Milad Tower by Hesam Zareei
Captured during a school excursion to Tehran’s iconic Milad Tower, this photograph reflects a keen eye for architectural geometry. Taken in the crisp light of a fall morning, the image was thoughtfully processed into black and white to emphasize the structure's imposing form and clean lines. By carefully adjusting the framing of the original raw capture, the photographer successfully transformed a candid moment into a striking study of contrast and perspective. This work is award-worthy for its ability to elevate a common landmark into a timeless, monochromatic composition that highlights the interplay between light, shadow, and urban scale.
Hesam Zareei
Born in 2001 in Tehran, Iran, Hesam Zareei is an emerging talent who developed his craft at Iran’s Television School. Specializing in mobile photography, he has dedicated himself to refining his technical skills and artistic vision since 2017. Driven by a passion for visual storytelling, Zareei is actively expanding his portfolio with the goal of exhibiting his work in professional galleries and establishing a lasting presence within the international photography community.
Resonance Score Breakdown
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Expert Photography Reviews · 3
The Spine of the Sky
We build our monuments to touch the clouds, as if height could grant us a clearer view of our own smallness. There is a quiet arrogance in stone that reaches for the heavens, a desire to anchor the shifting air to the earth. Yet, the sky remains indifferent to our geometry.
Read the reflection →The Weight of Stone
I keep a small, smooth river stone on my desk, worn down by years of nervous thumbing. It is heavy for its size, a dense anchor that reminds me of a summer spent by a creek that has long since dried up.
Read the reflection →Reviews & Comments
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It’s a school trip snapshot, isn’t it? One suspects the photographer didn’t linger in the cold or return for a second dawn. The geometry is tidy enough, but it lacks the grit of a hard-won frame. I’ve spent enough hours shivering on hillsides to know when a shot was merely found rather than earned. It’s technically competent, yet it feels like a quick grab. I’m left wanting the weight of a real commitment.
Looking at this tower, I’m struck by the absolute stillness of the air. It’s a stark contrast to the fluid, chaotic medium I’m used to. Down deep, light is a thief, stealing reds and oranges until everything turns monochromatic by necessity. Here, the lack of colour is a choice, not a physical constraint. I find myself craving the refraction of water against those sharp, geometric lines. It’s a clean, dry world, and honestly, it’s quite refreshing.
Architecture doesn’t demand the same moral weight as a living subject, but I find myself craving the stillness of a forest floor. Zareei’s shot of Milad Tower is technically sharp, yet it feels cold, like a tourist’s quick grab. I’ve spent weeks in a blind waiting for a single bird to land; that earned patience is absent here. It’s a clean composition, sure, but it lacks the soul that only comes from truly inhabiting a space.