The Beauty of Faytroun by Zahraa Al Hassani

Captured in the serene landscapes of Faytroun, this photograph serves as a testament to the breathtaking natural beauty of Lebanon. The photographer utilized a wide-angle perspective to encapsulate the vastness of the terrain, carefully balancing the exposure to highlight the intricate textures of the environment. This image is award-worthy for its masterful composition and its ability to evoke a profound sense of place, inviting viewers to appreciate the quiet majesty of the region. Through a keen eye for detail and light, the photographer transforms a simple landscape into a compelling visual narrative that celebrates the unique character of the Middle Eastern countryside.

The Beauty of Faytroun by Zahraa Al Hassani
Nikon D7100 with Nikon AF-S DX 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED VR II
Exposure 1/500sec @ f/5 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 25mm
Copyright Β© Zahraa Al Hassani
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Zahraa Al Hassani

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Baghdad, Iraq, Zahraa Hashim Salih Al Hasani balances a successful career as a senior graphic designer at Zain Telecommunications with her deep passion for photography. A graduate of the University of Technology in Baghdad, she integrates her professional design expertise into her photographic practice, resulting in a refined and elegant aesthetic. Her journey from early experimentation with Sony equipment to her current work with Nikon reflects a dedicated pursuit of technical mastery and artistic growth, driven by a desire to learn from the global community of purist photographers.

Profile View Full Profile
14.6/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
352/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
12,834 views | 22 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date March 21, 2015
66.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 13.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Faytroun, Lebanon

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Landscape Photography
Zahraa Al Hassani Photography
Zara Otaifah Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (14.3/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,144/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
12,834/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.8/5 points
16/100 Review
Submissions
3.5/5 points
352/500 Submission
Jury Score: 66.0/80
Resonance Score: 14.3/20
Total Award Score: 80.3/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 6

Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The ochre dust of Faytroun doesn't merely sit upon the earth; it hums with the parched, sun-bleached intensity of a Morandi still life, vibrating against the sky’s pale, thin cerulean. It’s a chromatic ache I’ve felt in my own bones, that sudden, breathless suspension where light turns to liquid gold. One finds the palette so hauntingly honest, a quiet, dusty symphony of limestone and heat that makes me want to weep for the sheer, unadorned truth of it.
Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review
Faytroun isn't just stone and sky; it’s a conversation held in silence. We look at these rugged textures and we feel the weight of a land that’s been listening to its people for centuries. Zahraa didn't just capture a landscape; she sat with the earth until it revealed its character. I find myself holding my breath, feeling the quiet pulse of the mountains. It’s a portrait of a place that knows exactly who it is.
Lena Brandstrom Macro Photography, Optics & the Science of the Seen Expert Review
At f/5, the Nikon’s focal plane renders the Faytroun terrain with a sharpness that defies the sensor’s pixel pitch. The light’s transition across the limestone textures is mathematically precise, avoiding the diffraction limit that often plagues wide-angle landscapes. It’s rare to see such clarity at 25mm. Honestly, I’m moved by how the optics resolve the distant ridges; it’s as if the lens is whispering secrets about the geology that my own eyes simply couldn't catch.
Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
The sky in Faytroun doesn't demand attention. It simply recedes. I’ve spent minutes watching the light settle on the stone. It’s quiet here. The vast, pale expanse above the ridge isn't a void; it’s a breath. I feel my own shoulders drop. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty. It holds the weight of the mountain. Zahraa understands that to see the land, we must first learn to look away.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/500sec at f/5, 25mm. A Nikon D7100 with a 55-200mm lens shouldn't be pushed to 25mm; the glass isn't designed for it. The aperture is too wide for a landscape, leaving the background soft where it needs bite. It’s technically lazy. I’ve spent years looking at these files, and it’s frustrating to see potential wasted by poor gear choices. You’ve got the light, but you’ve missed the focus. It’s a shame.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
Faytroun’s light here is thin, suggesting a photographer who didn't linger long enough for the shadows to deepen. At 25mm, one expects a more deliberate engagement with the foreground, yet it feels a bit hurried. I’ve spent enough mornings shivering in the mountains to know when a shot was snatched rather than earned. It’s a pleasant enough view, but I’m left wondering if she ever returned when the wind actually had some teeth.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Daniel Ferreira

The Architecture of Belonging

Every landscape is a negotiation between the earth and the people who claim it. We often mistake the horizon for a natural boundary, forgetting that the lines drawn across a hillside are rarely accidental.

Read the reflection →
By Priya Kapoor

The Breath of Stone

The air in the high mountains has a metallic edge, a sharp, cold sting that settles at the back of the throat like crushed mint.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

22 replies
    • Zahraa says:

      Thank you for your comment and it’s a very good qouestion Bevon , no it was before sunset time around 6 pm, it’s looks like morning time as the sky is so clear on this hights because there is no factory pollution and its so high from sea level !

      Reply

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