All Things Bright and Beautiful: 22 Spectacular Shots That Truly Shine

Reader's Digest CanadaUpdated: Nov. 25, 2019

You took a shine to Our Canada’s latest Theme Pic Challenge, which was to capture subjects that glimmered, glistened and basked in beautiful sunlight. Check out this luminous collection of original Canadian photography!

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Shining bright in evening light

Photographer @olgirl_43 writes, “This beautiful old farmhouse is definitely ‘shining’ in the setting sun. Big skies, endless open spaces and sunshine galore is to be had here in my little piece of the country. This is my Canada-this is our Canada.” Gorgeous image, beautiful words!

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Coming ’round the mountain

We really home photographer @nhdtech has a sideline designing postcards, because this shot would make a wonderful souvenir from Morant’s Curve in Banff National Park. As this talented shutterbug points out, it truly is “the land of shining mountains!”

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Symphony of fire

Ever wondered what you’d get if you mixed the Aurora Borealis, fire and glow sticks? Photographer @Slackliner17 found out in what looks like quite the night! “Running around in the snow playing with different colours and effects with fire all while the northern lights dance overhead… Magic!”

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In a fog

Foggy conditions make for a gloomy day, but as @dleefinancial illustrates in this shot on the banks of the Fraser River, it can actually amplify the light, creating a surreal, heavenly glow.

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Morning prayer

Photographer @tmischuk captured this serene shot of the early morning sun shining behind a historical church at the Lac la Biche Mission, Alberta.

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Frozen forest

Winter can be cruel, but it can also be beautiful, as @rsweeney proves in this shot of shining ice-coated trees in her Nelson-Miramichi, New Brunswick, backyard.

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Peak performance

The Lizard Range, southeast of Fernie, British Columbia, inspired photographer @KabraConnier.

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Field of dreams

Photographer @linkenlodge writes, “Through the mists, the sun rose, spreading a shimmering glow on the newly awakening day.”

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Gold coast

Photographer Eric Abbott captured this stark contrast between fire and ice at Bonavista, Newfoundland.

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Sunset at Elk Island

When it comes to beauty, photographer @dianag doesn’t descriminate by season. “Winter has its majestic beauty worth exploring,” she writes-and based on her shot of sunset at Elk Island National Park, she’s bang-on.

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Good morning, Kawartha Lakes!

“What a beautiful thing to wake up to,” writes photographer @photogoor, who took this sunrise snap while houseboating on the Kawartha Lakes.

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Before the rain

Photographer @mikeinbc1 submitted this striking shot of the heavens opening over Patricia Bay on Vancouver Island.

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Prairie lights

For a totally different take on the Aurora Borealis, check out this stunner from photographer Megan Simmons. Her shot depicts the dancing ribbons of light shining down on Gull Lake, Saskatchewan.

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Bridge over frozen water

“I captured this shot of my daughter playing on the ice on the frozen Oldman River beneath the High Level bridge,” writes photographer @tricia.hilg. “The perfect Alberta sky was shining like it never has before!”

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Glistening gems

Photographer @mikeinbc1 brings his focus down to micro scale with this mesmering shot of shimmering water droplets after a spring shower.

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On the fence

This is the kind of shot that makes you nostalgic for the farm-even if you didn’t grow up on one. Thanks for sharing, @jbstlouis!

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Enchanting forest

“As the sun was setting over Keiver’s Lake in central Alberta, the sun rays were shining through the trees, giving the woods a dreamy glow,” writes photographer @s_peters54.

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Reflective mood

The shiny chrome finish on the back of this classic car headlight created a fishbowl effect that was artfully captured by @ssplasher, who gets bonus points for somehow managing to avoid being caught in the reflection-bravo!

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Cabin in the woods

Pale winter sunlight dapples this absolutely charming snow-covered cabin, as photographed by Tanya Grealey.

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Delicate crystals

Brr-it was -25C when @isabellapat captured this frost forming on a patio window. “The sun was in perfect position to make it all gitter.”

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Show and shine

Photographer @jstolte found shining inspiration at a classic car show. Thanks for sharing!

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Good night, Kawartha Lakes!

The Kawartha Lakes always provide plenty of fodder for photographers, including @kes62, who shared this incredibly vibrant sunset.

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Originally Published: January 28, 2016

Originally Published on ourcanada.ca