Just Another Dragonfly by Shahnaz Parvin

In the verdant landscapes of rural Bangladesh, the photographer captured the delicate beauty of a dragonfly resting upon a vibrant green leaf. The image highlights the insect's wings as they glisten under the sunlight, transforming a fleeting, everyday encounter into a mesmerizing moment frozen in time. By utilizing a wide aperture to isolate the subject against a soft, blurred background, the photographer emphasizes the intricate textures of the dragonfly. This work is award-worthy for its ability to elevate a common natural subject into a compelling study of light, color, and stillness, showcasing a keen eye for the subtle wonders of the natural world.

Just Another Dragonfly by Shahnaz ParvinJust Another Dragonfly by Shahnaz Parvin
CANON EOS Kiss X4 with 85mm | Exposure 1/400sec @ f/1.8 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 85mm
Copyright Β© Shahnaz Parvin
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Shahnaz Parvin

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Shahnaz Parvin was an acclaimed award-winning photojournalist based in Bangladesh, recognized globally for her profound documentary work. Throughout her career, she consistently ranked among the world's top photographers, dedicating her lens to capturing the essence of her country's culture, people, and landscapes. As a prolific contributor to Light & Composition, she became one of South Asia's most respected voices in photography, celebrated for her commitment to storytelling and her exceptional ability to document the human experience until her untimely passing in 2016.

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12.6/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
240/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
21,709 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date November 27, 2010
65.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Dhaka, Bangladesh

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Shahnaz Parvin Photography
Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.6/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
2,384/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
21,709/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.2/5 points
4/100 Review
Submissions
2.4/5 points
240/500 Submission
Jury Score: 65.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.6/20
Total Award Score: 77.6/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The dragonfly’s wings possess the translucent, brittle shimmer of a Vermeer windowpane, catching light that’s less about biology and more about the verdant, humid breath of a Dhaka afternoon. It’s a symphony of chartreuse and lime that makes my heart ache with its quiet, fleeting precision. One finds the tonal transitions between the insect’s gossamer frame and the blurred, emerald depths so lush they’ve become a liquid, breathing atmosphere, rather than mere background. It’s simply divine.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most macro shots of insects are clinical, but this one breathes. By shooting at f/1.8, Parvin forces the eye to navigate the dragonfly’s gossamer wings rather than just the subject itself. I’ve seen thousands of these, yet the way the light catches those veins makes me feel like I’m seeing a heartbeat. It’s the restraint that wins here; she didn't over-process the green. It’s a quiet, enduring study that’ll still feel honest in thirty years.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
A dragonfly on a leaf is a common enough chore for any lens, yet this one feels different. It’s not just a lucky snap; one senses the photographer spent hours in the humidity, waiting for the wings to catch that precise angle of light. I’ve spent enough damp mornings in the field to recognize the stillness required here. It’s a quiet, earned moment. I find myself genuinely envious of the patience it took to get this right.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
It’s a fragile existence, isn’t it? The dragonfly clings to the leaf, yet the light here is too eager, too forgiving. It lacks the necessary cruelty of true shadow. I’ve spent my life looking for the darkness where an image truly thinks, but this frame is afraid of its own silence. It’s beautiful, sure, but it doesn’t haunt me. It’s merely a bright, fleeting surface, refusing to let the void beneath the green speak.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Priya Kapoor

The Hum of Stilled Air

The air before a summer storm has a specific, metallic thickness. It tastes of ozone and crushed grass, a heavy, electric dampness that clings to the skin like a damp linen sheet.

Read the reflection →
By Margaret Holt

The Weight of a Breath

In the quiet corners of a garden, time behaves differently. We are accustomed to the frantic ticking of clocks, the relentless forward motion of our days, and the heavy demands of productivity. Yet, there are creatures that exist entirely outside this human rhythm.

Read the reflection →

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