Northern Lights, Iceland

Photograph by Fred Schalk , My Shot

On this night northern lights had been predicted, so I decided to find a nice spot on the Reykjanes peninsula. However, the sky wasn't very cooperative, especially in the far distance, so on my way over I stopped near an abandoned house, where it was less cloudy. In some ways the outcome was really not so bad because the clouds, the blue spots in the sky, the green northern lights, and the orange reflection of the Reykjavik city lights all mixed together in a multicolor light show.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The cloudy weather, city lights, and aurora come together to make this a layered and complex shot. This is also a great example of working with the conditions you have rather than with those you anticipated and finding them to be ideal after all. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Airplane, Serbia

Photograph by Mihalj Peseki , My Shot

The River Tami near Pan evo, Vojvodina, Serbia

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? There are several elements in this photograph that really work for me, including the contrasting colors of the sky, trees, and airplane, which underscore the simplicity of the composition, and the slightly imperfect reflection in the water. I also love that the airplane makes me think of a dragonfly surveying its domain. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Park, United Kingdom

Photograph by Yi Hsien Lee , My Shot

Two girls wear little going home regardless of the freezing temperature. But it's quite common in the U.K.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? These girls in their matching outfits remind me of heroines in a fairy tale making their way through an enchanted forest. I want them to get home safely and be snug in their beds. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Water Park, Peru

Photograph by Liesl Marelli , My Shot

El Circuito M gico del Agua in Lima, Peru , South America, is a beautiful water park that comes alive at night with young women celebrating quincea eras, children playing in the water, and even adults partaking in the excitement. The nights are magical in Lima but my most fond memory was the night I spent at El Circuito M gico del Agua.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? In most circumstances, this kind of harsh, unflattering light coming from below is the opposite of what you would want when photographing people. In this case, however, it works perfectly to highlight the expressions of delight on their faces while also giving this shot a carnival-like feel. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Aspen Forest, Colorado

Photograph by Ron Azevedo , My Shot

A leaf-covered road entering the deep aspen forests of Colorado

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The emptiness of the leaf-strewn pathway into the forest allows me to picture myself there, ready to embark on an adventure. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Siesta, La Paz

Photograph by Artee Lynne Mamawag , My Shot

A dog taking a siesta with the pigeons in the middle of the main square in La Paz, Bolivia

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? This photograph conjures up the feeling of a lazy afternoon in the sun, a true dog day afternoon. I like how the sparseness of the scene reinforces the sense that all of the two-legged creatures are home having their siestas as well. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Circle of Sparks

Photograph by Alex Coppel , My Shot

Used burning steel wool combined with a moon-filled night to create this amazing effect over a long exposure

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The effect of the circle of sparks is nicely done here and makes for a fun picture. I especially like the figure in the center, making it all happen. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Bicycle Ride, Japan

Photograph by Sun Jie , My Shot

A couple riding a bicycle in front of me, Shinsaibashi, Osaka

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Many times what makes a photograph special are the small details that you don t notice right away. I was first drawn to this photograph by the moment captured part of the blur of city life. But what I love most are the high-heeled shoes worn by the woman perched on the back of the bicycle. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Flamingo, Bolivia

Photograph by David Brickman, Your Shot

Taken at sunrise at Termas de Chalviri, Bolivia , in January 2012. Andean flamingo against the steaming water of the natural hot springs.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The delicate, artistic quality of this photograph really works for me. I m reminded of a silk screen or a scrim on the stage of an opera or ballet, with the lone flamingo opening the show. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Woman, Train Platform

Photograph by Rossella Scalia, Your Shot

"Be sincere: it never crossed your mind to want to see yourself live? You pay attention to living for yourselves, and rightly, with no thought of what in the meanwhile you might be for the others; not because you care nothing about the opinion of others: on the contrary, you care a great deal; but because you live in the blissful illusion that the others, outside, must picture you to themselves as you picture yourself." Luigi Pirandello

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The framing and simplicity are what work for me here. I like catching a glimpse of this lone woman between the passing cars, imagining that a second later, she would be gone. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Shoreline, Japan

Photograph by Akira Takaue , My Shot

Kitaibaraki City, Japan

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I love how minimalist this landscape is air, water, rock, and light. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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New Year Celebration, Thailand

Photograph by Mohd Ming , My Shot

In Thailand , people celebrate Songkran as the traditional New Year s Day. The water splashed is meant as a symbol of washing all of the bad away and traditionally to pay respects to elders, including family members, friends, neighbors, and monks.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I really like seeing the movement of the revelers and the arcs of water being thrown from this vantage point a combination of playfulness and grace. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Ciscoes, Canada

Photograph by Paul Vecsei, Your Shot

I entered the water on a cloudy day in late fall. This is the subarctic underwater world, and few people have ever photographed ciscoes in their natural habitat. Even stranger, this is a rare dwarf form of cisco with a riverine life history component (adfluvial).

