Kite Rider by Ryszard Wierzbicki

Captured against the vibrant backdrop of a sunset at Baan Tai, this photograph immortalizes the exhilarating energy of kitesurfing on Koh Phangan island. The image focuses on Tale Arques, a member of the Natural Kite Park group, as he skillfully navigates the waves during a period of strong winds. The photographer masterfully balances the golden hues of the setting sun with the dynamic motion of the rider, creating a compelling narrative of human connection with the elements. This piece is award-worthy for its ability to freeze a fleeting, high-octane moment into a serene, painterly composition that celebrates both athleticism and the beauty of the Thai coast.

Kite Rider by Ryszard Wierzbicki
Copyright Β© Ryszard Wierzbicki
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Ryszard Wierzbicki

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in Poland in 1963, Ryszard Wierzbicki transitioned from a diverse career in social sciences and marketing to pursue a life defined by exploration and visual storytelling. After relocating to the United Kingdom in 2006, he dedicated himself to documenting his extensive travels across South-East Asia and his passion for scuba diving. As a photographer and founder of multiple travel forums, Wierzbicki combines his adventurous spirit with a keen eye for motion, frequently using his work to support charitable causes for orphans in Thailand and Burma.

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11.1/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
184/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
11,149 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date April 28, 2018
66.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 12.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Baan Tai, Koh Phangan Island, Thailand

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Motion Photography
Ryszard Wierzbicki 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
4.1/5 points
824/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
11,149/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
1.8/5 points
184/500 Submission
Jury Score: 66.0/80
Resonance Score: 10.9/20
Total Award Score: 76.9/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Catherine Byrne Photographic History, Canon & the Long View Expert Review
Wierzbicki’s frame echoes the kinetic energy of Lartigue’s early speed studies, yet it’s the chromatic saturation that pulls me in. The way the rider cuts through that bruised, golden light recalls the tension in Gjon Mili’s stroboscopic work, though here the motion is fluid, not fractured. It’s a rare, visceral thrill to see the Thai coast rendered with such painterly precision. I’ve spent decades tracking this light, but this composition feels surprisingly, wonderfully alive.
Julian Rowe Experimental Photography, Motion & Alternative Visual Languages Expert Review
Wierzbicki’s frame isn't about the rider; it’s about the dissolution of the horizon. By letting the motion blur the kite’s trajectory, he’s moved closer to the abstract kineticism of Futurist painting than typical sports reportage. I’m genuinely struck by how he’s abandoned the safety of a sharp shutter speed. Why resolve the rider’s face when the wind’s velocity is the real subject? It’s a brave, messy refusal of clarity that makes the Thai coast feel alive.
Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
The horizon line cuts the frame. It’s a clean break. Above, the sky holds its breath. Below, the water carries the rider. I’ve spent minutes watching the space between the kite and the waves. It’s quiet there. The motion doesn't clutter the air; it defines the stillness. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty. It’s a pause. I feel a sudden, sharp ache for that silence. It’s rare to find such restraint.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Astrid Halvorsen

The Weight of the Wind

There is a specific, heavy stillness that precedes a shift in the wind, a moment where the air seems to hold its breath before the pressure drops. In the north, we learn to read this in the way the light thins, turning a pale, bruised violet just before the gale arrives.

Read the reflection →
By Sven Lindqvist

The Weight of the Wind

There is a moment when the body ceases to be a burden. It happens in the transition between the earth and the sky, when the air becomes a solid thing, a surface to lean against. We spend our lives anchored to the ground, measuring our days by the weight of our own footsteps.

Read the reflection →

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