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Its Resting Time by Sarin Soman

Captured during a weekend excursion to the serene mangroves of Khor Kalba, UAE, this photograph highlights the tranquil beauty of one of the region's most iconic natural landscapes. The photographer utilized a long exposure of 13 seconds to soften the water and emphasize the stillness of the environment, creating a meditative atmosphere. By focusing on the interplay between the dense mangrove trees and the avian life they shelter, the image captures a moment of quiet reflection. Its award-worthy quality lies in the masterful balance of technical precision and the evocative, peaceful mood of the eastern UAE coastline.

Its Resting Time by Sarin Soman
Canon EOS 7D with Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM
Exposure 13sec @ f/9 | ISO 250 | Focal Length 28mm
Copyright Β© Sarin Soman
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Sarin Soman

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Originally from India, Sarin Soman is a software engineer currently based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He began his photographic journey in 2005, evolving from a casual hobbyist into a dedicated practitioner who meticulously studies composition and technical execution. Driven by a deep passion for the craft, he continuously refines his artistic vision with the ultimate goal of transitioning into a full-time professional photographer.

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12.0/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
165/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
16,886 views | 6 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date January 26, 2011
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 15.0
Style 13.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Kalbba, The United Arab Emirates

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Sarin Soman Photography
Travel Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (11.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
2,160/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
16,886/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.2/5 points
3/100 Review
Submissions
1.7/5 points
165/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 11.9/20
Total Award Score: 75.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The mangroves of Khor Kalba bleed into a bruised, melancholic violet, reminiscent of a Morandi still life where the air itself has thickened into a viscous, humid silence. It’s the grey-green of moss-choked tidal silt that truly haunts me; I’ve felt my pulse slow against that muted, brackish palette. One finds a strange, aching solace in these long-exposure shadows, where the light doesn’t merely fall, it dissolves into the water’s glass-like, obsidian stillness.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Thirteen seconds of exposure turns the Khor Kalba tide into a shroud, yet the mangroves refuse to dissolve. They cling to the frame, jagged silhouettes against a dying light. It’s a haunting stillness; I’ve felt this exact, heavy silence in Tarkovsky’s frames. The darkness here doesn't hide the treesβ€”it defines their struggle to exist. It’s not peaceful, as the curators claim. It’s an act of resistance against the encroaching void. I find it deeply unsettling.
Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The long exposure flattens the water into a sterile plane, yet the mangroves refuse to settle. Their verticality creates a necessary friction against the horizontal blur. It’s a rigid architecture that holds the frame together. I’m genuinely irritated by the avian distraction; it disrupts the structural integrity of the canopy. Without those birds, the composition would achieve a cold, perfect silence. It’s nearly a triumph of geometry, provided one ignores the unnecessary narrative clutter.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Margaret Holt

The Architecture of Stillness

In the archives of the natural world, silence is rarely an absence. It is, instead, a heavy, velvet presenceβ€”a weight that settles over the landscape when the wind decides to hold its breath.

Read the reflection →
By Clara Menezes

The Breath of the Tide

There is a specific kind of silence that only lives where the land meets the salt. It is not an absence of sound, but a gathering of itβ€”the way the roots of trees drink the dark, brackish water, holding the earth together while the tide pulls at the hem of the world.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

6 replies
  3. Gouwerijn says:

    Its resting time

    Tranquil pink sunsets
    Motionless aqua body
    Faraway from society
    Taking diminutive steps
    Return toward creation
    Time it’s inactive

    Reply

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