Editors' Picks: Portrait Photography

This is a great collection. In furtherance of the learning goals of many of the community, would the editors be able / willing to add a brief comment to each selection, indicating what about each photo made it catch their eye(s)? I guess the question might be "What does this portrait do that is right / unique?" It would also be cool to see the exif details about each shot displayed next to the photo for easy comparison.

Even without this stuff, though, this is a neat collection and gives me some good food-for-thought.

Thanks!

Great choices, thanks!

Stunning stuff,for me A Hunts image is awe inspiring,Congrats on your selection,regards BR

A technically perfect image that leaves me wondering what the photographer is trying to say. Is it that the model has been dipping in a bucket of caviar with one hand and cleaning the chimney with the other or what is the point of this otherwise perfect picture?

In answer to Julian's question... "A technically perfect image that leaves me wondering what the photographer is trying to say. Is it that the model has been dipping in a bucket of caviar with one hand and cleaning the chimney with the other or what is the point of this otherwise perfect picture?"... The answer is obvious... "Art". You noticed that photograph right? What made you notice it? It stands out as a statement showing contrasts - contrasts in texture & tone and between the beautiful and the grotesque. How many millions of pretty photographs do you think are taken each year of stunning models? If you've seen one, you've pretty well seen them all. To get an edge as a photographer you have to look toward creativity, otherwise you are just another one of the millions clicking away out there. I think this is a stunning image... good choice to be included here. Pat.

PS - I forgot to add in my last comment that I think the "point" of the picture in question may be to depict 'Indulgence' or 'desire' - would be nice to hear the actual photographer's interpretation... anyhow, that is what the picture says to me.

Jacqueline, someone, anyone, pls. reveal how to capture the ethereal look of photo 'The Feather'...is it obtained with particular/camera/lens/film? (I use either Hasselblad or NikonD80) printing? or photoshop? or is the pale, washed out look obtained by shooting blk/wht and hand tinting? I am so interested in capturing this look but know not where to begin. thanks to anyone offering advice....~beverly~ p.s. have yet to 'learn' photoshop www.beverlyhallphotography.com beverlysuehall@hotmail.com

There is something in several portraits that make me wonder about feelings, thoughts, customs, and many subjects related to life. When you make a portrait whit the allowance of the person you are shooting, there is something very strange that seems to figure the image that is going to emerge from the celluloid. There is a huge distance between shooting an object than a mind, when you make a portrait you are showing a mind that is interacting with yours. In that moment you are trying to construct an image of that mind that you have in front of you; however, the human being that is in front of the camera shows you what he thinks he looks like. It's very difficult to answer some questions about portraiture, perhaps it would be interesting to begin with these ones, Why do we make portraits? How do we make portraits? And for whom? Perhaps you think these are dull questions; however, I would like to challenge you to answer them. I make portraits; in the last two years I began a series of portraits that became an obsession, when I see this selection of portraits I doubt about the possibility of showing mines in a similar selection, there is something different I can't describe. 03:05 a.m. Buenos Aires, Argentina, South America.

Awesome and excellent portrait's 'r selected and all my Congrat's for all of them...! Naseer