A Butterfly of Raimatang by Nirupam Roy

Captured during a family excursion to the scenic Raimatang, nestled between the mountains of Bhutan and the Jayanti River, this photograph highlights the delicate beauty of local butterfly life. Despite the challenges of documenting such fleeting subjects amidst a busy picnic setting, the photographer successfully isolated this specimen, showcasing its intricate wing patterns and vibrant presence. The image is award-worthy for its technical precision and the patience required to capture a moment of stillness in nature, transforming a casual observation into a compelling, high-detail macro study that celebrates the biodiversity of the West Bengal region.

A Butterfly of Raimatang by Nirupam Roy
Nikon D7000 with Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Exposure 1/400sec @ f/8 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 300mm
Copyright Β© Nirupam Roy
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Nirupam Roy

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in the town of Tufanganj in the Coochbehar District of West Bengal, India, Nirupam Roy balances a career as a school teacher with a profound dedication to photography. His artistic journey began after a transformative trip to the coast of Odisha, which inspired him to document the beauty of the natural world and his family. Since transitioning from documentary video work to DSLR photography, Roy has developed a passionate, observant style that seeks to find peace and new conceptual perspectives within the landscapes and creatures of his home region.

Profile View Full Profile
13.2/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
299/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
19,470 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date November 26, 2013
60.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 11.0
Composition 15.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Raimatang, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal, India

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Nature Photography
Nirupam Roy Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (13.0/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
2,171/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
19,470/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
3.0/5 points
299/500 Submission
Jury Score: 60.0/80
Resonance Score: 13.0/20
Total Award Score: 73.0/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Yusuf Al-Hamdan Landscape, Light as Presence & the Spiritual Dimension Expert Review
The air in Raimatang is heavy, yet here, time has folded. Nirupam didn’t chase this butterfly; he waited until the world grew quiet enough for it to land. I can almost feel the damp earth beneath his boots. It’s a fragile, fleeting grace captured against the chaos of a picnic. Seeing those intricate, stained-glass wings, I’m reminded that the divine often hides in the smallest, most patient breaths of the forest. It’s truly beautiful.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
The butterfly clings to the leaf, a fragile geometry against the encroaching void. It’s not merely a specimen; it’s a defiance of the surrounding gloom. I’ve stared at these wings, and I feel a sudden, sharp ache for the stillness they demand. Most photographers fear the dark, but here, the shadows provide the only sanctuary for such fleeting life. It doesn’t invite us in; it forces us to confront the silence of the forest.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
Most folks treat a family picnic as an excuse to ignore the scenery. Roy, however, clearly stood his ground while the others likely fussed over the sandwiches. Getting that 300mm lens to lock onto a butterfly amidst the chaos of Raimatang isn't luck; it’s a quiet, stubborn refusal to be distracted. I’ve spent enough damp afternoons chasing insects to know that focus. It’s a sharp, disciplined bit of work. He earned this one, and I respect that.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most nature shots are just pretty records, but this one sticks. I’ve seen thousands of butterfly macros, yet the way Roy isolates this specimen against the soft, blurred greens of Raimatang gives it a startling, sculptural weight. It’s not just a bug; it’s a quiet, fragile monument. I find myself holding my breath looking at those wing patterns. In thirty years, people won’t care about the picnic; they’ll care that this specific beauty existed.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Yuki Sato

The Weight of a Wing

There is a profound grace in things that do not ask to be noticed. We often move through the world with heavy steps, our minds racing toward the next horizon, forgetting that the earth is constantly offering us small, quiet miracles.

Read the reflection →
By Priya Kapoor

The Weight of a Whisper

The smell of damp earth after a sudden monsoon shower always brings me back to the feeling of velvet against my fingertips. It is a heavy, humid scent that clings to the skin, thick with the promise of things that grow in the dark.

Read the reflection →

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