Photograph by Steve Winter , National Geographic
A jaguar on the hunt trips a camera trap at a spot frequented by piglike peccaries, a favorite prey. To the Waorani, one of the native groups in this area, jaguars are ancestral spirits that visit shamans in dreams to tell them where game is plentiful in the forest.
Watch a behind-the-scenes video from the shoot » See the world's wildest places » Download big cat wallpapers »
Photograph by Alexander Zozulya, Your Shot
Mozyr, Gomel region, Belarus, April 2012
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I love when a photo surprises me. The first few times I looked at this frame I was sure it was a screen grab from a surveillance video. The more I looked at it, I came to realize that the graininess I was seeing was actually the texture of the ground beneath, lightly dusted with snow. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on black-and-white photography and other special techniques » Get tips on photographing weather »
Photograph by Aydin Palabiyikoglu, Your Shot
A performer in an Aztec ritual dance during a D a de los Muertos celebration in Los Angeles
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I like that the photographer chose to go tight on the dancer rather than show the wider scene. The effect is that it becomes not so much about the movement of the dance but the energy of the dancer, which is interesting. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on breaking the rules of photography »
Photograph by Jason van der Valk, Your Shot
A large vessel makes her way through the Juan de Fuca Strait near Victoria, British Columbia, on the southern shores of Vancouver Island.
Through heavy cloud cover over the ocean, the sun threw down many rays. I could see this ship nearing the bright light and waited until it was in the middle.
I exposed for the extreme highlights, leaving the rest underexposed and presenting a very dramatic image.
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Patience has its rewards, as evidenced here. The dramatic beauty of this photograph, with the lone ship silhouetted against the sunlit swath of ocean, dwarfed by the sea and sky, is what first caught my attention. Hearing the story behind it made me appreciate it even more as an intentional work of art. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on using light to create beautiful images » Learn the virtues of patience in photography »
Photograph by Vincent Ma , My Shot
Sydney Harbour Bridge climbers don special suits for the 2.5-hour climb. The suits are meant to blend in with the bridge and are designed not to distract passing traffic below. The climb starts from the southern end. The north shore suburb Kirribilli can be seen to the right of the bridge.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The three parts of this photograph the iron structure of the bridge, the straight line of climbers in the center, and the neighborhood below are well balanced and present a complete scene. The blue of the climbers' jackets provide just enough color to make them stand out. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing cities » See pictures of Australia from our community »
Photograph by Jason Wiles , My Shot
Rough green snake in a Japanese maple tree. The irony of this photograph is that this incredibly angry looking pose is actually the snake yawning.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The focus of the frame, the snake s yawning mouth, is tack-sharp, which is what makes this a success. I also appreciated the extra information from the photographer, as I too would have assumed this was one disgruntled fellow. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing nature » Get tips on flash photography »
Photograph by Clementine Crey, Your Shot
This photo was taken on the ferry that goes to Mrauk U, a small village in eastern Myanmar (Burma). Using a slow boat is the only way to reach the ancient Burmese capital. This man is the cook on board. On the way back, I saw him making the same dish, with the same ingredients, again. I wondered how many times he d done it before
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I love photographs that give me the opportunity to put visual clues together to get a sense of a culture. The overhead angle allows me to really see what this man s work is about, including the ingredients he s working with. And the composition of the round bowls is also appealing. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing food and culture » Get tips on photographing people in places » See pictures of Myanmar »
Photograph by Mark Bridger , My Shot
A wild barn owl flying over Norfolk reeds at dusk
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I have an affinity for owls. Knowing that not everyone may feel as I do, I try to limit myself to one owl photograph per month, and I m happy for the chance to run this one in February. The light is beautiful and the composition nicely balanced, with the owl punctuating the empty space above the reeds. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing wildlife » Get tips on photographing nature » Download bird wallpapers»
Photograph by Paramit Supadulchai , My Shot
"All things must pass away. Strive for your own salvation with diligence," said the Buddha, his last words. Here, 1,127 monks are lighting floating lanterns at the temple of Song Pee Nong (literally means two brothers) as part of their pilgrimage. Suphan Buri Province, Thailand .
