Another month has gone by, and we had another month's worth of pretty amazing Inspirational Photos of the Day.
Whether you like landscapes, portraits, macro, or something in between, we found some incredible imagery last month that certainly got our creative juices flowing.
Hopefully, you found these images as inspiring as we did!
If you missed any of them, take a moment to see what you missed...
April 1, 2017 - Trevor Anderson
April started off with a bang with this incredible shot by Trevor Anderson...
Between the incredible light of Golden Hour, the foreground interest of the flowers, and the interesting textures and shapes of the rocks and mountain peak, there's a lot to like about this photo.
That reflection in the calm waters of the lake isn't bad either, right?!
April 2, 2017 - Martin Hroch
If there were an award for the most colorful photo of the month, this beauty by Martin Hroch would have certainly come out on top.
Often, architectural photos focus on the lines and forms created by the structures.
And though there's plenty of lines and forms to delight the eye in this shot, I think we can all agree that it's the colors that really grab your attention!
Also note how the blue "trees" elongate the photo - even though it's in landscape format, the tall structures make the image seem like it has more verticality.
April 3, 2017 - Nico Babot
Combining landscapes with portraiture can get you some incredible results, like this stunner of a shot by Nico Babot.
At first, the most breathtaking thing about this image is the waterfall in the background.
However, as you move your eyes around the shot, you notice all the little details that make it truly compelling, from the human figure to the blurry water in the foreground to the incredible textures and details of the canyon walls.
Talk about taking us on a visual journey!
April 4, 2017 - Zachary Martgan
Canada's Banff National Park is certainly one of the most gorgeous locations for landscape photography, and all that beauty is certainly on display in this photo by Zachary Martgan.
The layering in this shot is especially powerful - note how the foreground rocks draw you in, guiding your eye to the lake in the midground, which reflects the colors of the sunset in the background.
Those jagged mountain peaks are a nice addition too, don't you think?
April 5, 2017 - Jessi V. Photography
Our friends at Sew Trendy helped us celebrate the arrival of spring by sharing this sweet photo of a mom and her daughter by Jessi V. Photography.
Notice how the colors of the shot scream spring - lots of greens, pinks, and yellows that give this image tons of colorful depth.
The sunlight in the background of the shot is beautiful as well, warming up the image even though mom and daughter are both in shadow.
The colorful and texture-rich gowns mom and daughter are wearing is the icing on the cake too!
April 6, 2017 - Mark
If ever there was a portrait that showed the power of the wardrobe selection, this one by Mark is certainly it!
The scene is beautiful, to be sure, but it lacks color to provide more interest.
By putting the model in a flowing red dress, the portrait immediately has more impact and drama.
And though the building in the background is certainly interesting, with that dress, all eyes are on the model - right where they should be!
April 7, 2017 - Kurt
If there was a photo this month that looked like the initial shot in Planet Earth, this would be it!
This photo screams Africa, with the bright, golden sun casting the trees in silhouette.
The framing of this shot is on point too - notice how the foreground tree is framed in the middle of the image, but that despite breaking the rule of thirds, the photo still seems balanced.
The tree in the background and the sun framed to the left of center helps achieve that balance. Great work, Kurt!
April 8, 2017 - Tony
Even though much of the scene is obscured in the shot above by Tony, there's still an incredible sense of action in the image.
The emergence of the horse and rider from the dust just goes to show that with a strong subject, you don't need much else in the frame to make a compelling photo.
This is another rule-breaking shot, too: typically, when photographing motion, you want the moving object to have room to move into.
However, Tony proves that rules are meant to be broken!
April 9, 2017 - Datchinamoorthi
One of the great things about nature and wildlife photography is that sometimes you can capture a moment that shows the personality of the animal.
I think you'll agree that Datchinamoorthi did just that in this adorable shot of a baby owl.
The photo has a playful vibe to it, as though the owl is playing hide-and-go-seek with the photographer.
That's because the framing - with the tree on which the owl is perched occupying the left side of the frame - enhances that peek-a-boo type feel.
April 10, 2017 - Fotodenis
As the saying goes, perspective is everything, and this shot by Fotodenis proves that point.
When presented with a typical scene, finding a unique perspective from which to view it can make even the most mundane setting seem much more interesting.
