The human face

Stunning portrait of an interesting character. What struck me about this image right away were the soft and pleasing muted tones. It's not quite monochromatic, but it's not full colour either. The treatment just works with the subject. His eyes are also piercing and draw you in to look longer. I find myself wanting to know more about this guy - who is he, what's his story? For me that is what makes a great photograph, especially a portrait - one that makes the viewer want more.

Rank #13 – I could only select and mark the top ten but wanted to also indicate my 11-20th choices. The simplicity of this portrait makes it work. Once again it's all about the eyes and windows to the soul. If I had to find any flaws I find it a tiny bit over sharpened -–I think it would be just as powerful without emphasising his whiskers and the pattern on the fabric which the sharpening does. Lighting is strong and the b/w processing is well done with deep rich blacks and pure crisp whites. Strong image.

Rank #11 – I could only select and mark the top ten but wanted to also indicate my 11-20th choices. I added this image to that list because it is a great example of everything done really technically perfect. The lighting is dramatic and contrasty yet there is still separation between his dark hat and coat and the background. That is expertly handled. Capturing the smoke is tricky and done well. I'd like to see a tiny bit more light in the man's eye (ever so little bit more) but that's nit-picking. Great image with lots of drama and depth.

Rank #14 – I could only select and mark the top ten but wanted to also indicate my 11-20th choices. Another black and white portrait that is simple but just works. I tell my students over and over – KISS – the less you put in your images the more powerful they will be most times. This one doesn't need a fancy background, or colour – just the man's face and good lighting. The 5 o'clock shadow he has adds to the feeling he's a hard working guy, maybe a farmer or craftsman. His eyes show wisdom but kindness. Well done – I'm sure he loves this portrait.

I kept coming back to this image again and again. Not only is the lighting gorgeous but the emotion in this image draws me in. Everything about this image just works: the strong off-center composition is dynamic, the dramatic lighting coming from the side (likely a window) creates depth, the background falling off to black is effective. All of that is great, but mostly it's about the woman. The viewer can feel her pain and sadness. This is a very successful image worthy of a prize.

I wanted to really like this image but a few things held me back. The things that are working for it are the processing and black and white treatment – it give the image an old feel, even the added texture overlay. The lighting on her is great, a nice direction for drama and depth. The thing that keeps throwing me is the sweater or blanket over her shoulder. It somehow brings me back to modern times and doesn't seem to fit with the image or the story. Clothing and props are key if you're doing this kind of theatrical shot. Overall, it is a really great image with lots of drama.

This is an image that tells a story, but one that I'd love to see processed with a lighter hand. The slight blue tone works and adds to the somber feeling of the woman. The HDR-like treatment in my mind takes away from the powerful image that is there already. I don't think you need to do a lot to a good image, you don't need techniques. Perhaps try a really simple b/w conversion, I think it has potential to go from great to fantastic. This image stands on its own with the setting, lighting and the woman's look.

Rank #15 – I could only select and mark the top ten but wanted to also indicate my 11-20th choices. Yet again another strong, dramatic black and white portrait. My background and beginning in photography was with b/w film and I have a soft spot for it in my heart still. But it has to be well done, as this one is. The deep dark shadow on the man's left side is so imposing and his expression is almost maniacal or a bit crazy-looking so it adds interest. The background on the right side of the image (his left shoulder) has a tiny bit of light on it to separate him from the abyss of the background. A very strong and powerful image.

There's lots going on here that really works to enhance this portrait: the dramatic lighting, the blue toning on a monochromatic image, the composition – they all work well. Two very small things kept this image out of the top ranked ones. 1 –the position of his face: with the tip of his nose breaking the line of his cheek it loses the shape of his face. Have him turn a tiny bit towards the camera puts the end of his nose inside the line of the face and gives him a cleaner look. 2 – having no light in his eye at all, unless of course that was the intention with a dark somber mood. 3 – focus: it's really hard to tell on this resolution image but it appears that focus is on his nose (whiskers and the middle of the chin are sharp). Generally you want to focus on the nearest eye, but in this case that one is in shadow so I'd sort of like to see the farther eye in sharp focus. There are some really minor points. as I've mentioned on other images, that keep it from going up a notch on an image that is already really good.

Fun fun fun. I love everything about this image, except one thing. His nose, or the tip of it, is in sharp focus but his eyes are not. I get this is a tricky one to get but if they eyes were sharp it would take this one up a notch. Composition (love the tight cropping), lighting and processing are all good. I love the shallow depth of field and bokeh in the background even. It was worth commending this one.

Fabulous! To me this image just exemplifies being a kid, at least being a kid in North America. Wind blowing the hair, sipping on a Coka-cola – just free to be a kid. I might like to see a bit cropped off on the left side, but I love the shallow depth of field and how blurry the background is adds to the free feeling. The "I can do anything" feeling of kids comes through to me in this image. Love it.

I marked this one to commend as it is something way outside the norm, way different. This type of thing was being done way before Photoshop using darkroom techniques and even layering and actual paper and glue. I'm not sure how this one was done but it's an 'A' for effort. It's an art piece and I'd love to know the story behind the person in the image. Why did the artist choose those elements? Why those colours? This is storytelling in a different way and artist expression – well done.

