Close-Up Portraits

A penny for my thoughts. This image really stood out from most because of the unusual and clever use of space. We get the close crop on the person but we are allowed to share in the space that she exists in. We get to think about what she maybe thinking.. The use of black and white adds to the nostalgia that this photograph evokes in the viewer as we are taken on a journey. Lovely capture.

This was so close to my top 10. It has a real iconic feel about it. Almost religious in how the image has been treated. The wonderful details in the face which has not been cleaned up in photo-shop only adds to the dramatic nature of how we respond to a photograph like this. The sharp details in the ginger hair and the incredible facial expression with the eyes closed add to the quietness and reflective quality in her pose. Technically very good, this picture makes you think and wonder - what is the subject deep in thought, thinking about. We will never know. Complex and beautiful.

This is such a beautiful and haunting photograph. The stare into camera keeps us from looking away and with the hand pressed against the glass we can only imagine what the little child is thinking. The rich pinks from the top she wears work so well against the darker surrounds and the blue hues from the window just give a nice bright distraction in the top left corner of the frame. The exposure is superb and not easy to meter on the face given the light behind the main subject. Overall this is a stunning portrait that fits the brief perfectly.. The photographer has got close in and the subject hasn't blinked in response. Superb.

A powerful and stunning example of a close up portrait. Superb saturated colors on the skin against the blue background and green strands of a plant across the face really make for an unusual portrait. The highly effective lightning and low camera position make this portrait really stand out. The expressive eyes looking out of camera and open lips only add to the glamour of this image. Lovely.

The vibrant neutral dark colors complement each other from the gold face paint to the out of focus ruby colored necklace. The fact that the photographer has got in so close has allowed to use a shallow depth of field with the perfect focus on the eyes with all other areas slowly and softly drifting out of sharpness really adds to the beauty of this picture. The way the head adornment balances out the rest of the frame and teases the eyes out with those incredible catch-lights just draws the viewer in further. A deceptive photograph that stays with us the more we look at it. Beautifully controlled. Well done.

The sheer intensity of that stare back into camera with the incredible catch lights offer a mesmeric look which makes it hard to do anything but keep looking back. The framing is perfect with the eyes completely horizontal within the frame. The shallow depth of field keeps all the attention onto those eyes and they are wonderfully balanced between the baseball glove and cap. Keeping the saturation to neutral makes the image all the more human and realistic. A compelling tight crop and visually stunning. Powerful.

This really stood out for the reason that we don't get eye contact. Instead the photographer has made the most delicate picture concentrating the viewers and cameras attention on the single eye and lashes. The soft black and white tones are very well controlled through perfect exposure which means we get all the details in the shadow areas whilst the highlights are well controlled. The shallow sharp focus on the lashes which are soft work so well next to the harsh zip on the top of the jacket. A beautifully balanced macro portrait that stands out from the crowd. Well done.

Hypnotic and powerful. Stunning colors across the entire frame work so well especially the clouds painted on the face. The intense stare into camera means we can't look away and their is a sadness behind the eyes. The exposure is perfect with a shallow depth of field directed onto the eyes then softly falling off around the edges. The background is beautifully even and really adds to the concept and drama in this powerful and emotive image.

This is a real in your face unapologetic close up vivid portrait. In this instance the wide angle lens works because of the colors and the placement of the subject. The strong warm light casts incredible details into the entire frame. As we look around we notice the wonderful turquoise line of make up above the eye and the fact the eyes look directly back towards us. The vibrant red lipstick not quite perfectly done with the cigarette held in place by the hand is reminiscent of advertising pictures from another era as are the colors. Framed so well by the hair. This is a powerful and very close up portrait which manages to flatter the subject. Not easy to do. Very well done and a great capture.

This is such a well considered and beautifully constructed close up portrait. The warm light is perfectly diffused across the entire face so that we take in all the information at once. The deep stare back into camera works so well especially with the lips just slightly open. It would have been easy to overdo the make up and lipstick but by working with a light pink rather than a typical red the portrait and face are balanced evenly especially against the framing of the stunning blue headscarf. The focal length is perfect and keeps everything in proportion. A simple but very effective classic portrait that has been made to the highest standards. Even the strands of hair into the face work beautifully. Attention to detail is everything. Very well done.

The slightly elevated camera position works so well as the young boys looks straight into the camera lens. The contrast between the highlights and shadow areas in the face really bring this portrait alive. The blurred background and foreground detail at the top of the frame take our eye to the captivating expression on the face and the cooler neutral colors in the shirt complement the warmer tones in the face. One small blemish the white dot on the lower neck could have been edited out but really when you have a photograph this vivid with deep saturated colors that complement the exposure and formal picture quality it would be wrong to focus only on such a small issue with the picture post production. A stunning close up portrait.

The quality of light on the face and eyes elevate this photograph above many others entered. The deeply saturated and intense pinks and reds work so well from the lift of color in the boy and clothes he wears against the same but darker background colors. This sense of detail and skill in exposure and balance in post production shows that this photographer has great technique and understands how to construct an image. The composition is simple and exactly what is needed in this type of image. It is beautifully balanced and would look well on the pages of National Geographic. A highly effective and beautiful portrait of a young man. Stunning.