After a few minutes, the sun began periodically breaking through the clouds. I noticed this by the strange beams of light fading and reappearing in the current.

(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I like to include underwater images when I can, both because they re popular with viewers and because I enjoy catching glimpses of these landscapes. In this image, I like how the sharp focus of the silvery fish and rays of filtered sunlight add dimension and depth. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Wildflowers

Photograph by Balazs Kovacs , My Shot

On this day there were many rains. After a drencher I went out to the nearby forest in the late afternoon. The light was amazing in the forest.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Even though the Photo of the Day runs quite large, detail shots often work well, especially when the mood is strong enough to draw me in. When I look at this photograph, I get the feeling of lying in the grass, seeing an abstraction of the world through a filter of sun and rain. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Hippos, Tanzania

Photograph by Ari Goldstein , My Shot

I have often heard that hippos are especially dangerous because of their jaws but was lucky enough to actually witness an adult male's display of strength while on safari in Tanzania .

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? When I first heard how dangerous hippos are, I was both surprised and fascinated. Topping my list of fearsome water creatures were the usual suspects those with visible teeth and sharp snouts. I like how we see both "sides" here: the deceptively calm-looking hippos alongside the one showing us his enormous maw. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Coconut Vendor, Bangladesh

Photograph by Shafayet Apollo , My Shot

A man is bringing green coconuts to his stall. Only he and his family members live on this island. It is a little island named Chera Dip (chera means torn and dip means island). It is an extension of St. Martin s Island. This island is the only coral island in Bangladesh . It is in the Bay of Bengal, southeast of Bangladesh and very near to Myanmar .

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? In this age of photography in which all manner of effects can be achieved postproduction, I find it refreshing to see someone experimenting the old-fashioned way with an actual screen, complete with imperfect seam lines and holes. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Lotus Leaf, Japan

Photograph by Chinagarn Kunacheva , My Shot

I saw this lovely lotus inside the Kyoto Botanical Garden. The fallen petal was on the leaf, giving the contrast of color.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I love found situations like these, in which the elements of the photograph exist in their own perfect, natural composition. This aspect of the photo, along with the sharp details of the water droplet and bug, made it a clear choice. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Ice Cave, Slovenia

Photograph by Peter Gedei , My Shot

Ice caves are melting; that's a fact. In an ice cave on the mountain of Stojna near Ko cevje, Slovenia , the situation has been very dramatic for years. Since 1991 almost four meters of ice have disappeared in the entrance chamber, but at the bottom of the cave emerges a new one. The entrance of this cave faces toward the southeast, which is not common for ice caves. Because of that, the whole area around the entrance is important, and even one cut-down tree can cause huge losses of ice in the cave.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The difference between the surface texture of the ice and that of the rocks is nicely defined here, and the climber in the red suit not only provides a sense of scale but also adds interest. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Lightning, Iran

Photograph by AmirAli Sharifi , My Shot

After three years I went to visit my family in Iran . We traveled to the city of Mahmood Abad in the north of Iran and had the most amazing time together. One night as I was walking on the shore of the Caspian Sea with my sister, I saw distant lightning. I ran to the hotel, grabbed my camera and tripod, and came back. I took many long exposures, but it was only in the second shot that I captured the biggest, most beautiful, and the last lightning of that night.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Extreme weather pictures are popular with viewers, so I m always happy to find one that s well executed and the colors are gorgeous. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Big Ben, London

Photograph by Vaibhav Dubey , My Shot

I took this picture while I was playing with my camera at Westminster Bridge.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I like the way the photographer used the blur of the passing traffic to create a fresh take on an oft-photographed spot. You see the landmarks but also get a feel for the bustle of the city. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Goatherd, Somalia

Photograph by Fahad Badar Bhatti , My Shot

Picture taken during my trip to Somaliland of a little girl who walks two to three hours to the well to get water for her goats and her family

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I like the photographer s straightforward approach to making this portrait. It s clean and uncluttered, which allows us to focus on the moment that s been captured. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Silk Road, Kyrgyzstan

