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Autumn Colors of Grand Canyon by Sergiy Kadulin

Captured during a helicopter flight over the Grand Canyon in October 2012, this image showcases the canyon's eastern edge at the onset of autumn. The photographer faced the significant challenge of tracking the rapidly shifting landscape from a moving aircraft, requiring precise timing to isolate the vibrant yellow foliage against the rugged terrain. By balancing the helicopter's speed with the changing light and angles, the photographer successfully framed a striking composition that highlights nature's seasonal transformation. The resulting image is award-worthy for its technical execution under difficult aerial conditions and its evocative portrayal of the canyon's vast, colorful scale.

Autumn Colors of Grand Canyon by Sergiy Kadulin
Canon EOS 5D Mark II with EF 24-70 f/2.8L
Exposure 1/250sec @ f/10 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 70mm
Copyright Β© Sergiy Kadulin
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Sergiy Kadulin

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 1967, Sergiy Kadulin balances a distinguished career in information technology with a profound devotion to photography. His artistic journey began with his grandfather’s vintage camera and evolved through formal training at the Kyiv School of Photography and the New York Institute of Photography. Specializing in travel and landscape imagery, Kadulin views his work as a medium to share his deep appreciation for the natural world and human connection, consistently striving for personal and creative growth through his lens.

Profile View Full Profile
12.9/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
273/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
18,700 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date May 7, 2013
65.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 16.0
Style 13.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, The United States

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Landscape Photography
Sergiy Kadulin Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.7/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,404/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
18,700/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
2.7/5 points
273/500 Submission
Jury Score: 65.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.7/20
Total Award Score: 77.7/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
The canyon’s depths aren't just geological; they’re a void where light goes to die. Kadulin captures the yellow foliage, yet it’s the encroaching obsidian fissures that haunt me. I’ve stared into these shadows until my eyes ached, feeling the crushing indifference of time itself. It’s a violent, beautiful struggle. He doesn't just photograph the landscape; he forces us to confront the darkness that inevitably swallows every vibrant, fleeting season. It’s terrifying, and I can’t look away.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Aerial shots of the Grand Canyon usually collapse into flat, repetitive textures. I’ve seen thousands of them, and most are forgettable. What separates this from the pack is the deliberate isolation of those golden pockets of autumn foliage against the harsh, shadowed rock. It’s a rare, fragile contrast. I felt a genuine shiver looking at the scale here; it’s a reminder that beauty survives even in the most unforgiving, ancient places. It’ll endure because it breathes.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/250sec at f/10, 70mm. From a helicopter, that shutter speed is a gamble I’d never take. It’s tight, but the vibration reduction held. Stopping down to f/10 was the right call to ensure the canyon floor didn't turn into a soft, muddy mess. I’m genuinely impressed the sensor didn't smear the foliage. It’s a clean, sharp capture. Kadulin didn't just point and shoot; he calculated the physics of the flight and won.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Clara Menezes

The Earth’s Slow Breath

We often speak of time as a line, a thin thread pulling us toward a horizon we can never quite touch. But look at the deep, jagged scars of the earth, and you see that time is actually a sedimentβ€”a slow, patient accumulation of breaths.

Read the reflection →
By Isabelle Park

The Weight of Small Things

I spent twenty minutes this morning trying to find a matching pair of socks. It sounds ridiculous, but the frustration was real. I was rushing, pulling things out of drawers, and feeling like the day was already slipping through my fingers before it had even started.

Read the reflection →

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