Sunset in Paradise by Kristel Sturrus

As the heat of a Sint Maarten day fades, the boardwalk in Philipsburg offers a serene vantage point to witness the sun dipping behind the horizon near the Divi resort. The photographer captures this transition with a keen eye for the golden light reflecting off the Caribbean waters, highlighting the tranquil atmosphere of the beachside bars and restaurants. This image is award-worthy for its evocative capture of a fleeting tropical moment, balancing the vibrant colors of the sunset with the relaxed, rhythmic life of the island's coastline, transforming a simple evening stroll into a timeless visual narrative.

Sunset in Paradise by Kristel SturrusSunset in Paradise by Kristel Sturrus
Canon EOS 2000D with Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III
Exposure 1/1250sec @ f/5.6 | ISO 100 | Focal Length 135mm
Copyright Β© Kristel Sturrus
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Kristel Sturrus

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Kristel Sturrus is an emerging photographer whose creative journey began during her time living in Malawi, where she first discovered her passion for capturing the world through a lens. Now based in Philipsburg, St Maarten, she continues to refine her technical skills and artistic vision while documenting the vibrant landscapes and coastal beauty of her surroundings. Driven by a desire to transition from a dedicated hobbyist to a professional career, Sturrus focuses on translating her personal experiences and travels into compelling photographic stories.

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6.8/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
40/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
2,836 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date February 12, 2024
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 16.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Philipsburg, St Maarten

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Kristel Sturrus Photography
Sunrise & Sunset Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (6.6/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.2/5 points
244/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
2,836/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.4/5 points
40/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 6.6/20
Total Award Score: 70.6/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The amber glow bleeding across the Caribbean tide evokes a Turner-esque dissolution, where the horizon’s bruised violet meets the molten gold of a dying day. It’s a chromatic ache, really; I’ve felt my own pulse slow watching that specific, honeyed light cling to the Philipsburg boardwalk. One finds the palette isn't merely decorative, but a visceral surrender to the atmosphere, a quiet, shimmering harmony that makes the heart yearn for a place one hasn't even visited.
Julian Rowe Experimental Photography, Motion & Alternative Visual Languages Expert Review
It’s technically competent, but frankly, it’s a postcard. By freezing the Caribbean at 1/1250sec, Sturrus has stripped the sunset of its inherent fluidity. Why resolve every ripple so clinically? I’d have preferred a long exposure to dissolve that boardwalk into a smear of light, echoing Sugimoto’s temporal abstractions. It’s a missed opportunity to distort reality. I’m left craving a blur that actually feels like the heat of a St. Maarten evening, rather than this static, safe clarity.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/1250sec at f/5.6, 135mm, ISO 100. A shutter speed overkill for a static sunset. You’ve wasted light-gathering potential on a scene that didn't demand such velocity. The 135mm compression flattens the Caribbean horizon, yet the f/5.6 aperture leaves the foreground textures soft. It’s technically lazy. I’ve spent years staring at these sensors, and it’s frustrating to see a Canon 2000D underutilized like this. You had the data, but you didn't command the glass.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Farida Boussouf

The Edge of Everything

It is 3:14 am. The house is holding its breath, and I am sitting here with the realization that we spend our entire lives running toward a horizon that refuses to stay still.

Read the reflection →
By Beatriz Andrade

The Hour When Light Dissolves

I remember a pier in a city that smelled of salt and diesel, where the day would surrender with a sudden, bruised violet sigh. There is a specific threshold in the late afternoon when the world stops being a collection of objects and starts becoming a feeling.

Read the reflection →

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Tahmeed ShahriarAnthony DellArio - Photojournalism, Art Photography, Photography Awards, Photographer, Light & CompositionAnthony DellArio - Photojournalism, Art Photography, Photography Awards, Photographer, Light & CompositionGustavo Milani