Glow of Illusion by Bartłomiej Śnierzyński

Captured during the Wolimierz Outdoor Sessions near the Polish-Czech border, this evocative portrait utilizes a single light source paired with a twelve-point star filter to create a luminous, ethereal atmosphere. By directing the lens toward the light, the photographer achieved a striking star effect that transforms the scene into a dreamlike vision. The subsequent conversion to black and white emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow, stripping away distraction to focus on the raw, magical quality of the moment. This deliberate technical choice and artistic vision elevate the image, turning a simple outdoor session into a compelling, award-worthy study of light and illusion.

Glow of Illusion by Bartłomiej ŚnierzyńskiGlow of Illusion by Bartłomiej Śnierzyński
Sony A7 III with Tamron 28-75mm
Focal Length 28-75mm
Copyright © Bartłomiej Śnierzyński
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Bartłomiej Śnierzyński

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1983 and based in Saint Lazarus, Poznań, Bartłomiej Śnierzyński is a dedicated portraitist and documentary photographer. His work is defined by a profound fascination with the passage of human life and the subtle evolution of emotion, which he captures with precision and sensitivity. Through his lens, he masterfully encapsulates the beauty of fleeting moments, establishing himself as a keen observer of the human condition and the constant changes that shape our world.

Profile View Full Profile
6.7/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
34/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
2,252 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date January 9, 2024
72.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 13.0
Clarity 13.0
Composition 18.0
Style 14.0
Skill 14.0
Photograph Location
Wolimierz, Poland

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Bartłomiej Śnierzyński Photography
Black & White Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (6.5/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.7/5 points
330/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
4.5/5 points
2,252/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.3/5 points
34/500 Submission
Jury Score: 72.0/80
Resonance Score: 6.5/20
Total Award Score: 78.5/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Mei-Ling Chen Pattern, Geometry, Abstract Form & Visual Mathematics Expert Review
The twelve-point star creates a perfect radial symmetry that anchors the composition’s center of gravity. By placing the light source slightly off-axis, the photographer forces a dynamic tension against the negative space. It’s a brilliant spatial equation. I’m genuinely captivated by how the diffraction spikes slice the frame into precise, irregular triangles. The geometry here doesn’t just support the subject; it dictates the entire visual rhythm. It’s a rare, elegant solution to a complex light problem.
Rosa Park-Chen Sports, Action & the Fraction of a Second That Matters Expert Review
It’s a dreamlike study, but it lacks the kinetic tension I crave. The star filter creates a beautiful, static geometry, yet the subject feels suspended in a vacuum rather than a peak moment of exertion. I’m looking for the physiological snap of a muscle firing, not just a luminous glow. It’s technically sharp, sure, but it doesn't make my pulse race. I’d trade that ethereal light for one frame of raw, unvarnished human effort.
Valentina Marchetti Environmental Portraiture & the Dialogue Between Person and Place Expert Review
The twelve-point star filter fractures the light, turning the Polish woods into a crystalline, ethereal stage. It’s a deliberate, shimmering architecture that dictates the mood before we even reach the subject. I’m breathless at how the flare swallows the periphery, forcing the person into a dreamlike, liminal space. The environment isn't just a backdrop here; it’s the very fabric of the illusion. It’s a haunting, magical dialogue between the raw, dark forest and the artificial glow.
Catherine Byrne Photographic History, Canon & the Long View Expert Review
Using a star filter feels like a nostalgic nod to the kitsch of 1970s glamour, yet here it’s repurposed with surprising restraint. It’s reminiscent of the soft-focus experiments of Julia Margaret Cameron, though filtered through a modern, clinical lens. I’ve seen a thousand starbursts, but this one actually caught me off guard; it’s hauntingly precise. By stripping away color, Śnierzyński forces us to confront the artifice of the light itself. It’s a clever, if risky, dialogue with tradition.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Tom Bretherton

The Geometry of a Ghost

I remember sitting in a dimly lit tavern in Krakow, listening to an old man explain why he never looked directly at the sun.

Read the reflection →
By Margaret Holt

The Architecture of a Spark

There is a curious physics to the way we perceive brilliance. If you stare directly into a flame, you are blinded by the very thing you seek to understand.

Read the reflection →

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