SSA_027_TODDY

HONOURS This is an engaging image. The subject is sharp and I formed the impression that Toddy is a farmer, or someone who earns a living from the land. Possibly the hat, ruddy face and stick have helped me to come to this conclusion. The background is neatly blurred and unobtrusive. I feel this is a person who says what he means and means what he says! A likeable rogue maybe. I think the author has delivered a technically competent image. Well done.

SSN_094_COBY

MERIT A very natural expression captured in a high-key way which I find to be very complementary. The eyes are sharp and the expression provides the viewer with additional information relative to Coby’s current apparently happy situation. I suggest that you might like to consider lightening the pupil of the child’s right eye by a fraction. I know that what I’m seeing is natural and yet the left eye is dominantly bright and there seems to be conflict between the two. Having said that, what parent is going to be unhappy with this image.

SSN_113_FOCUSSED

MERIT This studio portrait has been well produced. The key light is providing good contrast to the man’s right cheek and eye. A fill light or reflector is providing just enough information for us to see into the darker side of the face. I feel the image would be improved if there was more contrast added in post production. The image is sharp throughout and there is a sense of determination about the expression captured by the Author.

SSA_026_A sports portrait

HONOURS I’m guessing this is Mary Bray. She is certainly riding competitively and this is born-out the racing attire and recent mud splashes about her face and body. The inclusion of a water tube and backpack suggests this may be a long distance or endurance race. The lady certainly seems to be cycling hard out. The lighting is good as is the composition. If you are anything like me, I get really frustrated when competitors decide to wear reflective googles. It may help them but it so tends to spoil this kind of shot. Notwithstanding Notwithstanding that, this image says all you need to know about the person and her sport.

SSA_090_SHYANA'S SMILE

MERIT This is a very natural looking portrait. The chosen depth of field has rendered the background to be neatly blurred whilst retaining great detail in the face and scarf. The makeup helps to create a glamorous style of portrait eradicating any blemishes which may have been present. The eyes need to be just a tad sharper in my view to make the image pop. There seems to be a good, relaxed rapport with the photographer.

SSA_097_TESSA

MERIT There is a dreamy quality to the expression within Tessa’s face as she looks outwards from the image. It is not unpleasant and her skin appears to be fine and gentle. There is a relaxed feel about the pose. I do find the dark clad knee and the hat to be distracting. I recommend that you consider cropping them out. Simultaneously, take a small crop from the left. I feel the reduced composition will enhance the beauty within the frame. Exposure is good.

SSA_080_Forlorn

HONOURS The author has projected his or her own style onto this image. The initial portrait has been competently acquired. The hair, dress and backdrop all complement the end result. The layers containing scratches and other textures seem appropriate [and yet others word pay a price to have those things removed from old photographs!] I think the girl’s expression does evoke a feeling of pity and sadness yet the pose is very appealing. I am a little distracted by the edge detail and wonder if this was less prevalent on the right a better outcome would be achieved. Nevertheless, this image scores an Honours.

SSB_021_WILLIAM AND HIS FAVOURITE HAT

MERIT I feel as if this chap is staring me in the face and I want to take a pace backwards to provide a little separation. William is a great subject and the well-worn hat really seems to be apart of his everyday life. What a pity that it has been cropped by the frame. I wonder if there is a little more of the hat on the original image which could be included. Or possible on a subsequent photo taken at the same time. There is good separation between the subject and the background and every detail seems very sharp. I recommend reducing the highlights on the left hand side of his beard which, being lighter, draw the viewer away from the eyes. This chaps personality also shine through the image.

SSN_111_THINKING

MERIT This studio portrait has been well produced. The key light is providing good contrast to the man’s right cheek and eye. A fill light or reflector is providing just enough information for us to see into the darker side of the face. I feel the image would be improved if there was more contrast added in post production. The image is sharp throughout and there is a sense of determination about the expression captured by the Author.

SSN_114_Portrait of a storyteller

ACCEPTABLE This is a very competent piece of work. The monochrome treatment is effective which was a deliberate choice made by the author. Unfortunately, there is nothing within the image to reflect the title. I am told this man is a storyteller. That information is not apparent from the image alone. I feel you need to have included a pen or pencil, a note book, or may be a desk with writing materials nearby or a reading lamp with a book table etc. Just some additional element which would tell the story within the image itself and would lead the viewer to the obvious conclusion. The side lighting is effective and very masculine. Whilst there is sharpness to the left hand side of the face and collar, the remainder of the image is a little soft. The fact that you have chosen not to place a border around the image has worked successfully on this occasion because the back background blends seamlessly with the projection screen. Many images benefit from such a border but this one I felt worked well without.

SSA_064_SELF#65

MERIT Whoa! I was not expecting this. I get an immediate impression of impending doom and gloom from this image. There has been a significant amount of post production work which has distorted the image into a fantasy of future or past humans. In my view the darkened eyes, distorted nose and mouth, apparent scaring and the impression of a second human form adjacent to the man’s left cheek, present the viewer with complications not normally associated with a portrait. I feel the author is pushing accepted boundaries beyond their normal limits. Whilst this is a good thing, and one not to be discouraged, I do feel in this case that the image might be better placed in a creative or experimental category. There is little doubt that the basis of the image is of a human form and therefore, arguably a ‘portrait’. However, the post production work is considerable and in my view moves the image into another genre.

SSB_071_TIJN

HONOURS The warm tones of this image are very complementary to the baby. I can almost hear the photographer [or the parents] uttering uninterpretable words of baby language to encourage this cutie to react and smile. The eyes are beautifully lit. They are sharp and to me, reveal contentment. The bubbles are natural and seem to add another element to the story. The crop is considered; bold; and deliberate. A most enjoyable portrait.

SSA_092_Self Portrait

MERIT In one way I find this to be quite a compelling portrait. Maybe this is due to the very deliberate eye contact which the author has set up. I can’t help but wonder if this is the ‘real’ lady, or if this is the persona which the author wishes the viewers to see. I am reminded of the British TV character, Emma Peel, played by Diana Rigg in the TV spy series The Avengers. The resemblance is quite strong in my opinion. Lighting has been well used so that details of the eyes are retained under the shadow of the hat. The background is a little intrusive and I would consider the possibility of taking a crop from the right to breakup the central positioning. Overall quite an intriguing portrait.

SSB_095_ARCHIE

MERIT This image makes me feel that I need to smile back at Archie. His expression is well captured and is quite infectious. There is a good rapport with the photographer which undoubtedly shows within the image. Composition and exposure are good, however the facial lighting is a little soft. Perhaps you might try adding a little contrast to this area in post production. The background is unobtrusive and I feel the hoody adds to the charm of this character.