About face

It was tight at the top of this round, but this extremely well-executed portrait by Steve is the deserving winner. The model's pose is relaxed and natural, and her gaze off to the side works very well. Normally, with portraits, viewers tend to prefer direct eye contact, but in this case it would have changed the dynamic entirely, losing the wistfulness that's a big part of the image's success. The retro-style processing also suits the subject very well, and suits the current appetite for muted tones in social photography.

This is an intriguing and amusing scene. First of all, we want to know what the two young women are discussing, and secondly, we're left curious as to their matching tops and the careful attention they've paid to their appearances. Retaining the warmth of the light has added to the overall atmosphere.

This is a somewhat surreal portrait that really grabs the attention. The man's face, peering out of the very centre of the frame, is surrounded by what appears to be some sort of oversized Elizabethan wig. It is, in fact, a bundle of jute fibre, and once we know that, it's hard not to shudder at imagining the fibre's coarseness and itchiness. The placement of the man's hand at the bottom of the frame is well thought out, and by converting the image to black & white, the photographer has ensured it remains a study in texture.

A good portrait should tell a story, and the judges felt an entire book could be filled with this couple's life story. The woman's hands are a vital part of the composition, with their texture, and the tension they create, playing an important role. The highlight in the man's eyes is crucial and brings life to the portrait, while the high-contrast black & white treatment is just right, and not overdone.