Paris by Shirren Lim

Captured on a cold, overcast morning, this photograph documents the ascent of the Towers of Notre-Dame in Paris. After navigating 422 steps, the photographer was rewarded with a sweeping, 360-degree perspective over the historic heart of the city. The image masterfully balances the architectural grandeur of the cathedral with the atmospheric, moody light of a Parisian winter. It is an award-worthy composition that transforms a classic tourist experience into a timeless study of urban scale and historical depth, highlighting the photographer's ability to find beauty in the quiet, grey stillness of a iconic European landmark.

Paris by Shirren Lim
Copyright Β© Shirren Lim
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Shirren Lim

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Penang, Malaysia, in 1970, Shirren Lim is a Jakarta-based photographer who discovered her true passion for the craft in 2009. Her work is celebrated for its intense, earthy aesthetic and a focus on portraiture that seeks to capture the sincere, uncovered expressions of humanity. Deeply inspired by the iconic documentary photography of Steve McCurry, Lim strives to create images that resonate with global significance. Her evocative portfolio has been featured in numerous international web and print publications.

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12.1/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
189/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
11,368 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date February 10, 2017
68.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 13.0
Skill 13.0
Photograph Location
Paris, France

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Shirren Lim Photography
Travel Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (11.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,359/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
11,368/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
1.9/5 points
189/500 Submission
Jury Score: 68.0/80
Resonance Score: 11.9/20
Total Award Score: 79.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Sophie Delacroix Emotional Narrative, Viewer Response & Psychological Impact Expert Review
Before the eye identifies the stone gargoyles, a sudden stillness settles in the chest. It’s the cold, grey weight of a Parisian winter pressing against the lungs. I’ve climbed those 422 steps, and looking at this, my pulse slows to match that heavy, overcast silence. It’s a haunting, vertical vertigo. When I return to it, I don’t see architecture; I feel the ache of the ascent and the quiet, lonely relief of the summit.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
f/8 at 1/250s, ISO 200, 24mm. A sensible choice for the Notre-Dame gargoyles. The depth of field holds the stone texture sharp against the soft, grey Parisian sprawl. It’s technically sound, though the overcast light lacks the contrast I’d prefer for such dense architecture. Still, the exposure is dead on. I’ve climbed those 422 steps myself; the fatigue is real. You’ve captured the stillness of the climb perfectly. It’s a precise, disciplined execution.
Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The stone gargoyles anchor the foreground, establishing a brutal verticality against the city’s grey sprawl. It’s a rigid geometry. The leaden sky compresses the horizon, forcing the eye to navigate the cathedral’s intricate masonry before retreating into the haze. I’ve rarely seen such cold, calculated spatial tension. The frame holds because the architecture demands it. It doesn't rely on sentiment. It’s a precise, structural triumph that finally makes me stop and actually look.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Sven Lindqvist

The Weight of Stone

We build to outlast the breath. We stack stone upon stone, carving gargoyles to watch over streets we will never walk again.

Read the reflection →
By Tom Bretherton

The Weight of Stone

I remember a stone staircase in a small village in the Peloponnese. It was narrow, uneven, and smelled of damp earth and centuries of dust.

Read the reflection →

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