National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018

One theme in the NPPP 2018 is migration and several
portraits explore multicultural identity in relation to the world. 

This pared back portrait centres on a moment of self-awareness as the subject relaxes in a place that is simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar.

Describe the subject’s expression and body language.

How do you think he feels in this place?

This portrait is of the photographer’s daughter.

Consider the different relationships in this portrait: such as between subject and photographer, and between subject and those sharing her physical and virtual space.

How do you think your parents would describe what is going on in this picture?

Would it differ from the way you would describe it?

Notice the horizontal lines that make up the composition.

How has the photographer used colour and design to layer the space?

The context of the photograph (in the subject’s studio) provides a personal insight.

Describe the subject’s body language.

How does the mood of the portrait make you feel?

Joey takes a moment to
relax at the local waterhole after a long day working in a remote community in
the Central Desert Region, Australia.

Describe the atmosphere and tone of the photograph.

What are the elements that contribute to your reading of the portrait?

The composition of Stephanie Simcox’s portrait of Joey is reminiscent of this famous painting of 'Ophelia' by Sir John Everett Millais.

However, the mood and context of the two portraits is very different.

Compare and contrast these two portraits.

I was thinking of Sandro Botticelli and I was thinking of Rineke Dijkstra. But mostly I was thinking of this girl on the beach in Frankston, and how she’s beautiful and radiant.

Describe the subject’s pose and body language.

In her statement, Emma Phillips refers to the work of contemporary Dutch photographer, Rineke Dijkstra.

Discuss ideas of ‘beauty’ in relation to this portrait.

In the NPPP 2018, photographers have employed a range of
different digital and analogue techniques to achieve their desired effect.

This photograph was produced by superimposing two images to create one multidimensional composition, a process called double-exposure.

Look at the different layers and the elements that are in or out of focus.

David Rosetzky's artist statement:

This portrait of champion Australian ballroom dancer Lyu Masuda is from my ongoing series of analogue, black and white, double-exposure photographs taken with a 35mm film camera. Working with this technique enables me to combine one image with another in a way that I cannot completely anticipate. It is precisely the random nature of this process that holds particular interest for me – with its inherent misalignments and compositions created through chance. I have worked with portraiture for many years, and have recently made a number of photographs that incorporate images of flowers with individuals from the LGBTQI community.

Reflecting on this statement;

What does the photographer mean by the random nature of this process?

How would you approach making a double-exposed photograph?

Here is an early photographic technique called tintype. 

Can you find examples of other photographic techniques from NPPP 2018?

NPPP 2018 finalists

Portraits can capture a range of emotions that the subject is experiencing and projecting to viewers.

In this self-portrait the photographer is looking at herself. The subject appears both strong and vulnerable.

Which aspects of her pose and expression suggest each of these conditions?

This portrait is also about vulnerability and strength. 

How is this expressed?