Chicken Shawarma by Natalia Zotova

Tasked with capturing a menu for a restaurant in Koh Samui, Thailand, Natalia Zotova faced the challenge of making a chicken shawarma visually appetizing. Over a five-day shoot, she utilized natural light, reflectors, and black panels to meticulously craft the scene. By incorporating vibrant ingredients like tomatoes, zucchini, and fried onions, she transformed a difficult subject into a compelling culinary image. Her decision to experiment with various angles and compositions ultimately resulted in a photograph that elevates a simple wrap into a work of art, demonstrating her keen eye for food styling and technical precision.

Chicken Shawarma by Natalia ZotovaChicken Shawarma by Natalia Zotova
Sony A7R III with Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro
1/50sec @ f/2.8 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 50mm
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Natalia Zotova

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Moscow, Russia, Natalia Zotova is a versatile photographer currently based in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Her professional practice spans a wide array of genres, including lifestyle portraiture, wedding photography, and commercial food and product imagery for international brands. Beyond her commissioned work, she is a dedicated educator who shares her expertise through offline workshops and comprehensive online courses, helping aspiring photographers refine their technical skills and creative vision.

7.2/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
66/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
2,998 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date May 17, 2024
Value 13.0
Clarity 13.0
Composition 18.0
Style 13.0
Skill 13.0
Photograph Location
Koh Samui, Thailand

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (6.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.2/5 points
232/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
2,998/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.7/5 points
66/500 Submission
Jury Score: 70.0/80
Resonance Score: 6.9/20
Total Award Score: 76.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Reflections on this Photograph
By Beatriz Andrade

The Alchemy of the Street Corner

There is a specific kind of magic found in the steam rising from a paper wrap on a Tuesday evening, somewhere between the fading heat of the pavement and the first cool breath of dusk.

Read the reflection →
By Layla Ibrahim

The Alchemy of Hunger

Dear reader, I have been thinking about the way we feed ourselves. It is rarely just about the body, is it? We sit at tables, or on curbs, or standing in the middle of a busy street, and we try to fill a space that goes much deeper than the stomach.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

Share your thoughts about this award-winning photograph. Your reviews contribute to the community engagement score.

5 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *