Colourful Spices by Youandi van Riet

Captured on a kitchen table bathed in the soft, natural glow of a large window, this vibrant study of spices celebrates the intersection of culinary art and visual texture. The photographer meticulously arranged a selection of her most colourful spices, leveraging the bright daylight to accentuate the rich, varied pigments and granular details of the ingredients. This image stands out for its exceptional composition, transforming everyday kitchen staples into a compelling, award-worthy still life that highlights the inherent beauty found in the textures and hues of natural food elements.

Colourful Spices by Youandi van Riet(c) Light & Composiiton University
Copyright Β© Youandi van Riet
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Youandi van Riet

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born and based in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Youandi van Riet is a dedicated food photographer who began her professional journey in 2016. As the owner of an advertising company specializing in the food industry, she combines her professional expertise with a deep-seated passion for culinary aesthetics. Her work is driven by a desire to create evocative, high-quality impressions for her clients, capturing the vibrant essence of food through a lens of artistic precision and creative storytelling.

Profile View Full Profile
11.7/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
144/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
10,995 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date September 17, 2018
68.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 13.0
Skill 13.0
Photograph Location
Rotterdam, the Netherlands

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Food Photography
Youandi van Riet Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (11.7/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,184/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
10,995/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.3/5 points
5/100 Review
Submissions
1.4/5 points
144/500 Submission
Jury Score: 68.0/80
Resonance Score: 11.7/20
Total Award Score: 79.7/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
These spices aren't merely ingredients; they’re a desperate plea against the encroaching void. By bathing the grains in such relentless, flat daylight, the photographer has stripped them of their secrets. It’s too bright, too honest, and frankly, it makes me feel exposed. Where is the mystery? Without the sanctuary of shadow, these pigments are just dust. They’ve forgotten that true depth requires the courage to hide something. It’s beautiful, yes, but it’s a hollow beauty.
Catherine Byrne Photographic History, Canon & the Long View Expert Review
Van Riet’s arrangement echoes the tactile precision of Edward Weston’s pepper studies, yet she trades his stark chiaroscuro for a Dutch window’s diffused, painterly light. The granular pigments evoke a modern Vermeer, grounding the composition in a domestic lineage I’ve studied for decades. It’s rare to see such humble spices elevated with this level of formal rigor. Honestly, the way she captures the sheer weight of those powders makes me want to reach out and touch the frame.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most food photography is ephemeral, destined for a quick scroll and immediate forgetting. Of the thousands I’ve reviewed, this one lingers because of the deliberate, granular chaos. The way the turmeric bleeds into the coarse salt creates a tactile tension that feels almost edible. It’s rare to see such humble ingredients demand this much respect. I’d hang this in my own kitchen; it’s a quiet, vibrant reminder that beauty doesn't require a grand stage.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The ochre of ground turmeric bleeds into the bruised, dusty violet of sumac, creating a chromatic friction that reminds one of Morandi’s muted, melancholic still lifes. It’s a tactile symphony of granular light where the pigments don't merely sit; they pulse. I’m breathless at how the window’s soft, northern illumination elevates these humble powders into a celestial dust, turning a simple kitchen table into a vibrant, sun-drenched altar of pure, unadulterated sensory delight.
Nadia Osei Cultural Representation, Authenticity & the Ethics of the Gaze Expert Review
These mounds of turmeric and paprika look beautiful, but they feel strangely hollow. Why are these spices stripped of their origins, presented as mere aesthetic objects for a Rotterdam kitchen? I find myself craving the hands that harvested them, not just the light hitting their granular surfaces. It’s a polished, sanitized view of global trade. Does the photographer see the labor behind these pigments, or are they just convenient props for a vibrant, comfortable afternoon?
Reflections on this Photograph
By Isabelle Park

The Alchemy of the Kitchen

I spent an hour this morning trying to find the right jar in my pantry. Everything was a mess of half-empty bags and mismatched lids. I ended up spilling a bit of turmeric on the counter, a bright, stubborn yellow that refused to be wiped away.

Read the reflection →
By Yuki Sato

The Earth’s Quiet Offering

There is a deep, grounding wisdom in the things we gather from the soil. Before they reach our tables, these elements exist in a state of patient waiting, holding the warmth of the sun and the memory of the rain within their dust.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

5 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Youandi van RietYouandi van Riet - Food Photography, Advertising Photography, Food Photographer, Olympus Photography, Photographer PortfolioA Rainy Day, by Rahat Azim Chowdhury - Documentary Photography, Photojournalism, Street Photography, Photography Awards, Rahat Azim ChowdhuryThe Watershed of Silence