Karel Werner  

Charity Run by Karel Werner

July 2026 - Charity Run

About the Image(s)

This photograph was taken during a charity run organized by a primary school to raise funds for a children's home. I was invited to document the entire event.
During the race, this particular moment caught my attention. One of the teachers was running past a group of children standing along the course. The children were enthusiastically cheering him on and reaching out their hands to give him a high-five. For me, this spontaneous interaction between the teacher and the children became the main story of the photograph.
One thing I am not completely sure about is the colorful balloons in the background. On one hand, they help convey the festive atmosphere of the event. On the other hand, they are positioned close to the teacher's head, and I wonder whether they draw too much attention away from the main moment.
That is why I would appreciate your thoughts on this aspect of the image

5 comments posted

Alan Lichtenstein   Alan Lichtenstein
Karel, I think your image is more traditional PJD as opposed to HI, because without your description of the circumstances one would not get that impression from the story-telling of the image. Otherwise, it's well-composed and technically focuses on the image due to your selection of the aperture, likely with a large f-stop (you don't give your technical specs). But its clear and sharp with good colors.   Posted: 07/01/2026 19:45:50
Dr Isaac Vaisman   Dr Isaac Vaisman
Karel, I partially disagree with Alan in his comment about that this image is more PJD only. I have to emphasize that any image that shows people interacting in any way, is already HI. I found this article (one of many that are available) about what HI means in Photojournalism (https://newswirejet.com/what-is-human-interest-story/)
In PJ and Street Photography, most of the times there is no time to choose a vantage point and we shoot from the hip. I like the comment that you did on Christian's image this month: "That is why I personally prefer to look at the photograph itself first and the story it tells me before thinking about which division it belongs to".
Going back to this image, indeed the teacher's face expression and touching the hands of the sudents is the image. About the color ballons in the background, well, they were there and give the teacher Mickey Mouse ears.   Posted: 07/02/2026 06:47:56
Vinaya Mathews   Vinaya Mathews
Loved ur visual imagination of the ballons(the last line of ur comments. ha ha ha....
  Posted: 07/12/2026 04:49:21
Vinaya Mathews   Vinaya Mathews
Karel, lovely, lively image having full emotional impact.

I totally disagree with Alan. I felt, this photo doesn't need any description. Without description, instead of a teacher, I would have imagined that some film or sports hero is running, that's all. Otherwise a photo speaks about itself.

Expression of the teacher & keenness of children to touch his hand, has made an image, I think. I didnt find balloons distracting as they are quiet blur.

Overall, I likes the image   Posted: 07/12/2026 04:56:37
Jen Fawkes   Jen Fawkes
(Group 4)
Hello Karel, I also don't agree with Alan and do feel that this is a very suitable image for PJ-HI. The story is about the man/ children, both their interaction and the teachers expression. We don't need to know what the event is, or that this is teacher/ student interaction, to understand that this is a running event. I actually don't mind the balloons as they work for the composition, drawing the viewers eye around the frame as well as helping with location/ event. I like the chosen depth of field that effectively makes the man stronger in the frame. If anything, I would prefer to see a little more room around the man, especially the top.   Posted: 07/13/2026 00:54:14

 

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