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Celebrating with Ice Cream by Zahraa Al Hassani

Captured in the historic coastal city of Byblos, Lebanon, this photograph celebrates the simple, sensory joy of ice cream. The composition highlights the vibrant colors of strawberry, caramel, and chocolate, artfully presented within the rustic charm of an old trunkβ€”a unique local serving tradition. By focusing on the interplay of textures and the nostalgic presentation, the photographer elevates a casual treat into a compelling visual narrative. The image is award-worthy for its ability to transform a fleeting, delicious moment into a timeless study of color, culture, and culinary delight.

Celebrating with Ice Cream by Zahraa Al Hassani
Nikon D7100 | Exposure 1/60sec @ f/11 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 40mm
Copyright Β© Zahraa Al Hassani
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Zahraa Al Hassani

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Baghdad, Iraq, Zahraa Al Hassani balances a successful career as a senior graphic designer at Zain Telecommunications with a deep-seated passion for photography. A graduate of the University of Technology in Baghdad, she leverages her extensive design background to refine her photographic perspective and visual storytelling. Having transitioned from early experimentation with Sony equipment to the Nikon system, she is dedicated to the pursuit of purist photography. Zahraa resides in Baghdad with her family, where she continuously seeks to expand her creative horizons.

Profile View Full Profile
13.8/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
363/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
16,018 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date January 1, 2015
63.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 11.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Byblos, Lebanon

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Food Photography
Zahraa Al Hassani Photography
Zara Otaifah Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (13.6/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,265/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
16,018/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
3.6/5 points
363/500 Submission
Jury Score: 63.0/80
Resonance Score: 13.6/20
Total Award Score: 76.6/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The frame’s geometry relies on the trunk’s rigid perimeter to contain the chaotic saturation of the scoops. It’s a precarious balance. The verticality of the ice cream cones creates a necessary fulcrum, anchoring the composition against the horizontal grain of the wood. I’m genuinely unsettled by the lack of breathing room at the edges. It’s tight, almost claustrophobic. Still, the spatial tension holds. The structure survives the sweetness. It’s a disciplined, if narrow, success.
Marcus Trent Human Truth, Documentary & The Decisive Moment Expert Review
You’ve captured the sticky, melting reality of a Byblos afternoon. It’s not just food; it’s the messy, fleeting joy of being alive in that heat. I can almost taste the sugar and feel the sun on my neck. Because you chose that rustic trunk, it feels like a secret shared between friends. You didn't just photograph a treat; you caught a memory. There’s something honest happening here. I’d have loved to be there with you.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/60sec at f/11, ISO 200, 40mm. Stopping down to f/11 on a DX sensor like the D7100 invites diffraction, yet here it’s a calculated necessity to keep the trunk’s texture sharp alongside the ice cream. It’s a rigid choice that pays off. I’ve spent years loathing soft edges, but this crispness actually makes me crave the sugar. The depth is handled correctly. It’s a cold, clinical success that somehow manages to feel human.
Lena Brandstrom Macro Photography, Optics & the Science of the Seen Expert Review
At f/11, the diffraction limit begins to soften the micro-contrast, yet the Nikon’s sensor resolves the ice cream’s crystalline structure with startling clarity. The focal plane sits perfectly across the melting textures, capturing the light’s refraction through the syrup. It’s a delicate balance of physics and joy. I’ve spent years studying optics, but seeing the way the light catches those caramel dripsβ€”it’s genuinely moving. You can almost feel the temperature shift against the rustic wood.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Tom Bretherton

The Sticky Residue of Joy

I remember a summer in a small coastal town where the heat was so thick it felt like a physical weight on your shoulders. My grandfather would take me to a weathered stall near the harbor, where the ice cream was served in a way that defied all modern convenience.

Read the reflection →
By Priya Kapoor

The Sticky Hum of Summer

The memory is not in the flavor, but in the frantic, desperate race against the heat. I remember the cold, sharp sting of sugar against my tongue, followed immediately by the frantic stickiness spreading across my knuckles.

Read the reflection →

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