Portraits with personality

I think some portraits don't really need any critique. It's hit all points in the brief, but what's great about younger portrait subjects is you'll nearly always get a true representation of who they are and what's going on in their mind. Thanks for making me laugh and well done on a really great photo. It's quite timeless. Ace textures. -PJB

Love this photo. She still looks like her six year old self. We all have that age we think we are in our heads, what's yours? I think we can see hers in this image and I bet she giggles a lot. You've made a great portrait that gives me a real feel of who she is. -PJB

I came back to this photograph a few times. It has a great draw and I'm keen to know more about this man's story. There's a struggle in there somewhere but obviously from what we can see in his surroundings he is in a happy chapter of life. Maybe I'm wrong. This is something portrait photography should do, make us wonder and ask questions. -PJB

I absolutely love this photograph of Frank. The brief has been fulfilled in all aspects, which was a rare thing in this particular contest I thought. Few managed to capture that part of the brief which was to really get a glimpse of someone's personality, and in my opinion this photo conveys that without having to explore the written story behind the image. That is a sign of a great portrait. with the technicalities out of the way I would say that it is beautifully unique and is a joy to look at. Great work and congratulations. -PJB

There's a lot to unpack here. I'm not sure of a lot of the intentions but I love the way the subject of the portrait is bathed in light, his face fully there while hers is in the shadows. Feels like the photographer is implying she's not quite there. There's a true sense of him being in a sincere moment and you can get a feel of what he is feeling and who he is. Portraiture as a tool for story telling is very important in the documentary world. Well done. -PJB

There's a heavy burden behind those eyes. Not something a lot of us usually see on a child's face but it's instantly recognisable. I like more that the eye line is off elsewhere, perhaps constantly under the pressure of the responsibility she carries. A really telling portrait with a lot of beauty. -PJB

I'm a big fan of a job well done. This portrait could've been taken on any camera and would tell the same story. The fact it was taken on an old iPod dilutes absolutely nothing, so don't believe the hype about tools. It also happens to be an absolutely gorgeous photograph that could be on the wall of any gallery. Really impressed. -PJB

There is a certain cheekiness to this shot that first made me stop and look. He has the look of a naughty school boy, I thought. After reading the back story I can now understand the look in his eyes more, its mischief! The photographer has done a great job of showing us who this person is. The environment also adds to the feel of who this person is and the colours come together to make a lovely portrait. Well done. -PJB

This portrait should convey similar feelings in anyone who looks at it. Familiar feelings of our own experiences of moments no different than this. It goes to show how connected we are, wherever we are from and tells a great story. I get a great impression of this persons personality and what she's conveying and the photographer has come away with a fantastic portrait. Good job. -PJB

A personal favourite from over two thousand portraits that were entered. In the same way that a sculpture will omit limbs or details to draw focus on the important, so too does this image. It's all in the eyes. The image is open to interpretation from the viewer as to the details but it's a strong photograph. -PJB

Such a lovely portrait. Makes me want to sit down for story time. I like the humour in her face, too. The photographer has done a good job of showing us the personality of the subject and come away with an image with great texture, too. -PJB

Kind of looks like a movie set, but then a lot does in this part of the world. The light is beautiful and makes it all feel a bit like a painting. If truly candid, this gentleman's personality is really shining through. I'd like to have seen this down a couple of stops, almost underexposed, but that's just me. A wonderful portrait. -PJB

It's not just eyes and faces that tell stories with portraiture. Hard working hands, scrapes and bruises, dust and signs of toil, all these details add up to give dialogue to a photograph. This image lends itself well to the brief and is stunning, to boot. Amazing pallet. -PJB

What's not to love about this image. It tells a life story. Technically it's a little lacking but it's a strong portrait with a lot to say. Thats what sets photographs apart. Ive seen so many technical studio set-ups in this category but few had any personality or told me anything of the person, facsimiles if you will. Good job, brief achieved. -PJB

I really wanted this image in my top ten but I just plain ran out of room! They say you'll never work a day in your life if you have a job you love. Thats what this portrait says to me. I'm also fairly sure he knows some great jokes. Nicely done. -PJB