The Award Award Showcase The Gallery Publications Gears University Expeditions About Us Career Learning & AI Future Curriculum Curiosity & Consciousness Sign In Submit Your Work →

Bed of Beauty by Laria Saunders

Captured within the lush, vibrant gardens of Los Angeles, Bed of Beauty showcases the elegant presence of peacocks as they roam freely through the landscape. The photographer utilized a 105mm macro lens to isolate the subject, balancing the natural light with a precise aperture of f/7.1 to achieve a shallow depth of field that emphasizes the intricate textures of the bird’s plumage. This image is award-worthy for its masterful composition and the photographer's ability to transform a fleeting moment of wildlife into a serene, painterly study of color and form.

Bed of Beauty by Laria Saunders
Nikon D90 with Nikon AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Exposure 1/200sec @ f/7.1 | ISO 320 | Focal Length 105mm
Copyright Β© Laria Saunders
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Laria Saunders

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Hailing from a multi-generational family of artists and professional photographers, Laria Saunders brings over 25 years of creative experience to her craft. Based in the arts district of downtown Los Angeles, she has garnered international recognition for her diverse work in abstract, wildlife, dance, and travel photography. As a co-owner of City of Angels Headshots, Saunders maintains an active presence in the art community, with her work featured in numerous galleries and exhibitions across the United States.

Profile View Full Profile
14.1/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
392/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
14,973 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date December 13, 2012
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 16.0
Style 13.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Los Angeles, The United States

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Color Photography
Laria Saunders Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (13.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,400/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
14,973/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
3.9/5 points
392/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 13.9/20
Total Award Score: 77.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Peacocks are vanity incarnate, yet here, the plumage dissolves into a murky, suffocating green. It’s a claustrophobic garden. I’m unsettled by how the light refuses to define the bird, choosing instead to swallow its form into the foliage. Saunders doesn’t celebrate the creature; she traps it. It’s a cold, heavy study of existence where the shadows aren't just backgroundβ€”they’re the cage. I find myself wanting to pull the bird out, but it’s already gone.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The peacock’s neck, a shimmering, electric cerulean reminiscent of Vermeer’s most precious lapis lazuli, vibrates against the muted, mossy greens of the Los Angeles undergrowth. It’s a collision of temperatures that leaves me breathless, as if the bird’s plumage were bleeding into the foliage. One finds here a chromatic tension that feels almost liquid, a lush, suffocating harmony where the light doesn't merely illuminate the feathers; it breathes a heavy, humid life into them.
Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The plumage’s geometry anchors the frame, forcing the eye into a rigid, rhythmic oscillation. It’s a disciplined study of texture against the soft, blurred foliage. The aperture choice creates a necessary spatial tension, isolating the bird’s iridescent mass from the chaotic garden background. I’m genuinely unsettled by how the tail’s curve disrupts the vertical axis. It doesn’t just sit there; it demands a structural reckoning. The composition holds, but only by a razor’s edge.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Clara Menezes

The Architecture of Grace

We often mistake vanity for the quiet, heavy work of existing. To carry such weightβ€”the iridescent armor, the fan of a thousand watchful eyesβ€”is not merely a display, but a slow, deliberate performance of survival.

Read the reflection →
By Margaret Holt

The Weight of Ornament

In the Victorian language of flowers and feathers, vanity was often treated as a moral failing, a frivolous distraction from the serious business of living. Yet, there is a biological gravity to display that suggests otherwise.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

3 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 *

Atlantis by Joy DasguptaAtlantis by Joy Dasgupta - Night Photography, Photography Awards, Dubai Photography, Art Photography, Photo of the DayMagical View Point, by Shikchit Khanal - Adventure Photography, Award Winning Photography, Photo of the Day, Landscape Photography, Nepal PhotographySmall Shelters in Vast Spaces