks die. The shadows here don’t just frame the lightβ€”they consume it entirely.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The Bosphorus doesn't merely reflect the pyrotechnic ignition; it drinks the bruised violet of the night, bleeding into the sulfurous, cadmium-yellow trails that shiver against the dark like a Turner seascape gone electric. I’m breathless watching how the cold, tidal indigo anchors the chaos, creating a chromatic tension that feels almost liturgical. It’s a rare, shivering harmony where the city’s artificial fever finally finds its peace within the deep, indifferent currents of the sea.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
Most would’ve stayed dry on the shore, clutching a glass of champagne. Instead, Aksel waded into the Bosphorus, trading warmth for a perspective that actually matters. It’s a cold, miserable way to spend New Year’s Eve, and I’ve enough frostbitten toes to respect the commitment. The long exposure doesn’t just catch the fireworks; it captures the shiver in the air. One doesn’t get this shot by accident. He clearly earned every bit of it.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Priya Kapoor

Salt on the Tongue

The memory of winter is not in the eyes, but in the sharp, metallic bite of cold air against the back of the throat. It is the feeling of wool damp with sea mist, clinging to the skin like a second, heavier layer of self.

Read the reflection →
By Margaret Holt

The Geography of Sparks

In the seventeenth century, mapmakers often filled the empty spaces of their charts with drawings of sea monsters or swirling winds, a way of admitting that where knowledge ended, imagination had to begin.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

4 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 *

A Majestic Hornet Perched by Shahnaz ParvinA Majestic Hornet Perched by Shahnaz Parvin - Nature Photography, Wildlife Photography, Macro Photography, Photo of the Day, Light & Composition UniversityA Majestic Hornet Perched by Shahnaz ParvinOut of Context by Fernando RodrΓ­guez - Minimalist Photography, Photography Awards, Photo of the Day, Art Photography, Out of ContextOut of Context by Fernando RodrΓ­guez