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? It s no surprise that a scene as photogenic as this one is a favorite of photographers the dark sky contrasted with the orange robes of the monks and the glowing lanterns is warm and pleasing. What makes this frame special for me is that it is shot from below, which emphasizes the outstretched arms of the monks releasing the lanterns into the sky. I also like the small detail of the exploding fireworks in the background, echoing the shape of the lanterns. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on using available light » Get tips on photographing people in their element » See pictures of Thailand from our community »
Photograph by Max Seigal , My Shot
I watched as the beautiful full moon rose at Annapurna Base Camp, lighting up the entire landscape as if it were daylight. It provided the perfect lighting for this photo as I set up my tripod and shot one of the few majestic 8,000-meter peaks on this planet, surrounded by a starry night backdrop.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The colors here are beautiful, but what I really like are the layered textures illuminated by the unseen moon the soft feel of the mountains in the foreground, the airy delicateness of the clouds, the chiseled ice of the mountain face under the thick blanket of stars. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
See pictures of Nepal from our community »
Photograph by Marko Savic , My Shot
In a hidden street I found this cafe. It looked like a scenography for some movie. I loved the atmosphere and the pictures on the wall. The lighting was really dramatic, and the man with the cigar was in just the right place.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I agree with the photographer this does feel like a scene in a film, with all the elements working together to provide a cohesive sense of place: the picture of the couple on the wall, the patrons sitting in just the right spot by the window. What makes this great, of course, is that the scene is one the photographer happened upon, a lucky find. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing people » Find out which lenses to take when you travel » Get tips on using available light »
Photograph by Mohammad Rakibul Hasan, My Shot
Due to the effect of climate change, in 2007 Tropical Cyclone Aila hit Gabura Union, a coastal island of Bangladesh . Now people from this place are recovering from their wounds. Children are playing cricket in a salty, barren field.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Having an element coming in from the edge of the frame can be distracting, but in this case, the pitcher s hand reaching in from the left creates suspense and mirrors the anticipation of the players as the ball is struck. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Break the rules of photography » Get tips on photographing people »
Photograph by Jeremy Lock , My Shot
A dead tree towers over the jungle canopy in the rain forest of the Mosquito Coast, Honduras .
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? What works for me here is the contrast, in color and shape, of the dead tree and surrounding mass of vegetation. It seems as if the tree is rising out of the jungle. With nothing to distract the eye, this is a great example of less being more. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on aerial photography and other techniques » See pictures of life in green »
Photograph by Mahdi Dehestani , My Shot
In the middle of a long journey in the U.K. , while walking at Cardiff Bay in Wales, I was distracted by children screaming in happiness on a carousel. I could hardly remember the last time I was on one of those but could clearly remember the joy.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The whole of this photograph, from the expression of glee on the girl to her hair flowing behind her, conveys the feeling of joy in motion. And I like that she is dead center right in the middle of the fun. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Break the rules of photography » See pictures of European cities from our community »
Photograph by Nadya Kulagina , My Shot
A black trevally letting the sardines get used to it before attacking them unexpectedly
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? While I typically associate underwater photography with vivid colors, I have come to really appreciate scenes done in black and white. The contrast allows me to focus on the arc of the silvery sardines as the black trevally closes in. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get underwater photography tips » See pictures of ocean wildlife »
Photograph by Brian Poon, Your Shot
This is a photo of Seattle 's Space Needle looking through the Olympic Iliad sculpture, both of which are located in Seattle Center.
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The color and shape of this structure are striking of course, but I really like how you get a glimpse of a familiar icon, the Space Needle, while looking through the abstraction of a less familiar one. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing iconic places » See pictures of life in red »
Photograph by Heather Anne Campbell , My Shot
Spending the holidays traveling means fewer tourists and more clouds. This photo was taken on Christmas in Florence , Italy. Very few people were walking around, and the air was very still.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? This photograph has a delicate, painterly quality, which is lovely. The soft, gray light and the choice to show more sky above the bridge than water below reinforces the stillness of the day the photographer describes. —Alexa Keefe
See pictures of European cities from our community » Get tips on photographing cities »
Photograph by Matthew Ferri, Your Shot
Hurricane Sandy swept through Manhattan, taking much of the city's power with it. I explored the streets for hours in pure darkness, trying to find any light that I could. The main source of light in the city came from first responders vehicles, food carts fighting the cold, and flashlights from dedicated pet owners. When this street was empty, I was unable to make out objects ten feet away.
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I like that the photographer chose to capture this scene using a long exposure. The resulting effect creates a clear juxtaposition between the dark quiet of the monolithic buildings and the vibrancy of people continuing to go about their lives. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Photograph by Brian Shuchuk, Your Shot
A moment captured during a trek in Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia , in November 2012
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Last month I ran a photograph of rather terrifying-looking geladas in full attack mode. The gelada here looks equally formidable, but I like the chance to focus on its beauty, especially the brilliance of the red markings on its chest. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing nature » Get tips on photographing wildlife »
Photograph by Petra Warner , My Shot
A reed frog blending in with a water lily awaits its meal of flies in Botswana .
