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

Lizard – the Hunter by Joaquín Alonso Arellano Ramírez

Captured as part of a dedicated series titled 'Hunters,' this macro photograph offers an intimate glimpse into the life of a lizard in its natural habitat. The photographer encountered the subject by chance, leading to a patient observation of the creature’s hunting behavior. By utilizing a shallow depth of field, the image isolates the lizard against a soft, blurred background, emphasizing its alert posture and intricate textures. This work is award-worthy for its technical precision and the photographer's ability to transform a fleeting, accidental encounter into a compelling narrative of wildlife in motion.

Lizard – the Hunter by Joaquín Alonso Arellano Ramírez
Nikon D7000 with NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G
Exposure 1/320sec @ f/3 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 105mm
Copyright © Joaquín Alonso Arellano Ramírez
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Joaquín Alonso Arellano Ramírez

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Based in Monterrey, Mexico, Joaquín Alonso Arellano Ramírez balances a professional career as a software engineer with a deep-seated passion for nature and macro photography. Since acquiring his first DSLR in 2010, he has dedicated his time to mastering technical skills and experimenting with diverse photographic techniques. His work is driven by a lifelong curiosity and a commitment to continuous learning, often focusing on the intricate details of the natural world through his Nikon equipment.

Profile View Full Profile
11.1/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
88/500
SHARE
SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
15,353 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date February 22, 2015
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 16.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Joaquin Alonso Arellano Ramirez Photography
Wildlife Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (10.9/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,485/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
15,353/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.9/5 points
88/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 10.9/20
Total Award Score: 74.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The lizard’s diagonal posture anchors the frame, creating a necessary tension against the blurred, non-descript background. It’s a study in spatial economy. The shallow depth of field forces the eye toward the creature’s sharp, granular texture, refusing any distraction. I’ve grown weary of wildlife shots that rely on sentiment, but the structural discipline here is undeniable. The composition holds its weight. It doesn't need a narrative to justify its existence. It simply functions.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
One suspects the light cooperated on the first attempt. It often does, for the patient. Ramírez captures the lizard’s stillness, yet I’m left wondering if he simply stumbled upon this hunter or spent hours baking in the Monterrey heat to earn that focus. It’s a sharp, clean shot, but I’d have preferred more grit in the process. Still, the texture of those scales is undeniably fine. It’s a decent effort, provided he didn't just get lucky.
Marcus Trent Human Truth, Documentary & The Decisive Moment Expert Review
You waited. I can feel it in the way that lizard holds its breath, muscles coiled, waiting for the world to move. It’s not just a macro shot; it’s a standoff. I’ve spent enough time in the brush to know that stillness isn't easy. You didn't just capture a creature; you caught the tension of the hunt. It’s honest, and it’s sharp. You were there, fully present, and that’s what makes this work.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Tom Bretherton

The Art of Stillness

I spent three hours sitting on a limestone rock in the heat of the afternoon, waiting for a desert fox that never showed. My legs were cramping, and the dust had settled into the creases of my boots.

Read the reflection →
By Daniel Ferreira

The Unseen Inhabitants

We often mistake the city for a purely human construct, a grid of concrete and glass designed solely for our own convenience. We forget that the urban landscape is a layered ecosystem, a palimpsest where non-human lives persist in the margins of our infrastructure.

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 *

Cheyne WallsCheyne Walls - Cheyne Walls, Fine Art Photography, Landscape Photography, Photography Awards, Award-Winning PhotographerAn Exclusive Interview with Dipanjan Mitra - Photography Interview, Photo of the Month, Award Winning Photographer, Landscape Photography, Travel PhotographyAn Exclusive Interview with Dipanjan Mitra