By simply taking a bottom-up view, the photographer gives us a dynamic, high-contrast image of this forest that's much more engaging than a normal view would be.
All those long, thin lines move your eyes skyward, helping to elongate the frame as well. Great work, Denis!
April 11, 2017 - Cirezende
Cirezende sure knows how to create a minimalist portrait with tons of visual impact.
In this case, the subtle texture of the street combined with the interesting shape created by the doorway and its adornments makes for a visually interesting shot.
But the most interesting element in this photo is certainly the shape of the woman, her arm extended with her broom.
Add in a pop of color in her wardrobe, and you've got a masterclass in simple, yet powerful portraits.
April 12, 2017 - Martin Hroch
Martin Hroch makes a second appearance on this list with this stellar panoramic landscape photo.
What makes this image so eye-catching is the way that the light pouring through the clouds illuminates the landscape below.
As if that's not enough drama, the dark, low-hanging clouds add a bit of an ominous tone to the landscape.
Add in the texture of the rocks in the foreground and the wide angle of view, and you've got a winning photo!
April 13, 2017 - Ed
With "Truly Golden," Ed certainly hit the nail on the head with the subject matter and the title.
What makes this shot so great is that it's not the typical postcard photo of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Waiting until night to highlight the glow of the bridge in front of the city lights makes this a more unique photo.
The long shutter speed to blur the water, the lights, and the clouds is a nice touch as well!
April 14, 2017 - Glenn Donharl
Ask any photographer what the most difficult subject to photograph is, and many of them will tell you birds, especially birds in flight.
Yet, in this case, Glenn makes it look easy with this gorgeous shot of a little hummingbird.
Even though the bird's wings are moving too fast for the shutter speed, it's head and beak are in focus, giving us a good view of the texture and colors of the bird's body.
That framing is on point as well!
April 15, 2017 - Xljphotography
When taking photos of the night sky, typically you want to minimize light pollution as much as possible.
But as Xljphotogrpahy demonstrates with this shot, you can still get some spectacular results, even if light pollution is present.
Better still, this image shows how framing is so important. Note how the positioning of the camera is just right to get the top of the lighthouse to reflect in the puddle.
That's how planning and thinking about the shot help you make a more successful photo!
April 16, 2017 - Gary R. Hook
Getting the focus point just right in a macro shot can be tough to do because of the razor-thin depth of field.
However, Gary R. Hook shows us that if you nail the focus, you get a highly pleasing image to view.
In this case, the manner in which the very edge of the rose's petals are in focus shows off the delicate nature of the flower, and the precise work of Gary.
The black and white conversion helps make this a more dramatic photo too!
April 17, 2017 - Krishanu
In many landscape photos, the color tones tend toward blue.
But in this photo by Krishanu, we see how a warmer tone can make the scenery even more dramatic than it is.
Also of note in this shot is the low perspective - it seems like you can just walk into the photo and right into the river, right?
When taking landscape photos, think about elements like this that give the image more vitality and a unique look. It will help your photos stand apart from the rest.
April 18, 2017 - Keith
The interplay between light and shadow in this shot by Keith just goes to show how thinking about how light falls across the scene helps you create a more compelling photo.
Sunset photos at the beach can be a little boring, so by framing the shot with the cliffs, Keith adds elements that make the image more eye-catching.
What's more, the cliff in the midground helps create that interesting light and shadow that gives this shot the added level of interest it needs.
Bravo Keith!
April 19, 2017 - Ella Jeans
Some of the most powerful photos are the ones that are also the simplest.
That concept is on full display in this beautiful black and white photo by Ella Jeans.
The high contrast between the flower and the background certainly catches your attention, but so too do the delicate features of the flower.
The fact that the image is perfectly in focus also helps!
April 20, 2017 - Harold Zeltner
Another sunset photo, another great example of how to make it more interesting!
In this case, Harold Zeltner not only frames the sunset beautifully, but he also adds gorgeous silhouettes that give the shot much more depth.
The action of the waves crashing on the beach adds just enough motion to make the photo a little more dynamic too.
The boats just offshore add additional detail to be appreciated as well, don't you think?
April 21, 2017 - PJ van Schalkwyk
There's a lot of photos from last month that stunned because of the lighting, but this one by PJ van Schalkwyk has to be at the top of the list.