Photograph by Vincent Bonnin , My Shot

In the wild territories of south Kyrgyzstan , not far from the legendary high-altitude Torugart Pass, lies the Tash Rabat Caravanserai. A true reminder of the glorious Silk Road history of travels pictured here on a clear morning sunlight.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I like to have a few strong landscapes in the mix every month. The location itself is of course beautiful, but the photograph also conveys the beauty of the Tash Rabat Caravanserai nestled among the velvety brown hills. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Silk Road, Kyrgyzstan

Photograph by Vincent Bonnin , My Shot

In the wild territories of south Kyrgyzstan , not far from the legendary high-altitude Torugart Pass, lies the Tash Rabat Caravanserai. A true reminder of the glorious Silk Road history of travels pictured here on a clear morning sunlight.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I like to have a few strong landscapes in the mix every month. The location itself is of course beautiful, but the photograph also conveys the beauty of the Tash Rabat Caravanserai nestled among the velvety brown hills. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Museum of Modern Art, New York

Photograph by Gilbert Sape , My Shot

A couple adores Monet's "Water Lilies" at the Museum of Modern Art

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Those who are frequent followers of the Photo of the Day may have noticed that I have a fondness for pictures that resemble paintings. I love the simplicity of this photograph and the way the slightly out-of-focus couple mirrors the work of art they re admiring. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Sandhill Crane, Michigan

Photograph by Jim Ridley , My Shot

I took this photo of a sandhill crane at Wildwing Lake in Brighton, Michigan. The shot was handheld.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The symmetry of the bird and its reflection are what first drew me to this image. I also love the energy captured in the forward movement of the bird as it races across the frame. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Children at Play

Photograph by Huzzatul Mursalin , My Shot

They are brothers and with a limitless spirit they roam the world, with an infinite source of happiness, they feed the world with life; they are the performers of ecstasy and they are the lead entertainers.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? My favorite part of this frame is the little boy at far left. I love his exuberance and how well the silhouette technique works to highlight his expression. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Fireflies

Photograph by Teruo Araya , My Shot

The dream of the night of summer. Many Japanese visualize the dead's soul, seeing the light of a firefly. It is charmed by the light of a firefly as if it was seeing the momentary dream.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Watching fireflies at dusk is for me a quintessential summer moment. The waterfall in the background adds a sense of place and context that makes this image magical. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Bondi Beach, Australia

Photograph by Dylan Maras , My Shot

As I walked along Bondi Beach in Australia I came across this woman in red. I watched her as she fed the seagulls and enjoyed the calmness. When I finally had a chat with her she told me she was from England and has been living in Australia for two years. She told me that every day since she's lived there, she would go to the market and get the seagulls leftover food for free. When I asked her why she did it, she told me the seagulls can t do it. They give her peace; she gives them food.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The layers in this photograph are what I find the most interesting the woman at far right, the seagulls flying overhead, and the surfer in the distance looking toward the woman. This creates a pleasing circular dynamic. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Beauty Salon, Philippines

Photograph by Joses Pul Angelio , My Shot

Just love how artistic this salon is, photographed during a travel photo walk in Aloran, Misamis Occidental, Philippines

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? No matter what the theme of the month, I like to have a mix of city and countryside, of architecture and nature. The bold colors and graphic elements in this frame work well together, making this an easy choice. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Knob-Tailed Gecko

Photograph by Robert McLean , My Shot

Knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus levis occidentalis) in a defensive posture

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? One important consideration I make when selecting a Photo of the Day is whether the image is strong enough to capture and hold my attention. The eye-level view of this beautiful and expressive creature did just that. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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River House, Serbia

Photograph by Irene Becker , My Shot

A house in the middle of the Drina River near the town of Bajina Basta, Serbia

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The long exposure and autumn colors make for a beautiful scene, but, of course, it s the house that captures my imagination. I want to know more about this dwelling with the little red kayak: Does someone live there, ferrying provisions from the shore? Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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Cricket Game, India

Photograph by Danny Pemberton , My Shot

Cricket is the passion and preferred pastime of almost every Indian boy. Playing on their village pitch, these boys don't let scarcity of resources hold them back, improvising with an old tire for wickets and plank of wood for a bat.

(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)

What Makes This a Photo of the Day? This is a great example of an image and caption reinforcing each other. The framing of the player within the tire got my attention right away and also underscored the photographer s comment about the resourcefulness of the players. Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor

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