Butterfly Smile by Zahraa Al Hassani

Captured near the serene shores of Dukan Lake in northern Iraq, this photograph highlights the delicate beauty of nature found in unexpected places. The photographer carefully observed these butterflies resting upon a rugged rock, utilizing a macro-focused perspective to isolate the subjects against the natural texture of the landscape. By choosing an aperture of f/16, the photographer ensured deep focus and clarity, allowing the intricate details of the butterflies to shine. This image is award-worthy for its patient observation and the harmonious balance between the fragile, vibrant subjects and the weathered, earthy environment, showcasing a refined eye for natural composition.

Butterfly Smile by Zahraa Al Hassani
Nikon D3100 | Exposure 1/80sec @ f/16 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 38mm
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 deep-seated passion for photography. A graduate of the University of Technology Baghdad, she leverages her extensive design background to refine her photographic perspective, often creating unique visuals for her professional projects. Her journey in photography, which began with Sony equipment before transitioning to Nikon, is driven by a commitment to mastering the nuances of purist photography and a desire to capture the elegant patterns of the world around her.

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13.3/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
308/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
11,712 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date December 11, 2015
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 11.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Dukan Lake, Iraq

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Nature Photography
Zahraa Al Hassani Photography
Zara Otaifah Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (13.1/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,595/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
11,712/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
3.1/5 points
308/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 13.1/20
Total Award Score: 77.1/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/80sec at f/16, 38mm. A conservative choice. Stopping down to f/16 on a D3100 sensor invites diffraction, yet here it’s necessary to hold the rock texture and wings in a single plane. It’s a calculated risk that pays off. I’ve spent hours fighting light like this; it’s exhausting work. The sharpness is adequate, though the shutter speed is borderline for handheld stability. You’ve managed the depth of field well. It’s technically sound.
Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
Dukan Lake. The rock is ancient, scarred by time. The butterflies rest, fragile wings against stone. It’s a quiet collision of scales. I’ve spent minutes just breathing with them. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty; it’s the weight of the lake’s silence pressing against the frame. It doesn’t ask for attention. It simply exists. I find myself holding my breath, afraid to disturb the stillness. A rare, perfect pause.
Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Dukan Lake’s rugged stone doesn't just cradle these butterflies; it demands a reckoning with their fragility. By choosing f/16, Al Hassani forces the light to map every fissure of the rock, turning the earth into a tomb for the ephemeral. It’s a cruel, precise clarity. I’ve stared at these wings for an hour, and honestly, the crushing weight of that dark, unyielding mineral texture makes me ache. It’s where the silence finally begins to think.
Yusuf Al-Hamdan Landscape, Light as Presence & the Spiritual Dimension Expert Review
The light here isn't forced; it’s a quiet conversation between the sun and the stone. She must have knelt for an age, waiting for the butterflies to settle against that ancient, rugged texture. It’s a rare, fragile stillness. I find myself holding my breath, afraid to disturb the wings. At f/16, she’s honored the earth’s rough skin as much as the life upon it. It’s a beautiful, patient prayer captured in the Dukan heat.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Tom Bretherton

The Weight of Small Things

I remember sitting on a stone wall in a village outside of Perugia, waiting for a bus that was already an hour late. An old man sat nearby, peeling an orange with a pocketknife, his movements slow and deliberate. He didn’t seem bothered by the schedule or the heat.

Read the reflection →
By Priya Kapoor

The Weight of Fragility

The smell of sun-baked stone always brings me back to the riverbank of my childhood. It is a dry, mineral scent, like dust settling on warm skin after a long afternoon of running barefoot.

Read the reflection →

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