A Touch of Faith by Luis Alberto Poma Criollo

On a quiet winter day, while seated near a church, the photographer observed a man approaching with a worried and thoughtful expression. As the man extended his hand and whispered words of prayer, the photographer captured a poignant moment of human vulnerability and spiritual devotion. The image transcends the simple act of asking for alms, highlighting the quiet resilience of faith amidst the mundane. This photograph is award-worthy for its candid emotional depth and the photographer's ability to remain unobtrusive, allowing the raw, authentic humanity of the subject to take center stage in a beautifully composed frame.

A Touch of Faith by Luis Alberto Poma Criollo A Touch of Faith by Luis Alberto Poma Criollo
Honor magic 5
Copyright Β© Luis Alberto Poma Criollo
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Luis Alberto Poma Criollo

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Lima, Luis Alberto Poma Criollo is a dedicated photographer who documents the multifaceted essence of Peru. His work traverses the country's diverse geography, from the majestic Andes to the lush Amazon, while deeply engaging with the vibrant traditions of Peruvian culture. By weaving together the beauty of natural landscapes and the energy of local festivities, he creates compelling visual narratives that celebrate the inseparable connection between the land and its people.

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7.6/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
54/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
4,311 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date October 30, 2023
68.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 13.0
Clarity 13.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Lima, Peru

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Luis Alberto Poma Criollo Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (7.3/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.8/5 points
354/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
4,311/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.5/5 points
54/500 Submission
Jury Score: 68.0/80
Resonance Score: 7.6/20
Total Award Score: 75.6/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The muted, dusty ochre of the Barranco walls bleeds into the grey-blue of a winter Lima sky, creating a palette that feels like a Morandi still life brought to the street. It’s a somber, bruised harmony that makes my chest ache with the weight of the man’s solitude. One finds here a quiet, chromatic resignation, where the light doesn’t illuminate so much as it gently bruises the air, holding that fragile, desperate prayer in suspension.
Deepa Krishnan Underwater Photography, Marine Environments & Subsurface Optics Expert Review
It’s a stark departure from the fluid, light-starved depths I usually inhabit. Here, the air is dry, and the light doesn't suffer the brutal absorption that steals my reds and yellows at ten metres. I’m struck by the subject’s raw, terrestrial vulnerability. Without the refractive index of water distorting the frame, the man’s expression remains piercingly clear. It’s a quiet, human stillness that feels almost alien to me, yet I find it deeply, unexpectedly moving.
Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review
We look at this man’s hand, reaching out not just for coins, but for a connection to the divine. Luis Alberto Poma Criollo didn't just snap a shutter; he waited until the prayer became visible. It’s a quiet, heavy moment that makes my own chest ache with the weight of his vulnerability. We aren't just watching a stranger in Barranco; we’re invited into his private conversation with God. It’s a photograph that asks to be returned to.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Most street photography is noise, but this frame holds a rare, quiet gravity. Of the thousands I’ve reviewed, few capture the specific tension between desperation and dignity so cleanly. The man’s hand, reaching toward the unseen, anchors the composition against the church’s cold stone. It’s a haunting, fragile moment. I’ll admit, it made me stop and breathe for a second. In thirty years, this won’t just be a record of Lima; it’ll be a mirror of our humanity.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
Honor Magic 5. The sensor’s limitations are glaring here. It’s a digital smear masquerading as texture. The processing engine has aggressively flattened the man’s skin tones to compensate for the lack of true optical depth. I’ve seen better dynamic range from a security camera. It’s frustrating. The composition is competent, but the technical execution is a failure of hardware. You can’t capture the weight of faith when your camera treats human faces like low-bitrate noise.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Daniel Ferreira

The Architecture of Need

The city is often read as a collection of monuments, transit lines, and glass facades, but its true character is found in the thresholds where the public sphere meets private desperation.

Read the reflection →
By Gabriel Ndidi

The Weight of a Whisper

When I was seven, my grandmother kept a small, smooth stone in her apron pocket. She told me it was for the moments when the world felt too heavy to carry alone. She didn't pray in the way the adults on television did, with loud voices and grand gestures.

Read the reflection →

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