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Irrawaddy Squirrel by Masudur Rahman

Captured within the lush surroundings of the Chittagong University botanical garden, this portrait of an Irrawaddy Squirrel highlights the elusive nature of the species. The photographer, while on a routine birding tour, managed to overcome the squirrel's characteristic shyness to secure a sharp, intimate frame. The image is award-worthy for its technical precision in challenging conditions and its ability to document a difficult-to-approach subject with such clarity. It serves as a testament to the patience required in wildlife photography, transforming a fleeting encounter into a compelling study of natural behavior.

Irrawaddy Squirrel by Masudur Rahman
Canon EOS 1D Mark IV with EF 300mm
Exposure 1/25sec @ f/5.6 | ISO 125 | Focal Length 300mm
Copyright Β© Masudur Rahman
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Masudur Rahman

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1967 and based in Chittagong, Bangladesh, Masudur Rahman Mamoon is a dedicated wildlife photographer and a prominent member of the Chittagong Bird Club. Since beginning his journey with film portraiture in 1998, he has transitioned his focus toward the natural world, frequently documenting avian life across the country. His work, which often appears in local weekly publications, reflects a deep-seated belief that photography serves as a vital medium for creative expression and positive social change.

Profile View Full Profile
12.8/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
252/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
17,779 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date March 13, 2014
55.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 11.0
Composition 12.0
Style 11.0
Skill 10.0
Photograph Location
Chittagong, Bangladesh

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Masudur Rahman Photography
Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.5/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,860/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
17,779/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
2.5/5 points
252/500 Submission
Jury Score: 55.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.5/20
Total Award Score: 67.5/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 5

James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/25sec at f/5.6, 300mm. It’s a reckless gamble. At that focal length, the shutter speed is far too slow to negate mirror slap or micro-tremors. I’m genuinely surprised the subject isn’t a smear of fur. Rahman got lucky with the squirrel’s stillness, but relying on chance isn't craft. The depth of field at f/5.6 is thin, yet the focus is sharp. It’s a technically flawed approach that somehow yielded a clean result. I don't like the odds.
Isabelle Fontenay Colour Harmony, Tone & Atmospheric Light Expert Review
The squirrel’s coat, a muted ochre reminiscent of Morandi’s dust-laden palettes, vibrates against the verdant, suffocating emerald of the Chittagong foliage. It’s a chromatic collision that I find utterly intoxicating, as if the creature were merely a flicker of dried earth suspended in a humid, chlorophyll-drenched dream. One feels the damp heat of the garden in those deep, mossy shadows, where the light doesn’t just fall; it clings, heavy and ancient, to the squirrel’s twitching, nervous form.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
A 1/25th shutter speed for a twitchy squirrel? That’s a gamble that usually ends in a blurry mess. Rahman clearly didn’t just stumble upon this fellow; he sat still until his joints ached and the creature forgot he was there. I’ve spent enough mornings shivering in damp brush to recognize the stillness required for that focus. It’s a quiet, earned victory. He didn't just take the shot; he waited until the squirrel invited him in.
Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review
We look at this squirrel and we aren't just seeing a creature; we’re seeing a conversation. Masudur Rahman didn't just point a lens; he waited until the forest allowed him in. It’s in the way the creature holds its gaze, so steady and alert, that we feel the silence between them. I’ve spent my life listening to stories, and this tiny, twitching life tells one of patience. It’s a photograph that asks to be returned to.
Yusuf Al-Hamdan Landscape, Light as Presence & the Spiritual Dimension Expert Review
The squirrel sits in the dappled shade of Chittagong, caught in that fleeting, nervous stillness. I’ve spent enough hours waiting in the brush to know the photographer held his breath here, matching his pulse to the creature’s twitching fur. It’s a quiet, humble communion. The light doesn't just illuminate the subject; it reveals a secret. Looking at those dark, watchful eyes, I feel a sudden, sharp ache for the silence of the woods. He was truly listening.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Priya Kapoor

The Roughness of Bark

There is a specific grit to the underside of a tree branch, a dry, papery texture that leaves a faint dusting of earth on your fingertips.

Read the reflection →
By Clara Menezes

The Architecture of a Breath

We spend our lives moving through the world as if we are the only ones inhabiting it, heavy-footed and loud with our own intentions. Yet, there is a parallel existence unfolding just inches away, hidden in the architecture of the leaves and the quiet geometry of the branches.

Read the reflection →

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