The coolness of tones in the foreground give it a frigid feel. But the bright, golden light in the background warms up the image.
The contrast between the two types of lighting is certainly the most eye-catching aspect of this photo, don't you agree?
April 22, 2017 - Roberto Pavic
Shooting landscapes in vertical format isn't as common as horizontal format, but Roberto Pavic reminds us of the value of a vertical composition with this incredible shot.
When there's foreground interest and background interest, a vertical format photo helps highlight both.
In this case, the rocks in the foreground also create a leading line, directing our eyes to the beautiful village in the background.
This is one great shot, Roberto!
April 23, 2017 - Dave
Much like the previous image, this one highlights how foreground interest is such an integral component of an impactful landscape shot.
Here, the juxtaposition of the soft, flowing clouds and the blurry water with the harsh, texture-filled rocks in the foreground creates a gorgeous dynamic between hard and soft.
What's more, Dave got the horizon perfectly straight - something that's easy enough, but yet so many photographers struggle to get right.
When there's a definite horizon, be sure to check your level. Otherwise, a crooked horizon could ruin an otherwise awesome photo.
April 24, 2017 - Mikeclegg7
When you hear the term "cityscape," I doubt many of you think of something like what you see in the image above by Mikeclegg7.
But a cityscape it is! Just a much more serene and gorgeous one than what most of us typically encounter.
There's a lot at work in this shot to make it compelling, from the clean lines of the architecture to the pops of color from the flowers to the reflection of the scene in the tranquil water.
In other words, it looks like a great spot to just sit and soak it all in!
April 25, 2017 - Paul
When using leading lines in a landscape photo, they don't have to be overt.
In this beautiful image by Paul, notice how the ridgeline in the middle of the shot helps draw your eye from left to right. That, in turn, allows you to inspect the image from the explosion of color in the foreground to the white, barren, snow-covered background.
When framing the shot, look for ways to connect disparate areas in the landscape; it helps create a much more cohesive image.
April 26, 2017 - Lior Yaakobi
This absolutely stunning image by Lior Yaakobi was one of the most popular of the month, and it's easy to see why.
This landscape is full of drama, from the iconic silhouette of The Matterhorn to the gorgeous colors of the sunset to the surface of the water in the foreground that's starting to show signs of freezing.
In other words, this photo has it all - shape, texture, color - you name it!
That symmetry is something else too, right?!
April 27, 2017 - Dave
When framing a landscape shot, consider where you place the horizon.
If, like in the image above by Dave, there's lots of foreground interest, shift the horizon upward to give more room in the photo to highlight the foreground.
However, if the sky or the background is more interesting, shift the horizon downward to give it more real estate in the shot.
Doing so allows you to frame the most interesting elements in the photo, which, in turn, makes for a more impactful photo.
April 28, 2017 - Paul
Something to consider when taking a photo of the night sky is whether or not you'll include star trails.
If you want circular star trails like in the image above by Paul, you'll need to locate the north star. Doing so allows the movement of the earth to create the gorgeous, swirling trails seen above.
But remember - no matter how gorgeous the sky is, be sure to include elements in the foreground to add structure and depth to the shot as well.
April 29, 2017 - Jens Klettenheimer
Golden Hour gets all the glory, but Blue Hour - the time before Golden Hour at sunrise and after Golden Hour at sunset - has a lot to offer as well.
This image by Jens Klettenheimer demonstrates how the cool, blue tones make for an even more serene image.
Add in the smooth water of the pond and the nicely blurry clouds in the background, and you have a recipe for a photo that's not just eye-catching, but relaxing to view as well.
April 30, 2017 - Dinko.Denovski
There's something gritty about this photo that makes it worthy of a huge print on the wall.
Perhaps it's the black sand beach. It might be the decaying remains of the plane crash. It might even be the cool, monotone colors of the shot.
But whatever it is, this photo has tons of visual appeal even though it's so minimalist in nature.
Excellent work, Dinko!
There you have it, folks, another round of photos to get you inspired to grab your gear and take more (and better!) photos.
Though they are varied in subject matter and approach, I think this collection of images gives us all plenty of fodder for trying to improve the photos we take.
Just be sure to add your photos to the PhotographyTalk galleries so our editors can see your work. Plus, you never know when your images might be featured in an article just like this!