Reading Quran by Obayda Jamal

Captured during the holy month of Ramadan in 2013, this photograph documents a profound moment of spiritual devotion. The photographer sought to encapsulate the serene atmosphere as individuals gathered to recite the Quran, highlighting the communal acts of kindness and prayer that define the season. By focusing on the quiet intensity of the subject, the image serves as a testament to the beauty of faith and the power of stillness. Its ability to convey such deep cultural and religious significance through a simple, authentic composition makes it a compelling and award-worthy piece of Islamic photography.

Reading Quran by Obayda Jamal
Nikon D90 with Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G
Exposure 1/60sec @ f/3.5 | ISO 500 | Focal Length 50mm
Copyright Β© Obayda Jamal
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Obayda Jamal

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Palestine in 1990, Obayda Jamal is an emerging photographer and physical education student driven by a deep passion for visual storytelling. Largely self-taught through online resources, he dedicates his daily life to refining his craft and exploring the world through his lens. Jamal views photography as a powerful medium for freezing fleeting moments, aiming to share the grandeur of creation with a global audience while aspiring to establish himself as a prominent figure in the international photography community.

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11.9/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
156/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
17,382 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date August 14, 2014
63.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 16.0
Style 11.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Baqqa Al-gharbiya, Palestine

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Islamic Photography
Obayda Jamal Photography
Spiritual Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (11.6/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,320/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
17,382/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
1.6/5 points
156/500 Submission
Jury Score: 63.0/80
Resonance Score: 11.6/20
Total Award Score: 74.6/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The frame’s geometry hinges on the vertical alignment of the Quran, anchoring the subject’s posture against the soft, diffused light. It’s a disciplined study in spatial tension. The negative space surrounding the figure doesn't collapse; it breathes. I’ve rarely seen such precise tonal control in a D90 capture. The composition holds its weight without resorting to sentimentality. It’s a rare instance where the architecture of the frame finally earns the stillness it demands.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/60sec at f/3.5, ISO 500 on a 50mm lens. It’s a standard, safe configuration for low-light interiors. The depth of field is thin enough to isolate the subject, yet the shutter speed is dangerously close to inducing motion blur. I’ve seen this setup fail a thousand times, but here, the stillness holds. It’s technically competent, though I’d have preferred a tighter aperture to sharpen the text. It’s a clean, disciplined execution of a quiet moment.
Yusuf Al-Hamdan Landscape, Light as Presence & the Spiritual Dimension Expert Review
The light here doesn't demand attention; it settles, soft and amber, against the pages. Obayda stood in the cooling hour, waiting for the room’s rhythm to align with the reader’s breath. It’s a quiet, holy stillness I’ve chased across many landscapes myself. Looking at the way the shadows cradle the Quran, I feel a sudden, sharp ache for that same peace. He didn’t rush the moment. He simply let the light reveal the devotion.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The golden, honeyed light filtering through the space recalls the hushed, dusty interiors of a Vermeer, where the amber glow doesn't merely illuminate but sanctifies the page. It’s a chromatic prayer, really; the way that soft, ochre warmth clings to the reader’s hands makes my own heart ache with a sudden, quiet longing. One finds here a rare, resonant harmony, where the shadows aren't absences, but deep, velvet pools of meditative, indigo silence.
Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
The light falls across the page. It’s soft. The surrounding shadow isn’t just darkness; it’s a vessel for the breath held between verses. I’ve spent minutes watching the way the subject’s hands rest. They don’t reach. They wait. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty. It’s a quiet room. I feel a sudden, sharp ache for that stillness. It’s rare to find a frame that knows when to stop.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Isabelle Park

The Quiet Between Words

I was sitting on my porch this morning, trying to read a book I’ve had on my nightstand for months. The neighborhood was waking upβ€”a lawnmower started down the street, and a dog began barking at a passing car. It was noisy, and for a while, I couldn't focus on a single sentence.

Read the reflection →
By Margaret Holt

The Architecture of Silence

In the quiet hours of a house, there is a particular weight to the air, as if the walls themselves are holding their breath. We often mistake silence for an absence, a void to be filled with the clutter of our own voices or the frantic pace of the day.

Read the reflection →

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