Lightness within by Zahraa Al Hassani

In this evocative conceptual piece, the photographer explores the intersection of physical form and spiritual essence. By utilizing two copies of the Holy Quran, she meticulously folded the pages of one to frame the other, allowing light to interact with the delicate textures of the paper. This creative decision serves as a visual metaphor for the enlightenment found within the sacred text. The image is award-worthy for its profound symbolic depth and the technical precision required to balance the interplay of light and shadow, transforming a simple domestic setup into a powerful statement on faith and guidance.

Lightness within by Zahraa Al Hassani
Copyright Β© Zahraa Al Hassani
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Zahraa Al Hassani

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Zahraa Hashim Salih Al Hasani is a Baghdad-based photographer and accomplished graphic designer with over six years of experience at Zain Telecommunications. A graduate of the University of Technology in Baghdad, she bridges the gap between commercial design and fine art photography, often utilizing her visual expertise to enhance corporate aesthetics. Balancing her professional career with family life, she continuously refines her photographic perspective, drawing inspiration from her background in graphic design to capture images that are both structured and deeply meaningful. She remains dedicated to the pursuit of purist photography and ongoing creative growth.

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12.3/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
210/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
12,330 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date February 27, 2016
65.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 17.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Baghdad, Iraq

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Islamic Photography
Spiritual Photography
Zahraa Al Hassani Photography
Zara Otaifah Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.3/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,390/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
12,330/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.2/5 points
3/100 Review
Submissions
2.1/5 points
210/500 Submission
Jury Score: 65.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.3/20
Total Award Score: 77.3/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
f/2.8 at 50mm. A shallow plane of focus, yet it’s exactly what the geometry demands. By isolating the paper’s curvature, the photographer forces the eye into the text. It’s a calculated risk that pays off. I’ve seen enough soft, sentimental shots of religious texts to last a lifetime, but this isn't one of them. The light control is precise. It’s cold, it’s sharp, and honestly, it’s the first time I’ve actually felt something here.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The parchment’s hue, a pale, desiccated cream reminiscent of Morandi’s dust-laden still lifes, captures a light so fragile it’s as if the paper itself exhales. I’m breathless watching how those shadows, soft as bruised velvet, cradle the sacred text in a warm, sepia-toned embrace. It’s a quiet, luminous alchemy where the absence of vibrant pigment creates a profound, meditative silence, revealing a spiritual clarity that’s far more resonant than any riotous, unearned colour could ever be.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
Folding paper is a quiet, tedious business. One suspects Al Hassani spent hours coaxing those pages into position, waiting for the light to catch the edges just so. It’s a domestic sort of endurance, far removed from the biting winds I’m accustomed to, yet I find the precision here rather moving. She didn't just snap a picture; she built a sanctuary. It’s a rare thing to see such stillness earned indoors. Well played.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Tom Bretherton

The Architecture of Silence

I remember sitting in a small, dust-moted library in Fez, watching an old man handle a manuscript as if it were made of pressed air. He didn't read it so much as he let it breathe, turning the pages with a reverence that made the rest of the room feel loud and unnecessary.

Read the reflection →
By Yuki Sato

The Weight of Grace

There is a quiet gravity in the things we hold most dear. Often, we carry our beliefs like heavy stones, forgetting that their true purpose is to lift us, not to anchor us to the earth.

Read the reflection →

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