Canal St. Martin, Paris

Canal St. Martin, Paris

Photograph by Gordon Gahan, National Geographic

Light 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 Griffiths

Photo 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.