The Award Award Showcase The Gallery Publications Gears University Expeditions About Us Career Learning & AI Future Curriculum Curiosity & Consciousness Sign In Submit Your Work →

Freedom by Sharad Patel

Captured from the vantage point of a boat’s upper deck, this image encapsulates a fleeting, mesmerizing moment of light and atmosphere. The photographer, struck by the unfolding scene while cruising with friends, made the deliberate technical choice to frame the horizon with precision. The resulting composition serves as a testament to the beauty found in spontaneous travel experiences. This photograph is award-worthy for its evocative quality and the photographer's ability to transform a casual outing into a compelling visual narrative, demonstrating a keen eye for light and the emotional resonance of a sunset over the New York skyline.

Freedom by Sharad Patel
Canon EOS 30D with Canon EF-S 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 IS
Exposure 1/640sec @ f/6.3 | ISO 400 | Focal Length 42mm
Copyright Β© Sharad Patel
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Sharad Patel

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Sharad Patel is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Graphic Design, who is passionate about photography. After spending his childhood in Mumbai, India, he moved to New York, USA during the summer of 2007. Even though he used to have a keen interest in photography, it was only after his friends introduced him to Flickr, that his interest escalated. He regularly uploads pictures he takes to receive comments from his peers on Flickr. This allows him to fine tune his vision and motivate him to develop his skills. He hopes that one day, when he is a successful graphic designer, he continues to capture the moments which make life special through photography. Camera Gear: Canon 30D Lenses: Nikkor 85mm f/1.4, Nikkor 20 mm f/1.8, Nikor 18-105mm f/3.5-4.5 Current Location: New York, USA Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/sharad2020 Twitter: www.twitter.

Current Location New York, USA
Profile View Full Profile
16.4/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
144/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
23,496 views | 103 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date August 2, 2010
68.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.5
Clarity 12.5
Composition 17.0
Style 13.0
Skill 13.0
Photograph Location
Battery Park, USA

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Sharad Patel Photography
Sunrise & Sunset Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (16.4/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,968/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
23,496/2,500 Page View
Reviews
5.0/5 points
99/100 Review
Submissions
1.4/5 points
144/500 Submission
Jury Score: 68.0/80
Resonance Score: 16.4/20
Total Award Score: 84.4/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most sunset shots from the Staten Island ferry are forgettable tourist clutter. What separates this from the thousands I’ve reviewed is the deliberate, low-slung horizon. By pinning the skyline against that bruised, heavy light, Patel forces us to confront the city’s scale rather than just its silhouette. It’s a rare, quiet exhale in a frantic harbor. I’d hang this in thirty years just to remember how New York felt before the glass towers took over everything.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Sunlight bleeds across the Battery Park skyline, yet it’s the encroaching gloom beneath the boat’s deck that truly anchors the frame. Most see a sunset; I see a desperate struggle against the inevitable erasure of form. It’s haunting how the shadows swallow the horizon, forcing the city into a jagged, silent silhouette. I’ve felt this exact, heavy ache in Tarkovsky’s framesβ€”that realization that light isn't a gift, but a fleeting, fragile resistance against the dark.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
A casual outing with friends, one gathers. It’s a pleasant enough sunset, though one suspects the shutter was clicked between sips of a drink rather than after a week of shivering on a pier. I’ve spent enough miserable hours waiting for the light to turn to know when it’s been gifted rather than seized. It’s pretty, certainly, but it hasn’t cost the photographer a thing. I find that rather a pity, really.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The bruised, violet-tinged ochre of this Battery Park sunset evokes the melancholic stillness of a Morandi study, where light doesn't merely illuminate but dissolves the skyline into a hazy, liquid amber. It’s a chromatic ache that catches in one’s throat; I’ve found myself mesmerized by how the sky’s bruised plum bleeds into the harbor’s murky, slate-grey depths, creating a harmonic tension that feels less like a snapshot and more like a painterly, atmospheric surrender.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Priya Kapoor

Salt on the Tongue

The air near the water always tastes of cold iron and wet stone. It is a sharp, metallic tang that clings to the back of the throat, reminding the lungs of the vast, restless deep.

Read the reflection →
By Sven Lindqvist

The Weight of Distance

We spend our lives looking toward the horizon, convinced that what we seek is just beyond the reach of our hands. We stand on the edge of the water and wait for the light to change, as if the shifting color of the sky could settle the restlessness in our chests.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

103 replies
  1. Professor Danny says:

    Breathtaking…simply there is no other way to describe the meaning of the statue and NYC then this picture

    Reply
  2. Kim Wu says:

    You are fortunate to have such an eye that captures man made work blending in to the majestic natural backdrop!

