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.
Exposure 1/80sec @ f/32 | ISO 125 | Focal Length 60mm
Orhan Aksel
Orhan Aksel was born in 1961. He is an Industrial and Systems engineer, graduated from University of Florida in ’86. Since then he is the founder and owner of a high-tech company in Istanbul. He has been a passionate amateur photographer since he was 12, who grew up in darkrooms. Recently he decided to step up his photography, hoping that one day he can earn money through this hobby and to donate for the education of the needy children of the world. It is still a hobby to him, but just became a philanthropic one. Eventually he wants to shift his carrier more to this direction. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="145"] Orhan Aksel[/caption] Camera Gear: Nikon D700 Lenses: Vivtar Series I 70-210mm manual lens Current Location: Istanbul, Turkey Flickr: http://www.flickr.co
Resonance Score Breakdown
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Expert Photography Reviews · 4
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Read the reflection →Reviews & Comments
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mesmerising. the colours, the light and the harmony – breathtaking. thx
Beautiful.
So beautiful – outstanding use of light!!
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.
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.
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.
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 unsettling—it feels like watching a secret being buried alive. It’s not beautiful, but it’s undeniably, terrifyingly true.
What a great picture!!! wow!!!”senza parole”
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)
Its really amazing.
Excellent photo!
nice …love the color n light effect….
superb!!..
That is a cool picture. Love the colors.