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Muddy Boys by Ryszard Wierzbicki

Captured during a river journey from Sittwe to Mrauk U in Myanmar, this photograph documents a spontaneous moment of childhood joy along the banks of the Kaladan River. The photographer encountered a group of local boys fully immersed in play, their bodies coated in mud, reflecting the simple, uninhibited entertainment found in rural life. The image is award-worthy for its authentic portrayal of human connection and the raw, tactile quality of the scene, where the muddy environment becomes a canvas for the children's exuberant spirit and genuine happiness.

Muddy Boys by Ryszard Wierzbicki
Nikon D5000 | Exposure 1/250sec @ f/8 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 55mm
Copyright Β© Ryszard Wierzbicki
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Ryszard Wierzbicki

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1963 and a graduate of the University of GdaΕ„sk, Ryszard Wierzbicki transitioned from a diverse career in social sciences and marketing to become a dedicated travel photographer and tour organizer. After moving to the United Kingdom in 2006, he focused his lens on South-East Asia, often volunteering with organizations supporting orphaned children. As the founder of the Instant Travelling and World Around forums, Wierzbicki combines his professional expertise with a deep-seated passion for exploration, scuba diving, and documenting the vibrant cultures he encounters across the globe.

Profile View Full Profile
8.4/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
90/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
4,068 views | 7 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date January 17, 2023
67.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 13.0
Skill 12.0
Photograph Location
Myanmar

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Portrait Photography
Ryszard Wierzbicki Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (8.0/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
2.1/5 points
423/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
4,068/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.9/5 points
90/500 Submission
Jury Score: 67.0/80
Resonance Score: 8.0/20
Total Award Score: 75.0/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 7

Amara Diallo Portrait, Human Story & Narrative Portraiture Expert Review
We look at these boys and we don’t just see mud; we see the ancient, unburdened rhythm of the Kaladan. They’ve turned the riverbank into a kingdom, their laughter echoing through the frame. I’m struck by how they’ve invited us into their play, not as observers, but as kin. It’s a rare, tactile joy that makes me miss the simplicity of my own childhood. This is a photograph that asks to be returned to, again and again.
Priya Sharma Negative Space, Minimalism & the Japanese Aesthetic Expert Review
The riverbank isn't just mud. It’s a stage for stillness. These boys don't need the frame to be full. They’ve carved a pocket of joy out of the silt. I’m struck by the way the grey light clings to their skin. It’s quiet, despite the play. Nothing here is accidental. The empty corner is not empty. It’s a breath held in the heat. I’ve rarely seen such heavy silence in a portrait. It’s enough.
Deepa Krishnan Underwater Photography, Marine Environments & Subsurface Optics Expert Review
The Kaladan’s silt-heavy water acts as a natural filter, scattering light in ways that usually ruin a shot. Here, the mud isn't a technical nuisance; it’s the medium. I’ve spent my life fighting the refractive index of water, but these boys have mastered it. Their joy feels so tactile, almost like watching bioluminescence erupt in the dark. It’s rare to see such clarity in a riverbed environment. Honestly, it makes me want to dive right in.
Clara Whitfield Award Criteria, Legacy & What Makes an Image Endure Expert Review
Of the thousands of portraits I’ve reviewed, most rely on staged emotion. What separates this is the visceral texture of the mud, which acts as a second skin for these boys. It’s not just a snapshot of play; it’s a document of pure, unvarnished existence. I’ll admit, the sheer, chaotic joy here actually made me smile. In thirty years, this won’t just be a memory of Myanmar; it’ll be a reminder of what childhood feels like.
Thomas Hargreaves Earned Photographs, Craft Discipline & the Long Wait Expert Review
It’s easy to snap a shutter when the light hits a riverbank, but capturing this level of unvarnished exuberance suggests Wierzbicki didn’t just pass through. He clearly sat in the muck until the boys forgot he was there. I’ve spent enough hours shivering in damp reeds to recognize the patience required to dissolve into the background. It’s a rare, tactile honesty. One suspects he waited for the mud to dry just enough to tell the story.
James Rokeby Camera Craft & Technical Execution Expert Review
1/250sec at f/8, ISO 200, 55mm. The D5000’s sensor isn't a powerhouse, but f/8 keeps the mud-caked subjects sharp across the frame. It’s a calculated choice. The shutter speed is sufficient to freeze the movement without introducing noise. I’ve seen enough soft portraits to appreciate this discipline. It’s technically sound, though the mid-range focal length feels a bit detached. It’s not art; it’s a clean, clinical capture of a moment that I actually find quite refreshing.
Sophie Delacroix Emotional Narrative, Viewer Response & Psychological Impact Expert Review
Before the eye identifies the boys, something in my chest loosens. It’s the visceral, cooling weight of that river mud, a tactile memory that triggers a sudden, sharp longing for unburdened play. I’ve returned to this frame three times today; each time, their exuberant, smeared faces pull me further from my own composure. It’s a rare, messy joy that doesn’t just sit on the pageβ€”it settles into the pulse, lingering long after I’ve turned away.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Astrid Halvorsen

The Weight of Earth

In the damp, heavy air that precedes a summer storm, the light loses its clarity. It becomes thick, almost tactile, pressing against the skin like a wet wool blanket.

Read the reflection →
By Gabriel Ndidi

The Weight of the Earth

When I was seven, my cousin Tunde and I found a patch of red clay behind the shed after a heavy rain. We didn't see dirt; we saw a second skin. We smeared it over our arms and legs until we were no longer just boys, but statues carved from the garden itself.

Read the reflection →

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