Portraits

As disturbing as this is, it has an almost Baconesque, haunting quality and surrealness. The subject looks so clearly into the camera, with no barriers erected, but then we don't know if he sees it or not, and he never will see this portrait due to his blindness. The photographer has made good use of the visual props and devices to give this a more open and subtle feel, and kept dignity in this work. A sign of someone who understands people well. A respectful portrait, and one that has depth to it.

It may be the incredible openness and beauty of this young girl, sitting in a timeless set, lightly propped but with such subtle use of light and with simple asymmetrical elements that makes this image so powerful, so uniquely identifying of this time in this young person's life. I think the choice to show this image in black and white has added the sense of dislocated history. It reminds me of the work of Vee Speers, but with enough originality and quality of execution of its own. It was easy to include this as one of my top ten choices.

The subject centrally framed, with the contrast of the red jacket against the subtle green canvas, almost like the background of a past that is fading away. This is an intervention by the photographer - taking the time to ask permission even though this is an utterly connected person. The photographer realises only in that moment, in that environment, the wildness of the space and the look that matches her personality. Lightly worked on but with great force and knowledge of the subject, and it's what makes this stand out for me as the winner.

An effective portrait tells a story, and in this rather harshly processed image of a Cuban boxer we get a real sense of the intentions and ambitions of this young man. The framing draws you through to the eyes right at the top of the frame, with the muscles bringing the menace, yet with eyes that are focused and resolute. It feels tropical, it feels hot, it feels humid, and the subtle pick-up of the yellow in the background works so well against the cool blue haze on the skin.

An almost anthropological study from the Markha Valley area of Ladakh, with the subject placed firmly in the centre of this image. I like the subtle tones and would have commended this picture, but to me it is lacking in warmth, and the framing is a little distracting and cluttered, leaving the subject almost fighting with the background. If that was the intention of the photographer then I respect that, but with a little more care I think this could be a stronger image than it already is.

I so wanted to like this image, and on first viewing I was very encouraged. But as I reviewed it I became more conscious of what I consider to be errors. I like the intention and the design but I do think that the hair across her face has lost the sense of mystical romanticism and connection, and the shape of the hands feels unnatural. I commend this effort though because I really think the photographer has brought some good ideas and a subtle execution to this.

Atmosphere is a key ingredient in an environmental portrait. This combined with the concentration or passion of the sitter can be the chords that work together. In this picture we are given both, but I think a little more care with the framing, or perhaps the cropping could have brought us into the subject a little more. That said, a lovely use of natural light and a real sense of being there when the Artist is in flow makes it possible to ignore the minor irritations.

I choose this picture as much for it's vitality and composition as for the technical execution and styling. I think it has an almost advertising, or even stock photography feel, and that's where I think it falls a little flat for me too. I see that all the elements are there but I am struggling to engage with the sitter, and am more caught up with the post than the present. But a well executed shot nonetheless, and I'm sure that commercially it will do (or has done) very well.

I found myself drawn to this physical image which has both power and grace, and such strength in the pose. I applaud the photographer for taking a different perspective, and indeed a different emphasis on the dancer. Well-lit and with good control of the highlights, it made we want to give this image a commendation. It was only the framing of the image that stopped it making it into my top ten. With the main subject being so dominating it would have been good to see it off-centre, allowing the eyes to work around it more. But that's nitpicking! Well done, a really good effort.

This image is both disturbing and electric. There is a moment caught here, an essence of the person behind the veil. Yet we are given no real clues in the image. Only on reading the information that comes with it do we find that this is the photographer's sister on her wedding day before the ceremony, when the butterflies and nerves are tangible. I love the tight framing and potentially unintentional terror. Is this the portrait or is it a caught moment of documentary? We may never know.