Spicy Moroccan Soup by Adriaan Pretorius

This evocative food photograph captures the vibrant essence of a traditional Moroccan soup, highlighting the rich, aromatic blend of turmeric, cumin, onion, and fresh chilies. The photographer skillfully frames the dish to emphasize its warmth and inviting texture, making it appear as the perfect comfort for a cold winter evening. By focusing on the interplay of color and steam, the image transcends a simple culinary shot, inviting the viewer to experience the sensory depth of Moroccan cuisine. Its award-worthy quality lies in the balance of composition and lighting, which effectively translates the dish's bold flavors into a compelling visual narrative.

Spicy Moroccan Soup by Adriaan Pretorius
Copyright Β© Adriaan Pretorius
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Adriaan Pretorius

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in South Africa and currently based in Kuwait, Adriaan Pretorius views food photography as a powerful medium for cultural connection and community. His work is deeply influenced by his extensive travels, where he explores diverse culinary landscapes and draws inspiration from the authentic atmosphere of local street markets. Through his lens, he seeks to document the unique flavors and traditions of global food cultures, transforming everyday meals into stories that bring people from all walks of life together.

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9.4/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
140/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
5,365 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date July 5, 2022
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 17.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Kuwait

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Adriaan Pretorius Photography
Food Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (9.2/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
2.7/5 points
540/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
5,365/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.1/5 points
1/100 Review
Submissions
1.4/5 points
140/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 9.2/20
Total Award Score: 73.2/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Steam rises, yet it’s the encroaching gloom that truly feeds the soul. Pretorius captures the soup’s heat, but he’s terrified of the abyss surrounding the bowl. Where the turmeric glows, the darkness should be absolute, a heavy silence pressing against the spice. I’ve stared at these chilies, waiting for the shadows to swallow the frame, but they retreat. It’s a pretty dish, sure, but it lacks the courage to let the light finally die.
Kofi Asante Intimate Portraiture, Reportage & Lives Told Truthfully Expert Review
Steam rising from a bowl doesn’t tell me who cooked it or who’s waiting to eat. It’s technically sharp, sure, but it’s a hollow room. Where’s the person behind the ladle? I’ve spent my life looking for the human pulse in a frame, and here, there’s only spice and heat. It’s a pretty dish, but it leaves me cold. I’m starving for a face, a pair of hands, or a story that’s actually been lived.
Santiago Reyes Street Photography, The City & the Unrepeatable Instant Expert Review
Steam rising from a bowl isn't a street moment, it’s a controlled experiment. I’m looking for the chaos of the souk, not the recipe. Where’s the cook’s sweat? The frantic motion of the crowd outside? It’s technically sharp, sure, but it’s static. I crave the grit of Moriyama, the pulse of the city. This feels too staged, too quiet. One tenth of a second later and the steam dissipates, but the life is already missing.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
It’s a competent bowl of soup, though one wonders if the steam was captured in a single, lucky afternoon. I’ve spent enough hours shivering in the dunes to know that true warmth isn't found in a studio. It’s a clean shot, certainly, but it lacks the grit of a meal earned after a long, arduous trek. I’d trade this polished composition for a bit more evidence that the photographer actually suffered for the shot.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Tom Bretherton

The Alchemy of Steam

I remember a kitchen in Fez where the air was so thick with cumin and coriander it felt like you could lean against it. An old woman named Fatima was stirring a pot that had been bubbling since dawn.

Read the reflection →
By Layla Ibrahim

The Warmth We Carry

To whoever made this, I have been thinking about the way we try to hold onto heat. It is a strange, desperate instinct, isn't it? We gather around small fires, we wrap our hands around ceramic mugs, we seek out the company of people who seem to glow from within.

Read the reflection →

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