New Joiners - People #508

A great example of a punchy character portrait. The low camera angle elevates the status of the individual within the frame and the pose fits in well with the slogan on the T-Shirt. The stare out of camera again shows a sense of respect for the armed forces and probably suggests that the person in frame is an ex service man themselves. The exposure is spot on and the attention to detail within the face is excellent. The sky is well controlled and overall this is a stunning example of a powerful portrait with a message. Well done.

We focus in the center of the frame and then our eye goes out to the darkened edges of the frame. The tight crop works very well and the flowers in the hair add a surreal feel to the picture. It reminds me of the old school Polaroid Type 55 film which was a paper negative and offered this magical feel to images. Beautiful. Well done

Uncompromising and direct. This intense portrait works really well. The tight crop is well considered given the subject and the detailing in the beard and face is excellent. The use of black and white is totally appropriate for the subject and places the image within a documentary tradition. A classic of its type. really well done.

Such a beautiful study by the photographer observing this small child, the image revealing the powerful look of concentration on the face. The quality of light is superb with the rim light around the arms, face and hat really engaging and isolating the subject from the background. The low camera angle works very well as does the split second timing to capture the flag just before it hits the floor where the flag is. We then get this soft pink reflection on the floor. The dark blue wall really frames the pose of the young child. This is just such a beautiful photograph that would sit well in the pages of National Geographic. Very well done.

Great use of technique employing a double exposure onto a single piece of film has created a dramatic almost underwater scene. The deeply saturated colors of the person and the deep blues of the bag work really well against the lighter blues within the rocks and sky. We have to work hard to see where the images are separated and this time allows the image to reveal more and more. It reminds me of childhood, spending time in the rock pools on the beach. Lovely. Well done.

Such a action packed photograph with so many areas to look at. My eye is naturally taken to the center space and person with the mask on but i them turn to the two individuals to the left and start to look at the wonderful detailing in the tops they wear, the expressions on the face and the wonderful red lipstick that really stands out. A great capture. Well done

This would be a wonderful landscape on its own. The addition of the three people elevates this image into something special. We get to see where they are within the landscape. The relationship between the people and the space they now inhabit for this brief moment. The muted color palate works really well with the low clouds and rain hitting the water. The spaces they each hold within the frame. Its a wonderful composition with the photographer very much out of the scene. Really well done.

We get a real sense of community and camaraderie within this image. The elevated camera position allows us the viewer to see the people huddled together against the backdrop of the sea behind them. The exposure is really well controlled especially the detail in the people as it would have been easy to get this wrong given the amount of light coming from the sea and sky. Very well done. The use of black and white allows us to focus on the formal picture itself without the distraction of color. Great capture of a special moment for this group of people. Well done

A lovely portrait of a young girl looking up into the camera. The direct eye contact really engages the viewer and welcomes us into the picture. The wonderful subtle colors work well together with nothing really standing out so we get to concentrate on the expressive facial expression. The tight crop fills the frame with the girl and the soft out of focus background with the muted grey color again means all the attention is focused on the face and those incredible brown eyes. A stunning portrait. Well done.

A classic composition and with the incredible color that runs across the frame this really is a commentary on the visual divides within communities. The added addition of the man wearing the exact color suit as the bank behind is one of those elements within photography that the great photographer Joel Meyerowitz describes as gifts from above. This has all the perfect elements coming together to create a beautiful but sombre reality of modern life. Very well done. A classic composition very well seen and photographed.

The strong light looks beautiful on the woman's face as she looks out of the image onto the ocean surrounding her. The tight crop and shallow depth of field means we get to concentrate on the beautiful clothes and features on the face. The open mouth with red lipstick works so well as does the hand shielding the sun from her face. The exposure is perfect, not easy with the bright light against the white/cream jacket. The highlights and shadows are very well controlled. The hair just flows in the breeze. and overall this is a wonderful formal portrait. We are all thinking wish I was there. Stunning.

A lovely example of a character portrait. Really well composed and using the natural light from the window to give a really nice soft light on the face. The positioning of the lady to the left of center allows us the viewer to see the wonderful table cloth with the fruit in the bowl which gives us a sense of place and decoration. The exposure is very well controlled and the decision to use natural colors rather than really saturate them gives a natural feel to the overall picture. The stare back into camera works well and brings us the viewer into the world of this person photographed. Really well done.

A subtle and soft image which requires several looks to really understand and see what is going on. The smoke from the small fire adds depth to the image whilst also dampening down the colors from the flowers above the person. Its overall muted color palette work well in this rather sombre scene which works perfectly with the idea of isolation and a quiet moment. Really nice capture. Well done.

The quality of light and tight crop really makes this unique image stand out from the crowd. We get to see the relationship between the owner and the horse. The wonderful warm skin tones and orange hair compliment both subjects and the piercing blue/grey eyes really stand out as does the red lipstick. The fact that the lady looks out of camera and the horse appears to look into camera allows us the viewer to engage further with the subjects as we feel we are involved. A lovely study of a person and horse in close harmony. Beautiful.

I love the pose which shows so much anguish. The model is playing his part perfectly in this posed image made to look like a candid portrait. The use of black and white adds extra edge to the scene and the pained expression on the face. The frame at an angle holds the composition well and the exposure is well controlled in difficult lighting conditions. Well done.