Visit to Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2011

Favourite Images From the Competition

I recently visited the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2011 at The National Portrait Gallery.  The standard was once again very high.  I have shown below some of my favourite images from the competition this year:

"Kiera Knightley" by Michael Birt.

This is an exceptionally good portrait of this much photographed actress.  I particularly liked the seemingly simple lighting.  It almost looks like light from a window but is probably shot in the studio.  The dark background adds to the classic look of the photograph.

"Tatiana and Belene" by Yann Gross.

This is an interesting image where the llama is the most prominent part of the composition.  The model appears to be wearing products made from the wool of the llama.  This ties the two together.

"Harriet and Gentleman Jack" by Jooney Woodward.

This is a very subtle image where the colours of the girl's hair and the fur of the guinea pig match closely.  It also helps that the girl's finger nails are painted red.  The white coat helps to simplify the image.

"Wen" by Jasper Clarke.

This photograph is a good example of a contextual portrait.  The artist is shown in her studio surrounded by some of her work.  The artist appears relaxed and confident in her surroundings.

"Dolly Parton" by Zed Nelson.

This is an image of the much photographed Country and Western singer Dolly Parton.  The composition places her in an hotel room.  She is surrounded by very feminine furnishings in contrast to her stage clothes.