And I … by Ryszard Wierzbicki

Captured in the rural landscapes of Laos, this candid portrait reflects a moment of pure, unadulterated joy. Inspired by the passionate spirit of Whitney Houston’s music, the photographer observed a young girl singing alongside her friends on her way to school. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the universal nature of happiness, even in the simplest of settings. By focusing on the subject's radiant expression and the authentic atmosphere of the moment, the photographer successfully elevates a fleeting daily routine into a timeless, award-worthy celebration of childhood innocence and human connection.

And I … by Ryszard Wierzbicki
Nikon D5000 | Exposure 1/250sec @ f/8 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 125mm
Copyright Β© Ryszard Wierzbicki
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Ryszard Wierzbicki

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1963, Ryszard Wierzbicki is a Polish-born photographer and educator currently based in Swindon, United Kingdom. After a diverse career in social sciences and marketing, he transitioned to a life of exploration, dedicating his time to photography, scuba diving, and humanitarian volunteering in South-East Asia. His work is deeply influenced by his extensive travels and his commitment to documenting the human experience, often supporting charitable causes through his photography and online travel communities.

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11.3/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
100/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
11,414 views | 5 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date July 12, 2016
63.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 11.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 17.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Luang Prabang, Phonsavan Area, Laos

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Candid Photography
Ryszard Wierzbicki Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (11.1/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,560/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
11,414/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.1/5 points
2/100 Review
Submissions
1.0/5 points
100/500 Submission
Jury Score: 63.0/80
Resonance Score: 11.3/20
Total Award Score: 74.3/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Dmitri Kasakov Contrast, Shadow Drama & the Metaphysics of Light Expert Review
Joy is often a shallow mask, yet here, the light doesn't merely illuminate; it interrogates. Wierzbicki’s subject sings, but the deep, encroaching shadows behind her suggest a silence that swallows the melody whole. It’s haunting. I’ve spent hours staring at the way the darkness clings to her periphery, refusing to let the innocence breathe. We aren't seeing happiness; we're seeing a fragile resistance against the inevitable gloom of the world. It’s a beautiful, terrifying struggle.
Mei-Ling Chen Pattern, Geometry, Abstract Form & Visual Mathematics Expert Review
The subject’s tilted head creates a sharp diagonal, slicing the frame into a dynamic 1:2 ratio of negative space against the dense, textured foliage. It’s a brilliant spatial equation. The vertical axis of her posture anchors the composition, while the blurred background provides a soft, non-linear counterweight. I’m genuinely moved by how the geometry forces our eyes toward that radiant, open mouth. It’s a perfectly solved problem of light, vector, and pure, unadulterated human joy.
Yusuf Al-Hamdan Landscape, Light as Presence & the Spiritual Dimension Expert Review
The light here isn't just illumination; it’s a soft, diffused grace falling over the Phonsavan dust. I’ve spent enough mornings waiting for that specific, gentle glow to know he didn't rush this. He stood quietly, letting the landscape breathe until the girl’s joy became part of the air itself. It’s rare to see such unburdened happiness. Honestly, it makes my own heart ache a little for the simplicity of that path to school.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Clara Menezes

The Architecture of a Song

We often mistake joy for a destination, a place we arrive at only after the heavy lifting of life is done. But look at the way a seed splits the earthβ€”it does not wait for permission or perfect weather; it simply erupts because it is in its nature to reach for the light.

Read the reflection →
By Amelia Cross

The Echo of a Song

The kitchen table in my childhood home still bears the faint, circular white ring where my father’s coffee mug sat every morning for twenty years. He has been gone for a decade, yet the wood remembers the heat of the ceramic, a ghost of a habit etched into the grain.

Read the reflection →

Reviews & Comments

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

5 replies
  1. JosΓ© J. Rivera-NegrΓ³n says:

    I think the style on this one is good because it has their own style and stands out from the rest

    Reply

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