Garlic by Silvia Bukovac Gasevic
Captured in 2005 as a focused still-life exercise, this study of garlic demonstrates the power of minimalist lighting. Working within the confines of an improvised home studio, the photographer utilized a single 250W studio light paired with a 70cm softbox to sculpt the vegetable's texture and form. The resulting image is a masterclass in controlled lighting, where the interplay of shadow and highlight elevates a humble subject into a compelling visual narrative. Its award-worthy status is earned through the photographer's ability to transform a simple domestic setting into a space of artistic precision and aesthetic clarity.
Yone Liau
A multi-cultural person, Yone was born and raised in Brazil and grew up in a Taiwanese household. Her first contact with photography was when she was 16 in a community photo contest she joined with her father. From there, she was enamoured with photography as a means to record her experiences out in the world. Having lived a rather nomadic life, Yone has visited many countries and continues to record her travels. It was only when she returned to her ancestral homeland did she notice the recurring theme in her images. Food and capturing the culture of local cuisine was the most prevalent recurring theme in her images. Today, she is based in Taipei and works as a food photographer and food stylist. Current Location Taipei, Taiwan Website https://flavourjourney.com/ Instagram https://www.instagram.
Resonance Score Breakdown
Transparency Note: The resonance score (7.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.
Expert Photography Reviews · 3
The Skin of the Earth
My grandmother’s kitchen always smelled of papery husks and damp soil. There was a specific basket on the counter, woven from willow, where the garlic lived.
Read the reflection →The Quiet Weight of Roots
Dear reader, I have been thinking about the things we keep in our kitchens, the small, earthy objects we handle without a second thought.
Read the reflection →Reviews & Comments
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1/640sec at f/4.0, 50mm, ISO 200. The shutter speed is overkill for a static bulb of garlic, but it eliminates any potential for motion blur. At f/4.0, the depth of field is tight enough to isolate the texture without losing the form. It’s technically sound. I’ve spent years looking at softbox falloff, and this gradient is precise. It’s refreshing to see someone actually respect the physics of light instead of just guessing.
It’s refreshing to see the 20D’s early CMOS sensor handled with such restraint. Gasevic avoids the digital harshness typical of 2005, instead channeling the tactile, sculptural weight of Edward Weston’s pepper studies. The softbox fall-off creates a chiaroscuro that feels remarkably painterly, almost like a Dutch still life. I’ve spent decades looking at vegetable studies, yet this humble garlic bulb genuinely made me pause. It’s a quiet, precise dialogue with the history of form that feels entirely earned.
It’s easy to get lost in the technical polish here, but I’m looking for the person behind the lens. You’ve turned a bulb of garlic into something almost sculptural, almost heavy. I’ve spent years in kitchens and markets, and there’s a quiet, earthy dignity in this skin that makes me miss the smell of a real meal. You waited for the light to settle just right. And it feels honest. You really looked at it.