When the Leaves Start to Fall by Zahraa Al Hassani

Captured during a family journey to the northern villages of Lebanon, this photograph highlights the fleeting beauty of autumn. The photographer was drawn to a fence draped in a vibrant, orange-green tapestry of falling foliage, prompting an immediate stop to document the scene. By focusing on the interplay of color and the delicate texture of the leaves, the image captures a quiet, transient moment in nature. Its award-worthy quality lies in the photographer's ability to transform a spontaneous roadside discovery into a composed, evocative study of seasonal transition.

When the Leaves Start to Fall by Zahraa Al Hassani
Nikon D5100 with 55-200mm | Exposure 1/160sec @ f/4.5 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 75mm
Copyright Β© Zahraa Al Hassani
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Zahraa Al Hassani

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Baghdad, Iraq, Zahraa Al Hassani balances a successful career as a senior graphic designer at Zain Telecommunications with a dedicated pursuit of photography. A graduate of the University of Technology in Baghdad, she leverages her extensive design background to refine her photographic perspective and visual storytelling. Her work is driven by a desire to acquire deeper knowledge of purist photography, often using her technical skills to create compelling imagery that enhances her professional design projects while documenting the world around her.

Profile View Full Profile
12.1/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
192/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
14,203 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date May 6, 2014
60.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 15.0
Style 11.0
Skill 10.0
Photograph Location
Lebanon

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Nature Photography
Zahraa Al Hassani Photography
Zara Otaifah Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.1/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,512/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
14,203/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.2/5 points
3/100 Review
Submissions
1.9/5 points
192/500 Submission
Jury Score: 60.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.1/20
Total Award Score: 72.1/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Rafael Ortega Shutter Technique, Motion & the Cinematic Single Frame Expert Review
The frame breathes. It’s a tight, rhythmic cut of autumn, orange bleeding into green against the wire. I feel the sudden screech of the car pulling over; it’s that frantic, beautiful urgency of a director spotting the perfect B-roll. The 75mm focal length compresses the depth, holding the foliage in a static, golden suspension. It’s a quiet sequence, a transition caught mid-breath. I’d have stayed there for hours just watching the light shift.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Autumn’s decay isn’t a celebration; it’s a surrender. Al Hassani’s leaves cling to that wire fence like memories refusing to dissolve. I’m struck by how the shadows here don't merely frame the orange; they consume it, pulling the vibrancy into a cold, existential void. It’s a quiet violence. Heidegger would argue we’re seeing the world’s finitude. I find it unsettling. It doesn’t invite us to look; it forces us to confront what we’ve already lost.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/160sec at f/4.5, 75mm, ISO 100. It’s a shallow choice for a fence line. At 75mm, the depth of field is thin, yet the background remains distracting. I’d have stopped down to f/8 to sharpen the foliage texture. The shutter speed is safe, but the lack of separation between the leaves and the wire is a technical oversight. It’s frustrating. I see the intent, but the optics didn't support the vision. Precision matters more than spontaneity.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Yuki Sato

The Wisdom of Letting Go

There is a quiet intelligence in the way a tree releases its hold. It does not cling to the past, nor does it fear the coming frost. It understands that to make room for the new, one must be willing to let the old drift away, returning to the earth that once nourished it.

Read the reflection →
By Isabelle Park

The Art of Letting Go

I spent this morning clearing out the hallway closet. It is one of those tasks I have been putting off for months, mostly because I hate deciding what to keep and what to toss. I found an old scarf I haven't worn in years and a stack of letters that felt heavy just to hold.

Read the reflection →

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