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I have seen many tightly composed shots of creatures on flowers, quite often beautiful and well done. What I love about this one, though, is the presence of the flies. They add an element of grit to an otherwise pristine-looking scene. Here, it s not only about capturing the creature on the flower but also conveying the broader environment in this case, the next meal. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing nature » Download flower wallpapers »
Photograph by Amy Sacka , My Shot
My earliest memories of Detroit are of the doors locking when we drove into town. I live here now, and I am trying to unlock things.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? When I first looked at this, I thought the perfectly framed buildings in the background were reflections. Then I realized that what I thought was an intact structure is actually a facade. It s hard to tell whether it s a remnant of better days or a sign of new beginnings, but either way it speaks to the idea of a city at a crossroads. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on black and white photography and other special techniques » Get tips on photographing cities » See pictures of Detroit »
Photograph by Rob Leslie, Your Shot
This unedited image was taken with a tripod mounted in the Pacific Ocean during a winter sunset in White Rock, British Columbia, Canada . Taken at the moment a rock was thrown into the water.
(This photo and caption were submitted to Your Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I find this photograph a lot of fun and clever. Though the elements are simple water, sun, and a splash effect together they create the illusion of fire. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on freezing motion » Get tips on using available light »
Photograph by Sylwia Domaradzka , My Shot
I took this image during my last trip to Poland , where I was amazed by these birds. It seems like every one of them wanted to dominate the group. Displays of such mild aggression were very common.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The first thing that grabbed me about this photograph was the obvious the moment of interaction between the eagles. But after spending more time with this picture, I also came to appreciate the smaller birds on the periphery, like spectators at the main event. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing wildlife » Get tips on capturing the moment » See pictures of birds of prey »
Photograph by SamanthaLyn Samuelson , My Shot
In November, the high country's evening light is amazing.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Photography is all about light, and waiting for just the right time of day to capture a scene has its well-earned rewards. The soft, luminous light of the blue hour the time right after the sun sets and as the moon is rising makes a photograph sing like nothing that can be achieved in postproduction. The contrast of the twilight sky and the red of the hills is gorgeous, and the framing of the moon between the trees completes the scene. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing the night sky » Get tips on using available light » Get tips on photographing weather »
Photograph by SamanthaLyn Samuelson , My Shot
In November, the high country's evening light is amazing.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? Photography is all about light, and waiting for just the right time of day to capture a scene has its well-earned rewards. The soft, luminous light of the blue hour the time right after the sun sets and as the moon is rising makes a photograph sing like nothing that can be achieved in postproduction. The contrast of the twilight sky and the red of the hills is gorgeous, and the framing of the moon between the trees completes the scene. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on using available light » Get tips on photographing weather »
Photograph by Guy Mokia , My Shot
This long-exposure photo was taken in Jeremie, Haiti, as local fishermen tried to salvage a ship that got stuck, using the waves to bring pieces of the ship back to shore.
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? I find this tableau to be hauntingly beautiful, from the smoothed waves to the ghostlike figures in the surf. I get the feeling of time passing as the waves roll in, first carrying pieces of the ship ashore, then ultimately erasing the entire scene. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
See pictures from National Geographic's Photo Camp » Get tips on using time exposure »
Photograph by Wael Massalkhi , My Shot
Deer enjoying the wavy fields in southern Moravia in the Czech Republic
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The color and texture of the evenly planted rows make me think of an iridescent fabric, like taffeta or velvet. This is appealing in itself, but it s the tiny figures of the deer that make the shot and give the eye a place to rest. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing landscapes » See more travel photography »
Photograph by Kenzie Reynen, Your Shot
I found a monarch chrysalis on a piece of bark while at work on a farm one day. Maybe I should not have brought the bark home, but I did, in anticipation of watching the monarch emerge. After a little over a week of life in a jar, the chrysalis changed colors, and the butterfly began to emerge. It was absolutely fascinating. This is the jar in which I watched it emerge, in which it first flapped its wings, and from which I freed it. What a beautiful creature.
(This photo was submitted to Your Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? This picture is quite different than what I normally run, which is one of the reasons I chose it. I like the interaction happening between the photographer who cared for the chrysalis, eagerly awaiting its metamorphosis, and the butterfly now going free. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on breaking the rules of photography »
Photograph by Chris Fleisch , My Shot
The line to see the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle
(This photo and caption were submitted to My Shot.)
What Makes This a Photo of the Day? The composition and bold colors work for me the curve of the circle, the yellow of the taxicabs, the black of the pedestrians' clothing. What could very easily be a scene with too much going on comes together thanks to the thoughtful framing. —Alexa Keefe, Photo of the Day editor
Get tips on photographing your neighborhood » See pictures of cities around the world »
