Lookback on February

The Unsplash library welcomed an astounding addition of 96,099 visuals this past month. From snowboarding in-action to starry nightscapes, join us in exploring 20 extraordinary submissions from February.

"I crafted this 3D render with the aim of evoking tranquility and serenity through a distinctive composition of balanced elements intricately intertwined. Drawing inspiration from the impressive artistry of Alexander Calder, I reinterpreted his works in my own unique style." — Marco Castro 🇵🇹

“I don't usually shoot in the studio, I prefer the photo journalism approach, not so studied and directed, so when I met Tanya I wanted to create something different with her, not only the classical studio model portfolio images! Tried different techniques of photo manipulation and color editing in Photoshop ( something I barely use ) to reach something out of my comfort zone and I think the result is pretty neat! Remember people, always stay out of the security bubble!” — Ave Calvar 🇪🇸

"This picture was captured in the evening on Testa Grigia, amidst the mountains around the scenic Staffal valley. With a long telephoto lens, you can slice the horizon into dozens of frames. This scene reveals the East side of Mont Blanc. During editing, I played around with the temperature, creating a warm and somewhat 'bloody' effect.” — Marek Piwnicki 🇵🇱

“A Near-Infrared View of the Pillars of Creation Caption: This NASA Hubble Space Telescope image, taken in near-infrared light, transforms the pillars into eerie, wispy silhouettes, which are seen against a background of myriad stars. Credits: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team” — NASA Hubble Space Telescope 🪐

“I really admire the photography works of Ho Fan, and under his influence, I started exploring street photography. On a sunny afternoon, I took my camera out and sought moments where light and shadow intertwine like poetry, capturing the fleeting instant when pedestrians become part of the composition, and attempting to document the poetic beauty derived from ordinary life. The photo I submitted, taken in Kunming, Yunnan, is a result of this attempt.” — Percy Ding 🇨🇳

“Through this photograph, I explore my fascination with capturing portraits 'behind something' or concealing them. I love providing viewers with the key to deciphering the images, challenging them to search and be captivated by the mystery of each photograph. I've had this image in mind for a while; it's an addition to my 'Blinded by the Lights' series, where I aimed to bring something new and enhance the visual experience. I experimented with structured plexiglass, fairy lights installation, and a single light source, then applied post-processing to achieve the desired result.” — Mihai Teslariu 🇷🇴

"Sometimes easy is better and a little crazy is more real than real." — Nick Andréka 🇧🇪

“Venturing to Turka in Lviv Oblast, I sought to create a mesmerizing image that would encapsulate the beauty of the region's landscape. Armed with my trusty drone, I navigated the winding roads and picturesque terrain. Despite the obstacles posed by the global health crisis, I persisted, driven by the belief that even in times of uncertainty, there is still profound beauty to be found. As my drone soared above the winding road, I framed my shot, capturing a breathtaking vista that showcased the serpentine road cutting through the lush greenery, a testament to both nature's grandeur and human resilience.  The inspiration behind this shot stemmed from my fascination with capturing the intersection of natural landscapes and human elements, showcasing the harmony and contrast between the two.” — Maksym Mazur 🇺🇦

“A snowboarder executing a mid-air jump against a clear blue sky." — Lorin Both 🇨🇭

“Taken shortly after sunset, this image shows star trails over the mountains of Madeira with storm clouds below.” — Colin Watts 🇬🇧

“An aerial perspective captures the gentle collision of waves against the shore, creating natural, lace-like foam patterns on the sand. The varied green hues of the shallow sea transition smoothly to the beige of the beach, offering a calming, textured view ideal for a serene wallpaper.” — Bernd Dittrich 🇩🇪 

“One place to visit in Dubaï is the Sky Views Observatory. This Building is near the Burj Khalifa, so it is very easy to take pictures of it. There aren't so much queue to go to on top, less than 2 or 3 hours for the Burj Khalifa. To take nice pictures at the moment of the Day, you need your tripod, there accepte it. I install mine near the Windows and behind a column to avoid problem with visitors. You need also to have a corolla protection on your Lens to stop reflection on the Windows. I used Natural Nisi filter. For this photo, I took 3 shots to have a panorama, just during water jets.” — Fabien Bellanger 🇫🇷

“I was in Madeira with a group of my best friends. We spontaneously decided to go on another hike. (Like the 10th in a row) Actually just to a lookout point but then we went further and further. It paid off! By sunset we were all exhausted and happy.” — Johannes Kopf 🇦🇹

“Runway Show at Tokyo's National Stadium Parking Lot: Transforming a mundane space into a stage for fashion, this event showcases the innovative spirit of Tokyo, blending sports heritage with contemporary style.” — Taro Ohtani 🇯🇵

“Sun rays of sunrise sun shining between the trunks of spruce forest” — Tomas Hudolin 🇨🇿

“Long exposure of the little jetty at L'Etacq on a grey day, as the tide rises over it, St. Ouen, Jersey, Channel Islands” — Travis Leery 🇯🇪

“it’s the image of a Peace Lily plant basking in soft sunlight. I want the image to reflect the serenity and tranquility of nature as well as to signify the sign of the upcoming spring. I aim to make the image perfect for framing on the wall so that it will bring softness to the interior and household.” — Allison Saeng 🇹🇭

“The possibility of covering many locations on our Vietnam trip was slim. Our curious minds came across fascinating flower-like structures without petals and leaves. Leading us to, an artistic village of incense stick makers using locally popular scents and ingredients. They created hedges of mesmerizing bouquets in vibrant colours and patterns from the sticks.”— Monica Dahiya 🇮🇳

“This picture was taken by coincidence at the beginning of February 2021. We were on our way to the mountains early in the morning when I discovered this scene. So we quickly pulled off the motorway and stopped. I unpacked my camera and took several pictures. What we only learnt later in the afternoon through many more atmospheric pictures on social media and the conventional media: it was Sahara dust that created this inimitable mood.” — Claudio Schwarz 🇨🇭

“Took the picture at the end of 2022 in the city of Dalian, China, where I lived at the time. Sometimes, my wife and I like to go for walks in the rain. While walking on the promenade along the beach that day, I was surprised to see a group of Chinese surfers in the sea because I'd never seen surfers in Dalian before – despite having lived there for several years. Luckily, I packed my camera with a prime lens and was able to capture it. I was standing on the beach when I took the photo one-handed, with the other hand holding an umbrella, covering the camera from rain. One of the surfers said they only go out to surf there during terrible weather because the waves are normally too small.I'm inspired to take rainy-day photos such as this one because it shows that something good can come out of (almost) any situation, no matter how bleak.” — CJ Botha 🇿🇦

See you in a month when we take a look back on March! 👋 (Psst, want to make the next round-up? Include a description with your submission.)