UKH

A rare non-gear-related post. 

I visited the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in late November and although this one didn't win anything, it was by far my favourite, it seems to say a lot all at the same time, without actually trying to guide the viewer's thoughts. 

What do you think?

http://alinesmithson.com/finalist-in-the-2019-taylor-wessing-photographic-p...

It is a portrait of the photographer's 16-year-old daughter who is a big fan of Shaquille O'Neal (apparently he is a funny celebrity in his own right, way beyond his basketball fame of decades ago). I love it, there's a spontaneity, a celebration, a joy, and no preachy message like a lot of them had (many were more "photojournalism" than portraiture). If there is any message there it's simply that this girl doesn't mind her mum submitting a photo that shows a lot of pasty bare leg, and good for her. But I am already speculating. 
It's amusing that the subject of the photo is kind of unseen .

Just exploring the photographer's website...this is a lovely thing

http://alinesmithson.com/portfolios/people-i-dont-know/

Amusing for some, confusing for others.  Kind of reassuring that it didn't win much of anything ( apart from your approval, of course.)

I thought  it clever.  I'd prefer them to have a larger phone screen, but that's trivial 

I just find it kind of annoying. Each to their own though.......

When B S asks "What do you think ?" I usually answer as honestly as I can.

I doubt he expected widespread approval of his choice, rather the opposite if anything.

Well this went well. 

Really not my bag, I’ve had a google for the exhibits and none of the ones I’ve seen excite me much. My gut reaction is that they’re less about the subject than the photographer.

I thought the photo was terrible. Seemed similar to a lot of conceptual art, without the concept being explained, it was meaningless, just a snapshot.

I tend to prefer portraits which show the subject who is nominally portrayed, usually face or head and shoulders.

Probably no fan of the third-prize winner either then (though it does sort of show a face and various shoulders, I suppose)

https://www.garrodkirkwood.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ENGLAND_CORTINA-2...

edit - staged, not a snapshot

Not much in terms of portraiture but  much much better photo than first or second placed entries.