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Canal St. Martin, ParisLight is the single most important element in photography. Without light, both we and our cameras are blind. But light is so much more than a tool to physically record. This simple photograph by Gordon Gahan shows the power of light to ignite even the most mundane scene—a concrete tunnel—and render it beautifully. —Annie GriffithsPhoto Tip: When exposing for beams of light, it is best to underexpose the rest of the scene. It will add drama and will keep a little detail in the light beams themselves.Enjoy more photos and buy the book Simply Beautiful Photographs »

Photograph by Gordon Gahan, National Geographic