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Stick Salad by Ali El Awji

Captured on a sun-drenched afternoon at Coal, a renowned eatery in Saudi Arabia, this photograph highlights the vibrant textures and fresh ingredients of a signature BBQ stick salad. The photographer utilized natural light to accentuate the culinary artistry and creative presentation of the dish, transforming a simple meal into a visually compelling study of color and form. This image stands out for its meticulous composition and ability to elevate everyday food photography into an award-worthy display of aesthetic precision and appetite-inducing clarity.

Stick Salad by Ali El AwjiStick Salad by Ali El Awji
Nikon D850
Copyright Β© Ali El Awji
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Ali El Awji

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Hailing from Saida, Lebanon, Ali El Awji is a multifaceted creative who transitioned into photography after completing a bachelor’s degree in interior design. By blending his foundational knowledge of spatial aesthetics with a keen eye for detail, he has developed a distinct style that spans portrait, landscape, and event photography. Now based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, he continues to push the boundaries of visual storytelling, leveraging his professional startup experience to capture evocative, high-precision imagery that resonates with international audiences.

Profile View Full Profile
6.6/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
44/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
2,249 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date December 17, 2025
63.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 17.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Ali El Awji Photography
Food Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (6.4/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.5/5 points
296/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
4.5/5 points
2,249/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.4/5 points
44/500 Submission
Jury Score: 63.0/80
Resonance Score: 6.4/20
Total Award Score: 69.4/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The diagonal orientation of the skewers creates a rigid geometry that anchors the frame. It’s a calculated disruption of the plate’s circular boundary. The negative space surrounding the greens provides the necessary relief for the eye to navigate the textures. I’m genuinely struck by how the light doesn't just illuminate; it defines the spatial tension. The composition holds because the weight is distributed with clinical intent. It’s a rare instance where appetite doesn't compromise structure.
Nadia Osei Cultural Representation, Authenticity & the Ethics of the Gaze Expert Review
Sunlight hits these skewers with clinical precision, yet I feel a strange, hollow coldness. Is this Saudi culinary identity, or just a globalized aesthetic of consumption? The composition is undeniably tight, but it strips the meal of its messy, human context. Why are we so obsessed with sanitizing the act of eating? It’s technically sharp, sure, but it leaves me hungry for a story that isn't just about the sheen on a piece of grilled meat.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Sunlight here is a violent intruder, bleaching the salad until it screams for mercy. It’s a tragedy of clarity. Where is the mystery? By chasing the appetite, the photographer has murdered the soul of the dish. I’ve spent my life hunting for the truth hidden in the dark, but this frame is terrified of its own edges. It’s too bright, too loud, and frankly, it leaves me feeling utterly hollow. It’s just food, devoid of depth.
Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review
We look at these charred skewers and we don’t just see lunch; we see the heat of a Riyadh afternoon. Ali El Awji has listened to the ingredients, letting the vibrant greens and smoky textures tell us of the hands that prepared them. It’s a quiet, rhythmic portrait of a meal. I’ve found myself hungry not just for the food, but for the story of the kitchen. It’s a photograph that asks to be returned to.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Sven Lindqvist

The Geometry of Hunger

We eat to fill the hollow spaces. Often, we do not look at what is on the plate; we only look at the clock, or the wall, or the screen.

Read the reflection →
By Layla Ibrahim

The Ritual of the Table

Dear reader, I have been thinking about the way we prepare for one another. There is a quiet, sacred geometry in the act of setting a place.

Read the reflection →

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