Starred At by Nirupam Roy

Captured in the marshy backyard of a factory in Tufanganj, this striking wildlife portrait documents a moment of unexpected connection. While documenting the daily activities of the subjects, the photographer found himself suddenly observed by them. Rather than fleeing, the creatures remained still, locking eyes with the lens in a series of curious, varied poses. This image is award-worthy for its intimate proximity and the palpable sense of mutual recognition, transforming a quiet, candid encounter into a compelling narrative of wildlife behavior that bridges the gap between the observer and the observed.

Starred At by Nirupam Roy
Nikon D7000 with Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Exposure 1/40sec @ f/5.6 | ISO 800 | Focal Length 300mm
Copyright Β© Nirupam Roy
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Nirupam Roy

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Hailing from the town of Tufanganj in West Bengal, India, Nirupam Roy balances his professional life as a school teacher with a profound dedication to photography. His creative journey began during a family trip to Odisha, where the desire to document scenic landscapes and personal moments ignited a lasting passion. Since transitioning to DSLR photography, Roy has developed a keen eye for the beauty in everyday life, viewing the medium as a transformative force that brings peace and a fresh perspective to his understanding of nature and humanity.

Profile View Full Profile
12.9/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
247/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
19,432 views | 7 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date September 3, 2013
63.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 16.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Tufanganj, Coochbehar, West Bengal, India

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Nirupam Roy Photography
Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.5/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
2,015/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
19,432/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
2.5/5 points
247/500 Submission
Jury Score: 63.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.5/20
Total Award Score: 75.5/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 7

Lena Brandstrom Macro Photography, Optics & the Science of the Seen Expert Review
At 300mm, the D7000’s sensor resolves the creature’s iris with startling clarity. The focal plane is razor-thin, yet it captures the exact refraction of light within the pupil. I’m genuinely moved by the way the bokeh, a function of the f/5.6 aperture, isolates that gaze from the marshy chaos. It’s not just a portrait; it’s a precise optical intersection where the lens’s resolution finally meets the raw, unblinking intelligence of the wild. It’s hauntingly beautiful.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The ochre of the marsh grass, reminiscent of a muted Morandi still life, anchors this encounter in a humid, suffocating warmth that I find utterly intoxicating. It’s the way the creature’s coat bleeds into the bruised, earthy tones of the Tufanganj soil that captures one’s soul; the light doesn’t merely illuminate, it clings to the fur like damp velvet, creating a chromatic intimacy that makes me ache for the wild, silent stillness of that forgotten backyard.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
One doesn't find such stillness in a factory backyard without a fair amount of damp trousers and mosquito bites. It’s clear Roy didn't just stumble upon these creatures; he sat until he became part of the scenery. I’ve spent enough mornings shivering in tall grass to recognize that look of mutual suspicion. It’s a rare, quiet victory. He didn't just take a picture; he earned an invitation to watch them breathe. That’s worth the price of admission.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
The marshy gloom of Tufanganj doesn't merely frame these creatures; it swallows them. Roy’s lens captures a gaze that pierces through the industrial rot, forcing an uncomfortable communion. I’ve stared into those eyes, and it’s hauntingβ€”the way the darkness clings to their fur, refusing to let them be mere specimens. It’s not a portrait, but a confrontation. When the light fails, the animal soul finally emerges. It’s a heavy, silent truth I can’t escape.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most wildlife shots are just trophies, but this one hits differently. I’ve seen thousands of animals staring down a lens, yet Roy’s capture of these creatures in a Tufanganj marsh feels like a genuine conversation. The 300mm compression flattens the space, forcing us into their uneasy stillness. It’s the raw, unblinking curiosity in their eyes that gets me; I actually felt a shiver of recognition. Thirty years from now, we’ll still be wondering what they saw.
Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
The marsh grass recedes. It’s a blur of muted greens. Then, the eyes. They don’t blink. I’ve felt that gaze before, in the quiet of a temple garden. It’s heavy. The stillness isn’t a lack of movement; it’s a presence. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty. It’s a breath held in the tall weeds. I find myself holding my own breath, too. It’s a rare, sharp silence. I’m grateful for it.
Sophie Delacroix Emotional Narrative, Viewer Response & Psychological Impact Expert Review
Before the eye identifies the creature, a sudden stillness anchors the chest. It’s that held-breath moment where the gaze isn’t just received; it’s returned. I feel a prickle of vulnerability, as if the marshy shadows of Tufanganj are watching me back. When I return to this a year later, the recognition remainsβ€”a quiet, unsettling intimacy. It’s rare to feel so thoroughly seen by something that doesn’t know my name, yet somehow knows I’m there.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Yuki Sato

The Weight of a Gaze

There is a profound vulnerability in being truly seen. We often move through the world as observers, believing we are separate from the life that surrounds us, yet there are rare, quiet moments when the boundary dissolves.

Read the reflection →
By Isabelle Park

The Weight of a Glance

I was walking through the park this morning when a stray cat stopped dead in its tracks. It didn't run. It didn't hiss.

Read the reflection →

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