My Boy by Ryszard Wierzbicki

Captured with a keen eye for human emotion, this portrait depicts a father proudly presenting his son through a window, framing the child as his ultimate treasure and hope for the future. The photographer masterfully utilizes the soft, natural light of the setting to highlight the profound bond between parent and child, set against the backdrop of extreme poverty. This image is award-worthy for its poignant storytelling and its ability to transform a simple, intimate moment into a universal symbol of resilience, pride, and the enduring strength of family ties in challenging circumstances.

My Boy by Ryszard Wierzbicki
NIKON D7200 | Exposure 1/250sec @ f/8.0 | ISO 800 | Focal Length 75mm
Copyright Β© Ryszard Wierzbicki
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Ryszard Wierzbicki

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1963, Ryszard Wierzbicki is a multi-faceted professional who transitioned from careers in social sciences, dentistry, and IT to become a dedicated photographer and PADI instructor. Since relocating to the United Kingdom in 2006, he has focused his lens on extensive travels throughout Southeast Asia, often documenting his volunteer work with orphan charities. As the founder of the photography forums Instant Travelling and World Around, Wierzbicki combines his expertise as a marketing advisor with a deep-seated passion for capturing the human experience and the natural world.

Profile View Full Profile
6.2/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
16/500
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SUBMISSION
Award Reach | Reviews
2,407 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date September 7, 2024
67.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 18.0
Style 13.0
Skill 12.0

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Ryszard Wierzbicki Photography
Travel Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (6.0/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
1.0/5 points
208/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
4.8/5 points
2,407/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
0.2/5 points
16/500 Submission
Jury Score: 67.0/80
Resonance Score: 6.0/20
Total Award Score: 73.0/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Mei-Ling Chen Pattern, Geometry, Abstract Form & Visual Mathematics Expert Review
The window frame acts as a rigid grid, forcing the subjects into a tight, central vertical axis. It’s a perfect 1:1 ratio of containment. The child’s face occupies the upper quadrant, creating a heavy visual anchor against the dark, negative space of the interior. I’m genuinely moved by how the geometry traps the light on their skin. It’s a solved spatial equation where the structural tension perfectly mirrors the weight of their precarious, beautiful existence.
Sophie Delacroix Emotional Narrative, Viewer Response & Psychological Impact Expert Review
Before the eye identifies the child, something in the chest tightens. It’s the sudden, sharp recognition of a father’s gripβ€”that protective, desperate architecture of fingers against the frame. I find myself holding my breath, mirroring the stillness of the boy’s gaze. When I return to this a year from now, I won’t see the poverty; I’ll feel the weight of that window, a fragile barrier between a man’s fierce pride and the world’s indifference.
Eleanor Voss Composition & Visual Structure Expert Review
The window frame acts as a rigid fulcrum, forcing the subjects into a claustrophobic geometry. It’s a brutal, effective containment. The vertical lines of the architecture slice through the frame, creating a tension that prevents the sentiment from spilling over into chaos. I’m actually unsettled by how the child’s placement disrupts the symmetry. It’s a calculated imbalance. The composition holds, but only because the structural weight of the aperture demands such absolute, unflinching discipline.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Isabelle Park

The Weight of a Legacy

I spent this morning cleaning out the back of my closet, pulling out boxes I haven't touched in years. I found an old, worn-out sweater that belonged to my father. It’s frayed at the cuffs and smells faintly of cedar, but holding it felt like holding a piece of my own history.

Read the reflection →
By Owen Callister

The Architecture of Roots

The banyan tree does not merely grow; it descends. It drops aerial roots from its high, sprawling canopy, reaching down through the humid air until they strike the earth and thicken into pillars of support.

Read the reflection →

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