Pelicans Resting by Rabih Madi

Captured during a serene June vacation at Eagle Beach, this photograph highlights a quiet moment of stillness amidst the rhythmic activity of the Caribbean coast. The photographer observed a group of pelicans perched upon their respective poles, having recently finished their energetic dives for fish. By choosing a wide 24mm focal length and a crisp f/8 aperture, the image captures the birds in sharp detail against the expansive backdrop of the sea. This composition is award-worthy for its ability to transform a simple wildlife observation into a balanced, peaceful study of nature, showcasing the photographer's keen eye for timing and environmental harmony.

Pelicans Resting by Rabih Madi
Nikon D3X with Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED
Exposure 1/400sec @ f/8.0 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 24mm
Copyright Β© Rabih Madi
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Rabih Madi

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Laval, Quebec, Rabih Madi is a dedicated travel and photography enthusiast with a diverse portfolio spanning weddings, macro, food, and corporate work. Since acquiring his first DSLR in 2009, he has rapidly advanced his technical proficiency and professional reach, driven by a lifelong ambition to document the beauty of the world. His work is characterized by a versatile approach and a persistent drive to showcase his creative talent through international photography platforms.

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13.3/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
308/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
17,057 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date August 9, 2012
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 13.0
Composition 16.0
Style 11.0
Skill 13.0
Photograph Location
Eagle Beach, Aruba

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Rabih Madi Photography
Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (13.1/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,638/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
17,057/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
3.1/5 points
308/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 13.1/20
Total Award Score: 77.1/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The horizontal alignment of the pilings establishes a rigid grid, anchoring the pelicans against the vast, featureless horizon. It’s a disciplined geometry. The negative space above the birds creates a necessary vacuum, preventing the frame from collapsing into mere wildlife documentation. I’m genuinely unsettled by how the repetition of the poles forces the eye into a rhythmic, almost mechanical scan. It doesn't rely on sentiment. The structural tension holds the composition together with cold, precise efficiency.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most wildlife shots are just snapshots of feathers. What separates this from the thousands of mediocre bird photos I’ve reviewed is the deliberate geometry of those poles. By using a 24mm lens, Madi forces the viewer into the water with them. It’s a quiet, rhythmic stillness that I find deeply grounding. In thirty years, this won’t be a dated travel photo; it’ll be a rare, honest record of a moment where nature simply paused.
Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
Poles rise from the Caribbean. Pelicans occupy their stations. The horizon line doesn't divide; it anchors. I’ve spent minutes watching the water between them. It’s the weight of the air that catches me. A stillness I haven't felt in years. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty. It’s a breath held. Madi understands that to see the birds, one must first respect the space they don't occupy. It’s quiet. Finally.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
It’s a pleasant enough scene, though one suspects the photographer simply wandered down from a sun lounger with a cold drink in hand. The composition is tidy, but the pelicans look like they’re waiting for a bus rather than a tide. I’ve spent enough mornings shivering in salt spray to know the difference between a lucky snap and a hard-won frame. It’s pretty, certainly, but it hasn’t cost the photographer a drop of sweat.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Clara Menezes

The Architecture of Waiting

To wait is to practice a kind of quiet architecture. We often imagine that life happens only in the plunge, in the frantic dive toward the silver flash beneath the surface, but there is a profound geometry to the pause that follows.

Read the reflection →
By Priya Kapoor

The Salt on the Skin

The air near the water has a specific weight, a damp heaviness that clings to the back of your throat like fine, invisible sand.

Read the reflection →

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