GALLERIES

Before i went traveling at the start of the year i went to the Nation Portrait Gallery to look at the Taylor Wessing, Photographic Portrait Prize 2010. 

THE EXHIBITION

The Taylor Wessinf Photographic Portrait Prize 2010 presents the very best in contemporary portrait photography, showcasing the work of talented young photographers and gifted amateurs alongside that of established professionals and photography students.

The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2010 presents the vesry best in

spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family.

Through editorial, advertising and fine art images, the entrants have explored a range of themes, styles and approaches to the contemporary photographic portrait, from formal commissioned portraits to more spontaneous and intimate moments capturing friends and family.

What makes a good portrait

Portraits grapple with what it means to be an individual. Each images is a one-off version of a highly personal negotiation between identity and representation. 'Beauty' and 'good' are elastic concepts. You or i will see not only with our eyes, but with all that we are and all that our culture is. These portraits deserve our attention because they applaud our infinite variety.

third prize- jeffrey stockbridge

TIC TAC AND TOOTSIE 

(TWIN SISTERS CARROLL AND SHELLY MCKEAN) 

FROM THE SERIES NOWHERE BUT HERE

The streets of Philadelphia have provided the primary source of inspiration for American photographer Jeffery Stockbridge. The bulk of his work has catalogued drug addiction, prostitution and urban decay. His portrait comes from a series-in-progress Nowhere But Here and depicts twin sisters, who at nineteen were kicked out of their home by their brother and had been living on the streets for a year when stockbridge met them, while scouting subjects in the socially deprived Kensington district. Both had turned to prostitution and were using prescription drugs to help dull the pain of their difficult lives. The 4x5 negative allows him to make large-format colour prints, which he believes in necessary to convey the breath and intensity of his subject matter.

This image was my favourite from the winners, i was drawn to both of their expressions and also the simplicity of the image, how there is nothing to really distract you away from what the photographer wants you to focus on.

FELIX CARPIO

WAFA

FROM THE SERIES SYRIA

  

KURT HIERBST

TAGAR, 30, WITH THIS THREE DAUGHTERS: ASA, DITI, PRYA

FROM THE SERIES BIDESHI PHOTOSTUDIO

 

BACK OF GIRL

FROM THE SERIES STUDY SKIN

MARCIA MICAEL

THESE ARE SOME MORE OF MY FAVOURITE IMAGES TAKE FROM THE SHOW.