Marco Polo Sunset by Ryszard Wierzbicki

Captured from the terrace of the Marco Polo Pizzeria, this photograph immortalizes the breathtaking sunsets that grace the west coast of Siquijor, Philippines. The photographer skillfully framed the scene to highlight the island's reputation as an undiscovered pearl, utilizing the golden hour light to cast a warm, inviting glow over the horizon. This image is award-worthy for its evocative composition and its ability to transport the viewer to a serene, tropical sanctuary, perfectly capturing the quiet magic of a daily ritual in one of Southeast Asia's most enchanting and photogenic destinations.

Marco Polo Sunset by Ryszard Wierzbicki
Copyright © Ryszard Wierzbicki
Light & Composition Photo of the Day

Ryszard Wierzbicki

REGISTERED PHOTOGRAPHER

Born in 1963, Ryszard Wierzbicki is a Polish-born photographer and traveler currently based in Swindon, United Kingdom. After a diverse career in education and marketing, he transitioned into a life of exploration, focusing his lens on the landscapes and cultures of Southeast Asia. A dedicated scuba instructor and humanitarian volunteer, Wierzbicki channels his passion for discovery into his photography, sharing his experiences through his travel forums and documenting the hidden beauty of the world for an international audience.

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12.9/20
RESONANCE
SCORE
270/500
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Award Reach | Reviews
12,223 views | 3 Reviews
Award Winner Photo of the Day
Award Date January 31, 2017
64.0
AWARD SCORE
Value 12.0
Clarity 12.0
Composition 17.0
Style 12.0
Skill 11.0
Photograph Location
Siquijor, Philippines

AWARD SEGMENT | TAGS

Ryszard Wierzbicki Photography
Travel Photography

Resonance Score Breakdown

Transparency in Award Scoring

Transparency Note: The resonance score (12.7/20) is calculated based on social engagement metrics collected before the award announcement.

Social Shares
5.0/5 points
1,359/1,000 Social Share
Page Views
5.0/5 points
12,223/2,500 Page View
Reviews
0.0/5 points
0/100 Review
Submissions
2.7/5 points
270/500 Submission
Jury Score: 64.0/80
Resonance Score: 12.7/20
Total Award Score: 76.7/100

Expert Photography Reviews · 3

Victoria Ashby Wildlife, Nature & the Ethics of the Unseen Moment Expert Review
Sipping a drink on a terrace while the sun dips low isn't wildlife photography; it’s tourism. I’ve spent weeks in damp hides, shivering for a single, honest frame of a creature in its element. This sunset is pretty, sure, but it’s entirely extracted from the comfort of a pizzeria. It lacks the grit of a real encounter. I find it hard to respect a frame that didn't demand a single ounce of field sacrifice.
Henrik Johansson Architecture, Built Space & the Conversation Between Structure and Light Expert Review
The terrace frame here acts as a threshold, yet it’s frustratingly passive. By prioritizing the sunset’s glow, Wierzbicki ignores the tectonic reality of the pizzeria itself. Where’s the datum of the floor or the weight of the structure? It’s a pretty postcard, but it flattens the space into a two-dimensional backdrop. I’d love to feel the actual mass of the building against that light, but instead, the architecture just dissolves into the horizon.
Julian Rowe Experimental Photography, Motion & Alternative Visual Languages Expert Review
It’s a shame the jury obsessed over clarity here. By chasing that postcard-perfect golden hour, Wierzbicki missed a chance to dissolve the horizon into something visceral. I’m genuinely frustrated; the light on Siquijor is begging for a long-exposure blur, yet it’s rendered with such safe, clinical precision. Why resolve the palm fronds so sharply? I’d prefer a smudge of color over this literalism. It’s technically sound, sure, but it’s just so terribly, predictably polite.
Reflections on this Photograph
By Priya Kapoor

The Salt on the Skin

The air before dusk has a specific weight, a thickness that clings to the back of the throat like the lingering ghost of sea salt.

Read the reflection →
By Yuki Sato

The Horizon’s Gentle Closing

There is a sacred rhythm to the way the day folds itself away. We spend our hours chasing the sun, measuring our productivity by the height of the light, but the true grace arrives only when the world begins to dim.

Read the reflection →

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