Jagged shadows fracture, sloping across the countenance of the Milan Cathedral. Various facets of light cleave through the incised edges of Gothic minutiae. Drawing one’s gaze to the heavens above, the noble spires act as a testament towards the cathedral’s perpetual longing for enlightenment.

Hand in hand, a grandmother and her granddaughter emerge from the deep hush of the ancient passage out into the warm, golden morning. From the first step onto the sun drenched pavement, the city unfurled before them in a symphony of car horns and conversations. Holding a pocket of shade for her grandmother, the sun delivered their soothing rays of warmth.

The Urban Light Show in Los Angeles County of Museum Art has a striking contrast to the dark night background. It is a tribute to the city’s history and beauty with its glowing lamps that once lined the streets of LA.

This is a photo of the moon in Yellowstone through a cluster of trees right after sunset. The lack of direct light touching the ground leaves the trees dark while the indirect sunlight from under the horizon lights up the sky and the moon. The cluster of black leaves frames the moon while also providing an interest against the blue to orange gradient of the sky.

A small Edison lamp in a plant store is shaded by a bookcase while direct sunlight lights up the ground, creating a sharp contrast between the two halves of the photo. The solid blue floor also stands as a contrast to the orange light of the sharp filaments within the lamp.

A photo of me at the mouth of a windy cave with the wind blowing my hair, backlit by the sun. The light gradient goes from black edges to pure white in the center, which is then interrupted by the silhouette, drawing the audience’s eye to the center of the photo.

Summer solstice, the longest period of daylight, ends with an orange, hazy sunset and a quiet ride through traffic, away from the Golden Gate Bridge. The passenger gazes out at the glowing buildings and the street lights, which shine brightly at him as the car drives through south of Market in San Francisco. He reflects on his day in San Francisco, on his way to Chipotle, before boarding Caltrain.

At an elementary school play structure, a high schooler sits on top of the monkey bars she once swung from and watches the sun fade behind the buildings. It’s early spring and the winter chill has started to leave the evenings warmer, but sundown still reflects a cooling light on her, casting a dark shadow.

The interior of a high-rise building is reflected upon the glass of a window looking out at the New York skyline at night. The building’s warm lights and red pipes and the vibrant skyline create a stunning juxtaposition.

As the sun sets in Honolulu, Hawaii, people gather on the pier of a beach, silhouetted against the soft evening sky. The calm waters reflect the fading light, while off in the distance, a small glowing ship shines on the horizon.

Taken within Hawaii’s lava caves during the summer. The harsh lighting of the artificial light creates shadows within the crevices of the cave and a strong distinction between the light and shadows.

Morning light casts long shadows across the Cupertino Civic Center, turning it into shadows and structure where the architecture speaks through silhouettes. The balance of light and dark revealing order in a public space.

Golden shafts of light break through heavy clouds, casting soft rays of warmth over the city below. Light and shadows meet to create a peaceful moment above the bustling environment of the city.

A bridge stretches between cloudy mountain peaks, its shape a dark silhouette against the soft morning light. Light filters through the clouds, casting delicate shadows that turn the bridge into a serene silhouette.

A bronze classic Corvette is shown parked with sunlight casting shadows across its body. The reflections highlight the car’s curves and chrome accents, while the centered composition makes the vehicle the main focus. The play of light and shadow adds contrast and depth to the image.

The photo captures the sun rising through heavy fog, casting a bright glow over the landscape. The silhouettes of trees, power lines, and a house stand out in the hazy light, creating a sense of depth. The contrast between the sharp sun and the soft mist gives the image a calm, mysterious look.

The sky shows its colors when the sun shines its light behind the clouds. In the early morning sunrise, you can capture the soft glow of pink.

This photo was taken at the basketball court in my neighborhood on a cloudy weekday afternoon. I wanted to try and capture the stillness of the net and the scene because I find empty sporting arenas to be really fascinating moments of frozen time. I also wanted to use the bright sun behind it to form a silhouette and evoke a feeling of slight mystery, which I feel like empty neighborhood basketball courts sometimes evoke.

This photo of the Vatican’s Egyptian Obelisk was taken as the sun was setting quickly on a summer evening in Rome. My hope was to have the light shine from behind the cross to appear as if the skies were opening and God was illuminating it. I had to wait for about ten minutes to get the sun to align exactly how I wanted it to, and I had to take the photo very quickly as it had moved slightly out of position only 30 seconds later.

Sunlight pierces the clouds late into a spring afternoon; the fields still wet with rain reflecting the bright yellow light. Taken during a robotics meeting, this rare cloud formation reflects the little silver linings of life, no matter how hard the day was or no matter how bad the storm is sun will always shine through.

Three crows perched on the thin branches of a tree watch, while another is caught mid-flight. The silhouettes stand out sharply against the cloudy sky, giving the image a strong contrast. The simple composition highlights both the stillness of the perched birds and the motion of the one flying.

Sunlight reflects off redwood trees and twigs, blanketing the ground. These golden beams on the serene trail down the mountain guide us down to Lake Chabot at golden hour.

An afternoon stroll down this hill was interrupted by a metaphor captured within an image: The light at the end of the tunnel might lead to hope and prosperity. Perhaps, it was a cryptic prophecy fate left for me