Waiting for The Sunset by Kristel Sturrus

Captured during a quiet moment in St. Maarten, this photograph reflects the photographer's deep appreciation for the island's natural beauty. While waiting for the elusive green flash at sunset, the photographer observed the surrounding environment, finding a shared stillness with the landscape. The image is award-worthy for its ability to transform a fleeting, atmospheric transition into a contemplative visual experience, balancing the vibrant hues of a Caribbean dusk with the serene patience required to witness such a delicate natural phenomenon.

Waiting for The Sunset by Kristel SturrusWaiting for The Sunset by Kristel Sturrus
Canon EOS 2000D | Exposure 1/640sec @ f/5 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 150mm
Copyright Β© Kristel Sturrus
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Kristel Sturrus

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Kristel Sturrus is a dedicated photographer whose creative journey began during her time in Malawi, where she first discovered a profound passion for capturing the world through a lens. Now based in Philipsburg, St. Maarten, she draws inspiration from the island's vibrant landscapes and marine life to refine her technical skills. Driven by a desire to transition her artistic hobby into a professional career, she continues to explore the interplay of light and nature in her evolving portfolio.

Profile View Full Profile
6.3/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
24/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
2,449 views | 4 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date January 19, 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 (6.3/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.0/5 points
206/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
4.9/5 points
2,449/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.2/5 points
4/100 Review
Submissions
0.2/5 points
24/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 6.3/20
Total Award Score: 70.3/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 4

Rafael Ortega Shutter Technique, Motion & the Cinematic Single Frame Expert Review
The light hits the horizon and the frame breathes. It’s a long take, a moment of pure, suspended anticipation where the shutter caught the exact second before the world shifts. I’ve spent hours in editing suites chasing this kind of stillness, and honestly, it makes me want to put down the camera and just watch. The 150mm compression pulls the dusk tight. It’s the frame the editor keeps because the cut would have been a mistake.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/640sec at f/5, ISO 200, 150mm. A telephoto reach that isolates the horizon, yet f/5 leaves the foreground transition soft. It’s a safe aperture choice, but it lacks the surgical precision I’d prefer for such atmospheric light. The shutter speed is overkill; you didn't need that much freeze for a static sunset. Honestly, it’s technically competent but uninspired. You’ve captured the light, but you haven’t mastered the optics. It’s just another sunset, really.
Marcus Trent Human Truth, Documentary & The Decisive Moment Expert Review
You waited for the green flash, but you found something better in the stillness. I’ve spent enough time on beaches to know that feelingβ€”the world shrinking down to just you and the horizon. It’s quiet, isn’t it? You didn’t force the sunset; you let it breathe. There’s a genuine humility in how you framed this. It’s not just a pretty sky. You were actually there, feeling the light fade. I respect that patience.
Mei-Ling Chen Pattern, Geometry, Abstract Form & Visual Mathematics Expert Review
The horizon line bisects the frame at a precise 1:3 ratio, anchoring the composition against the vertical thrust of the distant headland. It’s a masterclass in spatial equilibrium. The negative space in the upper quadrant forces the eye downward, tracing the light’s vector toward the shoreline. I’m genuinely moved by how the geometry resolves the chaos of the Caribbean dusk into such stillness. It’s a perfectly solved equation of light and mass. I’ve rarely seen such elegant structural restraint.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Layla Ibrahim

The Art of Staying Still

Dear reader, I have been thinking about the way we treat time like an enemy. We run toward the next hour, the next day, the next promise, as if standing still were a failure of character. But there is a specific, heavy grace in the act of waiting.

Read the reflection →
By Priya Kapoor

The Salt on the Skin

There is a specific grit that settles on the skin after a long day near the tide. It is a fine, powdery residue, a mixture of dried salt and the microscopic debris of the shore.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

4 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 Quiet Language of PetalsPurple Flowers by Leanne Lindsay - Purple Flowers, Photography, Flower Photography, Photo of the Day, Light & Composition UniversityPurple Flowers by Leanne LindsayA Touch of Faith by Luis Alberto Poma Criollo - Photo of the Day, Art Photography, Photojournalism, Photography Awards, Light & Composition University A Touch of Faith by Luis Alberto Poma CriolloThe Architecture of Need