The Rufous Treepie by Masudur Rahman

Captured within the lush surroundings of the Botanical Garden in Dhaka, this striking portrait of a Rufous Treepie highlights the elegant, long-tailed beauty of this often-overlooked member of the corvid family. The photographer utilized a telephoto lens to isolate the bird against a soft, natural backdrop, emphasizing its intricate plumage and alert posture. By freezing the subject in a moment of quiet observation, the image reveals the sophisticated character of a common species. This photograph is award-worthy for its technical precision, balanced composition, and the photographer’s ability to turn a familiar garden visitor into a compelling subject of wildlife art.

The Rufous Treepie by Masudur Rahman
Nikon D7100 with Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Exposure 1/400sec @ f/5 | ISO 1000 | Focal Length 185mm
Copyright Β© Masudur Rahman
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Masudur Rahman

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1967 and based in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Masudur Rahman Mamoon is a dedicated wildlife photographer and a prominent member of the Chittagong Bird Club. Since transitioning from film portraiture to his true passion for bird photography in 2007, he has traveled extensively across the country to document avian life. His work, which frequently appears in local weekly publications, reflects his belief that photography serves as a vital medium for creative expression and social change.

Profile View Full Profile
11.9/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
168/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
17,769 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date March 26, 2014
66.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Dhaka, Bangladesh

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Masudur Rahman Photography
Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (11.7/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,752/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
17,769/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
1.7/5 points
168/500 Submission
Jury Score: 66.0/80
Resonance Score: 11.7/20
Total Award Score: 77.7/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The diagonal axis of the tail provides the necessary counterweight to the bird’s alert, forward-facing gaze. It’s a rigid geometry that anchors the frame. The negative space behind the subject is sufficiently compressed to prevent the composition from collapsing into mere documentation. I’ve grown weary of avian portraits, yet this structural discipline holds my attention. The placement of the treepie against the bokeh doesn't just isolate; it defines the spatial tension required for a successful capture.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/400sec at f/5, ISO 1000, 185mm. The shutter speed is borderline for a 400mm-equivalent reach, yet the motion blur is absent. That’s a win. ISO 1000 on a D7100 introduces noise, but it’s managed well enough to keep the plumage sharp. I’d have preferred a tighter aperture to sharpen the tail, but the isolation works. It’s a clean execution. Honestly, seeing this level of discipline in a botanical garden is a rare, refreshing relief.
Yusuf Al-Hamdan Landscape, Light as Presence & the Spiritual Dimension Expert Review
The air in the Dhaka Botanical Garden holds a heavy, humid stillness. He stood there, waiting for the treepie to settle, listening to the light filter through the dense canopy. It’s not just a bird; it’s a quiet dialogue between patience and plumage. I’ve felt that same tension, that need to be invisible. When I look at those alert, intelligent eyes, I feel a sudden, sharp ache for the simplicity of just being present.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most wildlife shots are just trophies, but this one lingers. Of the thousands I’ve reviewed, it’s the Rufous Treepie’s gaze that stops me; it’s unnervingly intelligent. By isolating that sharp, inquisitive eye against the soft, painterly bokeh of the Dhaka garden, Rahman avoids the usual clutter of bird photography. I’d hang this in thirty years because it captures a personality, not just a species. It’s a rare, quiet dignity that makes me smile every time I look.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Margaret Holt

The Weight of a Watchful Eye

We often mistake stillness for an absence of activity. We walk through gardens or city squares, our minds tethered to the next errand, assuming that the world around us is merely a backdrop, a static stage upon which our own dramas unfold.

Read the reflection →
By Tom Bretherton

The Quiet Observer

I remember sitting on a rusted bench in a public park in Kolkata, watching a crow pick at a discarded crust of bread. An old man sat down beside me, his hands folded over a bamboo cane. He didn’t look at me, but he pointed his chin toward the bird.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

4 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 Quiet Joy of BeingPhotographing Monk, by Ryszard Wierzbicki - Travel Photography, Award Winning Photography, Photojournalism, Photography Awards, Monk PhotographyBags Booth, by Ryszard Wierzbicki - Color Photography, Photojournalism, Photography Award, Art Photography, Online Photography CoursesThe Weight of Our Belongings