A Night with Stars by Obayda Jamal

Captured in the stillness of a July night, this photograph depicts a mesmerizing display of star trails over the rugged landscape of the Arava region. The photographer positioned himself near the mountains, carefully framing the vast, celestial expanse to emphasize the rhythmic rotation of the heavens above the earth. By utilizing a long exposure, the image transforms the fleeting movement of stars into a permanent, ethereal arc. This work is award-worthy for its technical precision in night photography and its ability to evoke a sense of profound wonder, successfully freezing a transient cosmic moment to reveal the grandeur of the universe.

A Night with Stars by Obayda Jamal
Nikon D90 with 18-70mm | Exposure 25sec @ f/3.5 | ISO 3200 | Focal Length 18mm
Copyright © Obayda Jamal
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Obayda Jamal

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1990, Obayda Jamal is a Palestinian photographer and physical education student driven by a deep passion for capturing the world's beauty. Largely self-taught through online resources, he dedicates himself to daily practice and exploration, viewing photography as a vital tool for preserving fleeting moments. His work reflects a profound appreciation for the natural world and a dedicated ambition to share the magnificence of creation with a global audience.

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12.5/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
216/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
16,316 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date August 21, 2014
67.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 13.0
Photograph Location
Road to Arava, Big Machtesh, Palestine

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Night Photography
Obayda Jamal 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
1,644/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
16,316/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.3/5 points
5/100 Review
Submissions
2.2/5 points
216/500 Submission
Jury Score: 67.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.5/20
Total Award Score: 79.5/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
The desert floor doesn't demand attention. It waits. Jamal lets the stars carve arcs across the black. It’s a slow, rhythmic breath. I’ve spent minutes staring at the dark expanse between the peaks. It’s heavy. It’s quiet. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty; it’s the weight of the earth holding the sky. I feel small, but it’s a relief. The silence isn't just an absence of noise. It’s a presence.
Lena Brandstrom Macro Photography, Optics & the Science of the Seen Expert Review
At f/3.5, the Nikon’s 18mm glass struggles with coma at the frame edges, yet those trailing stars reveal a beautiful, rhythmic geometry. It’s a fascinating dance of photons hitting the sensor over twenty-five seconds. While the diffraction limit isn't pushed here, the way the light arcs across the Arava landscape feels deeply intimate. I’ve spent years analyzing optics, but seeing the heavens rendered this way still makes my pulse quicken. It’s a raw, honest look at our universe.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
25 seconds at f/3.5, ISO 3200, 18mm. It’s a noisy compromise. The D90 sensor struggles at ISO 3200, and the resulting luminance noise in the shadows is a technical failure I can’t ignore. Wide open at f/3.5, the lens optics soften the stars into bloated, indistinct blobs. I’ve spent too many nights calibrating sensors to find this acceptable. It’s technically sloppy. I wanted to be moved, but the grain just makes me feel tired.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
Twenty-five seconds at f/3.5 on a D90 isn't exactly a walk in the park, particularly in the Arava heat. One suspects Jamal didn't just stumble upon this composition while driving home. It’s a lonely sort of work, sitting in the dark, waiting for the earth to turn. I’ve spent enough nights shivering in similar dust to appreciate the commitment here. It’s a quiet, earned piece of craft. He clearly didn't rush the process.
Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review
We look at these star trails and we aren't just seeing light; we’re seeing the earth’s quiet patience. Obayda Jamal didn’t just point a camera at the sky; he sat in the dark, listening to the silence of the Arava until the heavens began to speak. It’s a portrait of a landscape that’s finally found its voice. I feel a sudden, sharp ache of insignificance here. It’s a photograph that asks to be returned to.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Margaret Holt

The Geometry of Silence

We often speak of the night as an absence, a hollow space where the sun has retreated to leave us in the dark. But if you sit long enough in the quiet, you realize the night is not empty at all; it is merely a different kind of fullness.

Read the reflection →
By Priya Kapoor

The Cold Breath of Space

The air at midnight has a specific texture, like thin silk pulled tight against the skin. It tastes of dry stone and the metallic tang of cooling iron.

Read the reflection →

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