    Reply
  9. Alice Matthew says:

    This picture is truely and sincerly breath taking. The angle that the picture was taking helps to increase its beauty. I especailly love the fact that the statue itself and its surrounds came out shaded and the sky is ful of light not only does it create a flawless look to the picture but it also helps to create a mood. By bright sky and shaded area and statue creates a sense of hope as this country does for many people when the first arrive here im sure. Compliments to the photographer =) keep up the good work

    Reply
  22. Johnny says:

    WOW great! This is just an outstanding picture….in my life i have not seen a better picture to represent NYC…..AMAZING….keep up the good work

    Reply
  36. Reza Prad says:

    Visited the statue of liberty countless times but never seen a picture like this. Professionally captured and hope you have a good career in Graphic Design and Photography.

    Reply
  45. Allen Walker says:

    Absolutely Mesmerizing.

    The gradient of light going horizontally across the picture, and the saturation gradient from bottom to top produces a magnificent contrast differential. And the placement of the Statue of Liberty, although small, gives it a very prominent presence. The warm dusk colors give it a very outward perspective and gives the feeling of the future to come. Excellent in my book.

    A+

    Reply
  49. SR Khan says:

    It would be my honor and pleasure if I would get chance to meet the genius mind behind this unique and an extra ordinary picture… what an amazing picture he has taken! mind blowing and keep it up bro.

    Reply
  52. aditi ghoshal says:

    yogini ur brother sharad is definitely gonna b a gr88888 dsigner jus loved everything about tis picture

    Reply
  55. Yugg Patel says:

    Wow, amazing shot!! I’ve seen a million shots of the Statue of Liberty, but never in this glory. Your on your way to success if this keeps up. =D

    Reply
  58. Mike says:

    Great Great Great shot Mr. Patel! Great name too, shows how great the meaning of the statue is. This is simply a great piece of art nice work

    Reply
  63. Brij Soni says:

    i also like Photography and i think i need to see you to get the perfection photography like this ………….
    its really good…

    Reply
  72. Yogini says:

    ASTONISHING PICTURE !!!
    LOVE everything about the SHOT..its just PERFECT :)
    Well Done jaadi ;) KEEP IT UP <3

    Reply
  73. Swatang Patel says:

    This picture brings me into the “Empire state of mind”! Amazing job! Your the best photographer I know of. Even better than the guy who commented above me!

    Reply
  75. TJ says:

    I think this pic describes more then a book can about NEW YORK CITY…I would want to meet this photographer…He seems like a PROFESSIONAL GENIUS….

    Reply
  77. kb says:

    Absolutely stunning! Wonderfully named! Not only does it highlight the beauty of NY it’s also an homage to the essence of what is the United States of America.

    Reply
  79. Priyal Patel says:

    WOW!! Exellent! Amazing! Speechless! I have never seen an amazing picture ever! Simply Amazing :) keep up the great work!

    Reply
  80. Akshar says:

    You have created a painting to represent New york through just a single shot! New york and USA in original and true spirit which we should strive for.

    God too painted gorgeous skies for you

    Reply
  81. Hari Mehta says:

    Exellent Shot. I have been living in NY for many years but have yet to see someone capture the true beauty of NYC. Great Job Mr. Patel!

    Reply
  82. pravin patel ( Mayor) says:

    P.B. Sharad patel

    The photograph is very impressive..It brings peace to our mind and heart and is soothing to our vision.
    Keep up the good work keeping Maharaj and Swami in center of all activities. With your hard work and faith in Bhagwan Swaminarayan Pramukh Swami Maharaj will help you achieve your goal.
    pravin mayor na jai swaimanarayan

    Reply
  87. Yash Gupta says:

    This is one of the best pictures i have ever seen! As soon as I saw this picture, my mind was amazed! Keep rocking with more speechless pictures just like this! God bless

    Reply
  91. Y Patel says:

    Great shot!!!!! You are one of the best photographers I know. Submit more and keep up the amazing work!!!

    Reply
  96. Toni Govan says:

    I am from the US and NY and have seen the statue
    a million times. This is one of,the most beautiful!
    Toni Govan

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply to jayesh shinde Cancel reply

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

Somnath ChakrabortyAnthony DellArio - Photojournalism, Art Photography, Photography Awards, Photographer, Light & CompositionCanadian Navy Trainers by Chris Horner - Motion Photography, Aerial Photography, Photojournalism, Photography Awards, Photo of the DayCanadian Navy Trainers by Chris Horner