Crows Again by Ilyas Yilmaz

Captured during a summer holiday in Side, Antalya, this photograph documents an intimate moment between two crows. The photographer, struck by the birds' proximity and behavior, found in this encounter a poignant symbol of innocence and affection. By utilizing a 50mm lens at a high shutter speed, the image freezes the interaction with clarity, highlighting the raw, natural connection between the subjects. The photograph is award-worthy for its ability to transform a fleeting, everyday observation into a compelling narrative on the universality of love found within the animal kingdom.

Crows Again by Ilyas YilmazCrows Again by Ilyas Yilmaz
Canon EOS 250D with Youngnuo 50mm
Exposure 1/800sec @ f/6.3 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 50mm
Copyright Β© Ilyas Yilmaz
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Ilyas Yilmaz

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Ilyas Yilmaz is a dedicated educator and photographer based in Gaziantep, Turkey. Balancing his professional life as a teacher with a deep passion for the visual arts, he utilizes a versatile kit including the Canon 250D to document the world around him. His work is defined by a commitment to storytelling, as he consistently seeks to capture evocative moments that resonate with emotional depth and artistic sincerity.

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8.1/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
93/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
3,945 views | 6 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date July 25, 2023
62.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 16.0
Style 11.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Side, Turkey

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Ilyas Yilmaz Photography
Minimalistic Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (7.8/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.9/5 points
372/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
3,945/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.9/5 points
93/500 Submission
Jury Score: 62.0/80
Resonance Score: 7.8/20
Total Award Score: 69.8/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 6

Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The charcoal plumage of these crows, set against the parched, sun-bleached ochre of the Side earth, evokes a Morandi-esque stillness that I find deeply moving. It’s the way the light catches those iridescent, oil-slick feathersβ€”a bruised violet shimmering amidst the heatβ€”that truly captures my heart. One doesn’t merely see these birds; one feels the heavy, dusty air of the Turkish summer pressing against them, turning a fleeting encounter into a haunting, chromatic meditation.
Lena Brandstrom Macro Photography, Optics & the Science of the Seen Expert Review
At f/6.3, the Youngnuo’s focal plane renders the crows’ plumage with a crispness that defies the limitations of the human retina. I’m genuinely moved by the micro-contrast here; it’s sharp enough to reveal the structural iridescence of their feathers, a detail usually lost to the eye. The diffraction limit hasn't softened the edges, keeping the interaction intimate. It’s a rare, precise capture where the optics don't just record the subjectsβ€”they elevate their quiet, avian affection.
Catherine Byrne Photographic History, Canon & the Long View Expert Review
The stark, high-contrast geometry here echoes the brutalist simplicity of Bill Brandt’s early work, yet it lacks his psychological tension. While the 50mm framing captures the crows’ intimacy, it feels derivative of mid-century nature studies. I’ve seen this avian motif a thousand times, but the way the light catches their feathers at f/6.3 actually made me pause. It’s a quiet, honest moment, even if it doesn't quite push the medium into new, uncharted territory.
Sophie Delacroix Emotional Narrative, Viewer Response & Psychological Impact Expert Review
Before the eye identifies the crows, a sudden stillness settles in the chest. It’s the weight of their proximity, that sharp, ink-black intimacy against the bleached light of Side. I find my own breath hitching, mirroring the tension of their beaks. It’s not just a bird study; it’s a quiet ache of recognition. When I return to this frame a year from now, I suspect I’ll still feel that strange, hollow pull of shared, unspoken devotion.
Victoria Ashby Wildlife, Nature & the Ethics of the Unseen Moment Expert Review
Crows are notoriously wary, yet here they’re huddled in a way that suggests either a lucky break or a baited setup. Using a 50mm lens in a tourist hub like Side implies the photographer was right on top of them. I’ve spent weeks in blinds to capture such intimacy; it’s hard to believe this wasn't forced. It’s a pretty frame, but I can’t help but feel a bit cynical about how it was actually obtained.
Yusuf Al-Hamdan Landscape, Light as Presence & the Spiritual Dimension Expert Review
The heat in Side is heavy, yet here, the light feels suspended. Ilyas caught these two crows in a quiet, silvered moment, far from the tourist rush. I’ve spent enough dawns waiting for birds to settle to know he held his breath, becoming part of the landscape itself. It’s a tender, fleeting intimacy. Looking at them, I feel a sudden, sharp ache for the simplicity of their connection. It’s a beautiful, patient stillness he’s found.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Kenji Watanabe

The Language of Wings

A conversation happens without sound. Two bodies lean into the void, closing the distance that language usually fails to bridge. It is not a matter of what is said, but of the space occupied between two breaths.

Read the reflection →
By Margaret Holt

The Language of Shadows

There is a persistent myth that language requires words, that we must articulate our intentions to be understood. Yet, if you sit long enough in a garden or on a quiet stone wall, you begin to notice the conversations that happen in the margins.

Read the reflection →

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