Hawk of Hevsel by Mehmet Masum

Captured within the UNESCO-recognized Hevsel Gardens in Diyarbakir, Turkey, this striking image of a red hawk highlights the rich biodiversity of an ancient ecological sanctuary. The photographer utilized a wide-angle perspective to frame the raptor against its natural habitat, balancing the technical demands of wildlife photography with a deep respect for the region's cultural heritage. This award-worthy shot is defined by its sharp clarity and the intimate connection between the subject and the historic landscape, showcasing the photographer’s patience and ability to document the elusive wild inhabitants of this significant cultural site.

Hawk of Hevsel by Mehmet Masum
Pentax MX-1 with 24-112mm
Exposure 1/125sec @ f/2.8 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 24mm
Copyright Β© Mehmet Masum
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Mehmet Masum

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Diyarbakir, Turkey, Mehmet Masum Suer is an accomplished documentary photographer and former journalist with a career spanning several decades. His work focuses on the intersection of history, culture, and nature, often highlighting the architectural and ecological treasures of southeastern Turkey. An internationally recognized artist with the AFIAP distinction, Suer has exhibited his photography globally and maintains a prolific presence in both journalistic and artistic spheres, contributing to prestigious publications and international photography organizations.

Profile View Full Profile
12.7/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
234/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
11,484 views | 7 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date August 10, 2017
67.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 13.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Diyarbakir, Turkey

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Mehmet Masum Photography
Mehmet Masum Suer Photography
Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.3/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,107/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
11,484/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
2.3/5 points
234/500 Submission
Jury Score: 67.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.3/20
Total Award Score: 79.3/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 7

Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review
In the Hevsel Gardens, we don’t just see a bird; we meet an ancient resident. Mehmet Masum didn’t just point a lens; he waited until the hawk allowed him into its quiet, wild history. The gaze is piercing, heavy with the weight of centuries. It’s a portrait of a guardian, not a specimen. I find myself holding my breath, feeling like an intruder in a sacred conversation. It’s a photograph that asks to be returned to.
Mei-Ling Chen Pattern, Geometry, Abstract Form & Visual Mathematics Expert Review
The hawk occupies a precise intersection, anchoring the frame’s upper-right quadrant. Its wingspan creates a sharp diagonal vector that cuts against the horizontal grain of the Hevsel landscape. I’m struck by how the 24mm focal length forces a 1:4 ratio between the raptor’s mass and the expansive, textured void below. It’s a beautifully solved spatial equation; the bird isn't just a subject, it’s a geometric pivot point that balances the entire composition’s weight. Simply brilliant.
Nadia Osei Cultural Representation, Authenticity & the Ethics of the Gaze Expert Review
The Hevsel Gardens are ancient, but does this hawk know it’s a prop for UNESCO-sanctioned heritage? Masum frames the raptor against a sprawling, hazy backdrop that feels strangely detached from the bird’s own reality. It’s technically sharp, sure, but I feel a cold distance here. Why prioritize the wide-angle landscape over the creature’s actual presence? Is the bird a resident of this sanctuary, or just a convenient aesthetic ornament for a curated, historical narrative?
Rafael Ortega Shutter Technique, Motion & the Cinematic Single Frame Expert Review
The hawk hangs in the air, a sudden, sharp cut in the Hevsel sky. It’s a freeze-frame of pure predatory intent. I’ve spent hours in the edit suite hunting for a moment this kinetic, but Masum caught it in-camera. The wide lens pulls the ancient gardens into the frame, grounding the bird in history. It’s breathless. I’d have killed for this shot on my last set. The shutter speed didn't just stop time; it defined it.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
A wide-angle lens on a raptor? That’s a gamble that usually ends in a blurry mess of feathers. One suspects Masum didn’t just stumble upon this bird; he likely spent days sweating in the Hevsel heat, waiting for the hawk to accept his presence. I’ve spent enough time in blinds to know that kind of stillness. It’s an earned intimacy. The clarity here is sharp, but the patience required to get that close is sharper.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most wildlife shots are just trophies, but this hawk feels like a sentinel of the Hevsel Gardens. I’ve seen thousands of raptors, yet the wide-angle choice here forces the bird to share the frame with its history rather than isolating it. It’s a risky perspective that pays off. Honestly, it makes me ache for the wildness we’ve lost. Thirty years from now, this won’t just be a bird; it’ll be a record of a vanishing sanctuary.
Lena Brandstrom Macro Photography, Optics & the Science of the Seen Expert Review
At 24mm, the Pentax MX-1’s sensor resolves the hawk’s plumage with startling fidelity. Shooting wide open at f/2.8, the lens avoids the diffraction limit, keeping the raptor’s gaze sharp against the soft, atmospheric bokeh of the Hevsel Gardens. It’s a rare optical equilibrium. I’m genuinely moved by how the light catches those primary feathers; it’s as if the glass has peeled back the veil of distance, revealing a predatory intensity the naked eye would surely miss.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Priya Kapoor

The Sharpness of Breath

The air before a storm has a metallic tang, a dry electricity that prickles the skin of your forearms. I remember standing in a field of tall, sun-bleached grass, the stalks brushing against my shins like stiff, dry hair.

Read the reflection →
By Isabelle Park

Watching from the Edge

I spent this morning trying to fix a loose hinge on my kitchen cabinet. It was a simple task, or so I thought, but I kept getting distracted by the way the wind was shaking the branches outside my window.

Read the reflection →

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