Taking My Photo by Nirupam Roy

While visiting the Rasik Bill wetlands for bird photography, the photographer encountered brilliant sunshine that drew numerous garden lizards from their hiding spots. Abandoning the original plan to capture migratory birds, the photographer shifted focus to these reptiles, captivated by their presence. The resulting image captures a lizard in a striking, composed pose, highlighting the creature's intricate textures against the natural environment. This photograph is award-worthy for its spontaneous transition from a planned wildlife session to a masterful macro study, demonstrating the photographer's ability to adapt to the environment and find beauty in unexpected subjects.

Taking My Photo by Nirupam Roy
Nikon D7000 with Nikon AF-S DX 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Exposure 1/100sec @ f/5.6 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 300mm
Copyright Β© Nirupam Roy
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Nirupam Roy

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Nirupam Roy is a school teacher based in the small town of Tufanganj, West Bengal, India. His journey into photography began as a quest to document family travels and the scenic beauty of the Indian coastline, eventually evolving into a profound creative obsession. Through his lens, Roy explores the intersection of nature and human experience, finding a sense of peace and artistic fulfillment that transcends his professional life. His work reflects a constant pursuit of new concepts and a deep, transformative appreciation for the natural world.

Profile View Full Profile
14.4/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
403/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
16,308 views | 7 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date September 21, 2013
60.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 11.0
Composition 15.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Rasik Bill, 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 (14.1/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,326/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
16,308/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.1/5 points
1/100 Review
Submissions
4.0/5 points
403/500 Submission
Jury Score: 60.0/80
Resonance Score: 14.1/20
Total Award Score: 74.1/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 6

James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
300mm at f/5.6, 1/100sec, ISO 100. At 300mm, 1/100sec is a gamble with a handheld Nikon D7000. You’ve flirted with motion blur, yet the sensor held firm. The aperture choice is lazy; f/5.6 on a 55-300mm lens doesn't isolate the lizard enough from that cluttered background. It’s technically shaky, but I’ll admit, the sharpness on the scales is surprisingly crisp. You got lucky with the shutter speed. Don't rely on luck next time.
Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The lizard’s diagonal spine bisects the frame, establishing a rigid geometric axis. It’s a calculated geometry. The blurred foliage provides a necessary, muted counterweight to the creature’s sharp, granular scales. The eye is forced along the tail’s length, trapped by the depth of field. I’ve rarely seen such clinical precision in a spontaneous encounter. The composition doesn't just hold; it commands the space. It’s a rare instance where the structure justifies the subject’s intrusion.
Sophie Delacroix Emotional Narrative, Viewer Response & Psychological Impact Expert Review
Before the eye identifies the lizard, a sudden stillness settles in the chest. The creature’s rigid, prehistoric posture triggers a primal alertness, a held-breath moment where the world narrows to those intricate, pebbled scales. It’s unsettling, reallyβ€”that unblinking gaze feels like it’s cataloging my own history. When I return to this frame a year later, the silence of the Rasik Bill wetlands still clings to my skin, reminding me how quickly our focus shifts.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The lizard’s skin, a verdant mosaic of moss and lichen, vibrates against the parched, ochre earth like a Morandi still life caught in the humid breath of West Bengal. It’s a chromatic collision that makes my heart stutter; the creature’s emerald intensity, set against that dusty, sun-bleached ground, creates a tension so visceral one forgets the lens. It’s not merely wildlife, but a symphony of heat and pigment, shimmering with the quiet, ancient grace of a Vermeer.
Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
The lizard holds the frame. It’s a study in stillness. The background recedes, a blur of green and light. I’ve spent minutes just breathing with it. The creature doesn’t demand attention; it simply exists. It’s enough. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty. It’s a pause. A quiet breath in the heat of Rasik Bill. I feel a sudden, sharp peace looking at it. The world falls away. Just this.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most wildlife shots are just trophies, but this lizard’s gaze feels like a confrontation. I’ve seen thousands of macro studies, yet few capture that specific, prehistoric stillness. The way the light catches the scales against the blurred foliage creates a depth that’s rare for a 300mm lens. It’s haunting. I’d hang this in my own home because it doesn't just document a creature; it forces you to acknowledge a life that doesn't care about your camera.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Margaret Holt

The Art of the Pivot

We often construct our days like rigid architecture, drafting blueprints for where we will stand and what we will witness before the sun sets.

Read the reflection →
By Priya Kapoor

The Roughness of Stillness

There is a specific, dry heat that lives in the bark of an old tree. It is a smell of sun-baked sap and ancient, crumbling wood, a scent that clings to your fingertips long after you have pulled your hand away.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

7 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The Weight of StillnessEnvious? by Jana Z - Street Photography, Photography Award, Photo of the Day, Jana Z, Award Winning PhotographyA Wandering Door, by Karan Zadoo - Still Life Photography, Award Winning Photography, Photo of the Day, Photography Awards, Art PhotographyThe Threshold of Silence