Behind my Notebook by Ryszard Wierzbicki
Captured in the remote Lawa Village of Northern Thailand during an English camp, this poignant portrait documents a moment of quiet connection. The photographer observed a group of shy, modest children deeply engaged in their studies, eventually focusing on a young girl who sought refuge behind her notebook. This image is award-worthy for its delicate balance of vulnerability and composition, capturing the essence of childhood innocence amidst the cross-cultural exchange of the volunteer program. The photographer’s ability to remain unobtrusive allowed for a candid, authentic expression that speaks volumes about the human experience in a rural educational setting.
Exposure 1/750sec @ f/6.7 | ISO 200 | Focal Length 200mm
Ryszard Wierzbicki
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 into a life of travel, scuba diving instruction, and documentary photography. His work is deeply influenced by his exploration of South-East Asia and his commitment to volunteering with orphanages and educational charities. Through his platforms, Instant Travelling and World Around, he shares his passion for capturing the human spirit across diverse cultures.
Resonance Score Breakdown
Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.3/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.
Expert Photography Reviews · 3
The Space Between Us
I was sitting in the back of the bus this morning, watching a young girl across the aisle. She was clutching her backpack against her chest like a shield, her eyes darting toward the window every time someone new stepped on board.
Read the reflection →The Architecture of Hiding
Why do we build walls when we are most in need of being seen? From the moment we learn to speak, we are taught to present a face to the world, a mask of composure that suggests we are entirely present. Yet, there is a profound, quiet wisdom in the act of retreating.
Read the reflection →Reviews & Comments
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1/750sec at f/6.7, 200mm. The compression is aggressive, flattening the background into a manageable blur. It’s a calculated choice for isolation. At ISO 200, the sensor isn’t struggling, but the f/6.7 aperture is an odd compromise; it’s neither sharp enough for total clarity nor soft enough for true bokeh. I’ve spent years analyzing these files, and honestly, the technical restraint here actually works. It keeps the subject’s eyes locked in sharp, clinical focus.
The notebook acts as a rigid fulcrum, bisecting the frame with clinical precision. It’s a sharp geometric barrier that forces the eye toward the subject’s singular, exposed orb. The negative space surrounding the paper is handled with restraint, preventing the composition from collapsing into sentimentality. I’ve rarely seen such structural discipline in a candid portrait. It doesn’t rely on the narrative of the village; it holds because the geometry is absolute. It’s cold, yet undeniably correct.
At 200mm, the compression flattens the Lawa village background into a soft, buttery bokeh, a function of the f/6.7 aperture that isolates the subject perfectly. I’m genuinely moved by how the lens resolves the fine, stray fibers of the notebook’s edge against her skin. It’s a sharp focal plane that doesn’t just capture a girl; it captures the physics of her vulnerability. The diffraction of light across that paper surface is, quite simply, extraordinary.