Portraits

The eye contact in this image shows how important that aspect is within a portrait shot, alongside tight framing and control over tone. The photographer clearly has a superb eye (no pun intended) and can create a very arresting image with just a single subject and a useful gust of wind. The bokeh isn't overly oppressive either, letting the subject stand out without forcing the viewer towards a certain aspect. The sharpness in the face and hair isn't distracting from one another, but instead pleasantly complementary.

Getting children to stay still is one of the trickier aspects of portrait photography of the young, but this shot shows the fantastic rewards when you manage it. The piercing eye contact and masterful control of bokeh really makes this shot, as does the slightly chaotic arrangement of her hair. There's an impressive honesty to this shot, and a slightly inquisitive nature to the child, which I'm sure was down to the hard work and patience of the photographer as much as the willing participation of the child.

Having a degree of a connection or rapport with a subject shines through with a portrait image. This photo proves that point, as the smile from this gentleman is slight, but his eyes are telling just as much as the rest of his face showing the ease and comfort with the photographer. From a technical perspective the control over the depth of field and sharpness is fantastic, as this image offers pin-sharp detail where needed slowly fading into a pleasant bokeh and an honest skin tone showing impressive warmth.

Quiet moments of contemplation can be just as powerful as a big beaming smile, as this image shows. Although this man isn't looking directly at the camera, he's clearly lost in his own thoughts, and, regardless of the subject, is showing plenty through his eyes and face. The photographer has wisely chosen black and white to reflect the mode of the shot, and the detail mixed with the move into bokeh makes for an extremely moody, but somehow welcoming, shot.

This is a true example of portrait photography, showing some honest emotion in an image. It's why children make such wonderful subjects, as they rarely hide what they're feeling. This girl is trying to hide her smile, but failing miserably, as her eyes and face are showing the happiness she feels for all to see. The photographer clearly has a wonderful rapport with her, and has framed it wonderfully to incorporate the space around her to give the image warmth while retaining a very honest tone and enough sharpness to retain detail and a degree of softness on the skin. A wonderful photo.

This beaming smile is all you need to start grinning yourself, regardless of the amount of paint this young lad is coated in, something that is clearly making him so pleased with himself. The Holi festival is a marvellous photo opportunity, but this shot is so different from the majority of images that it stands out, and the open, genial nature of this boy makes him the perfect subject. The image is a perfect moment in time, and perfectly communicates emotion.

An inquisitive face and a slight smile gives this image the honest and heart-warming appeal it needs, alongside a close crop and impressive control of depth of field. Bokeh is such an overused feature these days, it's pleasant to see some contrast in the focal depth rather than a sudden drop-off. The photographer has a real control over the finer techniques of portrait photography, and clearly has a great rapport with the subject. A very impressive image, extremely well executed.

What a wonderfully playful grin from this child, and at such a proximity to the camera to instantly make you feel at ease. With such an open nature the photographer only had to pick a plain background and manage the sharpness mixed with the bokeh, both of which are achieved masterfully. Every inch of this child's face is grinning and, in spite of the slightly ragged clothing, you can see that he or she is clearly enjoying life. A wonderfully disarming and honest shot.