Ukrainian Children by Anastasia Markus

Captured in the heart of Ukraine, this poignant portrait features children framed by the vibrant sunflowers that serve as a national symbol of peace and resilience. The photographer utilized a shallow depth of field to isolate the subjects, emphasizing their joyful expressions against the soft, natural backdrop. This image serves as a powerful visual plea for a world where children are defined by their laughter rather than the hardships of conflict. Its award-worthy quality lies in the emotional resonance of the composition, which transforms a simple moment into a timeless, universal message of hope and the fundamental right to a happy childhood.

Ukrainian Children by Anastasia Markus
Canon EOS 1D X with Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
Exposure 1/500sec @ f/2.8 | ISO 125 | Focal Length 85mm
Copyright Β© Anastasia Markus
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Anastasia Markus

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Donetsk, Ukraine, Anastasia Markus transitioned from a background in business to a dedicated career in photography, specializing in children’s, family, and wedding portraiture. After a decade-long hiatus prompted by the conflict in her home region, she has returned to the craft with a renewed passion for artistic growth and competitive excellence. Now based in Beer Sheva, Israel, Markus views photography as a vital creative outlet and actively participates in international competitions to refine her vision and explore new facets of her storytelling.

Profile View Full Profile
9.0/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
104/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
5,859 views | 9 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date March 31, 2022
70.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 13.0
Clarity 13.0
Composition 18.0
Style 13.0
Skill 13.0
Photograph Location
Kiyv, Ukraine

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Anastasia Markus Photography
Portrait Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (8.8/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
2.6/5 points
520/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
5,859/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.2/5 points
4/100 Review
Submissions
1.0/5 points
104/500 Submission
Jury Score: 70.0/80
Resonance Score: 8.8/20
Total Award Score: 78.8/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Of the thousands of portraits I’ve reviewed, most rely on sentimentality to mask a lack of substance. This one succeeds because the 85mm compression forces the sunflowers into a suffocating, golden wall behind the children. It’s a visual paradoxβ€”the beauty of the national symbol feels heavy, almost claustrophobic. I felt a genuine ache in my chest looking at it. It’s not just a happy moment; it’s a desperate, fragile defiance that will haunt us for decades.
Santiago Reyes Street Photography, The City & the Unrepeatable Instant Expert Review
Sunflowers in Kyiv. It’s a razor-thin margin between a postcard and a gut punch. Markus nailed the timing here. That 85mm f/2.8 blur keeps the focus locked on their eyes, not the chaos behind them. I’ve seen enough war photography to know when a smile is forced, but this? This is real. One tenth of a second later and the light shifts, the joy fades. She caught the exact heartbeat before the world intruded. Brilliant work.
Yusuf Al-Hamdan Landscape, Light as Presence & the Spiritual Dimension Expert Review
The light here isn't just illumination; it’s a quiet prayer. She stood among those sunflowers when the air was still, listening for the exact moment their laughter harmonized with the golden glow. I’ve spent enough hours waiting for the sun to know she didn’t rush them. It’s heartbreakingly beautiful. Looking at their faces, I feel a sudden, sharp ache in my chestβ€”a reminder that even in the deepest shadow, the land still offers us hope.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/500sec at f/2.8, 85mm. The choice of f/2.8 on an 85mm prime is a calculated risk. It’s thin, but it keeps the subjects’ eyes sharp while rendering the sunflowers into a manageable, non-distracting blur. I’ve seen too many portraits ruined by wider apertures that turn faces into mush. Here, the technical discipline holds. It’s a precise execution. Honestly, the clarity of those eyes against the chaos of the background actually stopped me cold. Good work.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
Sunflowers are a clichΓ©, yet here they don’t feel like a prop. One wonders how many hours were spent in that field, waiting for the light to soften just so. It’s a rare thing to see such genuine joy amidst the backdrop of Kyiv. I’ve spent enough time in the cold to recognize when a photographer has truly earned their subjects' trust. It’s a quiet, decent piece of work. They clearly didn't rush this one.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Sven Lindqvist

The Weight of Summer

The earth holds memory in ways we do not always understand. In the north, we wait for the thaw, for the moment when the soil softens and the green things return. We believe that growth is a quiet act of defiance against the frost.

Read the reflection →
By Margaret Holt

The Persistence of Bloom

In the quiet corners of a garden, one learns that growth is rarely a polite affair. It is a stubborn, muscular insistence. We tend to think of the natural world as a backdrop for our own human dramas, a passive stage set that waits for us to arrive.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

9 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 *

The Geometry of SleepWintertime by Silvia Bukovac Gasevic - Nature Photography, Winter Photography, Photo of the Day, Photography Awards, Art PhotographyUkrainian Children by Anastasia Markus - Photojournalism, Ukrainian Children, Photography Awards, Photo of the Day, Anastasia MarkusPhoto of the Month | 2022 | March