Oh boy, the eyes in this portrait! I have travelled to Turkey and was instantly taken there by this image (I don't know if he's Turkish or not but sure reminds of of some of the fellows I met there). I love the cross light that brings out the character in his face. The golden tones bring out his olive skin and enhance the image. Complimentary colours have been used very well here (slight hints of blue/cyan in his clothes and background) to balance it. His eyes seem to show a kindness and worldly wisdom that suck me right in. It makes me want to travel there again.

This image is just fun in so many ways. The wide angle lens treatment means this photographer had to have been right up in this guy's face, possible as they walked along. It takes courage to get this close to your subject. The intense complementary colours of his orange outfit balance with the blue sky and green tree. His expression is priceless. Kudos for this image and daring to be different. It makes me want to go to India or Nepal or both.

Rank #16 – I could only select and mark the top ten but wanted to also indicate my 11-20th choices. The simplicity of this image is what attracted me to it. The fact that the curves have been adjusted and how it feels like a matt black makes it feel a bit mysterious. I feel like it's his apartment. The lack of detail in the background adds to the mystery. Strong contrasty lighting on the man with a split lighting pattern is dramatic. It feels like he has hardship, or a hard life. Well done.

Rank #17 – I could only select and mark the top ten but wanted to also indicate my 11-20th choices. I can't find anything wrong with this image. It's about as simple as you can get but it just works. The background is way out of focus so you have to look at the man. The lighting is masterful and his expression draw you in. His clothing indicate that he's perhaps a farmer and his hat sitting askew on this head are endearing to me. It feels like a grandfatherly guy and one can imagine his grandkids running around at his feet.

Profile portraits are really challenging to do. The pose and light have to be just right. The lighting here is outstanding. I wanted to give this a commendation but a few things held me back, most are easy to fix when shooting so watch out for them next time you try this. The hair at the bottom coming up and touching her chin - watch for hair when shooting that looks like it's growing out of the face or sticking out. Either smooth it back when shooting (better option) or clone it out in processing. The highlight on her nostril is really distracting – clone it out in processing. Watch the hair over the eyes too. I'd love to see more of her eye, or one of them too – just a hint of an eye. The dramatic lighting is great and a few refinements make this outstanding.

Rank #18 – I could only select and mark the top ten but wanted to also indicate my 11-20th choices. To me this image seems timeless. It could have been taken yesterday or 50 years ago. It's simple. She's in the centre of the image, yes, but it works for this image (sometimes centred is best). Her face, expression, clothing tell a story. She looks tired yet focused and determined – and she is lovely at the same time, gentle. The b/w tones are muted, almost matt, which adds to the timeless feel like a faded old photograph.

I could not get over the powerful expression on this kid's face. His eyes are piercing, almost threatening. Without knowing his real story he feels like a homeless kid, wrapped in a blanket, living on the street. His face has marks to indicate a hard life for one so young. His eyes have trepidation, sorrow, uncertainty. The blanket framing his face – whether done on purpose or if he was just like that – really help put the focus on his face. Having the background fall out of focus and go to black add to that effect. Powerful.

The first things that caught my attention in this image are the lovely black and white tones. The thing that kept me interested is the lady - her expression and body language. She seems lost in thought, perhaps even sad. But her arms crossed seems like she's protecting herself or guarded. The composition is great - having her looking to the side and more space on that side of the image leaves her room to look into. The chair, the TV remote and the simple room add to a sense of who she is as a person and make us want to know more.

The story of this image is this girl's tentative expression. Possibly the photographer called to her or got her attention and she turned. But she's cautious, reserved, not sure. She's clutching that towel (or blanket) around her tightly. The off-centered composition is strong with space to the left side. The background has quite a bit going on and perhaps if the contrast and clarity in the background (left portion of the image) were lowered the focus would be even more on the girl's face. The contrasty bit takes the eye away a bit, but I keep going back to her face. Great capture.

Rank #19 – I could only select and mark the top ten but wanted to also indicate my 11-20th choices. This image is different in so many ways that I wanted to commend it. First of all it's vertical – of all the entries a few small percentage were shot in this orientation. Secondly there is a very shallow depth of field, almost like a tilt shift lens or effect has been used or applied in post-processing. Thirdly, the muted tones and slight blue cast have a cross-processed feel, a sort of 70s retro. Lastly his expression is inquisitive, judging, skeptical – maybe even a bit manic. I reward this image for daring to be different, it works.

Technically this image is really well done, perfect even. It's interesting, but I guess the message just isn't clear because for me I don't get the story. Why the bright hot pink background? Why is she painted black? Why does she have thumbtacks on her body? Why is she licking her lip? Doing stuff that is cool is great, but an odd subject does not necessarily make a good photo. For me it's just not working as I'm confused. I reward the creativity of an idea that is different, however.

Rank #20 – I could only select and mark the top ten but wanted to also indicate my 11-20th choices. The power of this image is in the use of the dramatic black and white treatment and high contrast lighting. We can only see one side of his face as the other falls off into deep shadow, yet that small spark of light in the other eye adds to the effect. The cross lighting adds to the texture we see on his skin making him feel rough, tough. Yes, his expression is calm, serious, but he doesn't feel mean or angry. I might suggest just toning down the highlight on his ear a bit to keep focus on the face but overall this is a powerful portrait.