National Portrait Prize

Rowan McNamara by Mark Rogers

I liked this portrait the best out of the competition for a number of reasons. Firstly, I love the subject, I believe it has emotion behind it and although the boy could just be playing, it makes you wonder if he needs the wheelchair. I also love the headlights in the background, it helps add some spookiness and works nicely with the lighting in the window. The head is perfectly placed between these two light sources, which help frame the picture. The negative space at the top of the frame adds to the aesthetic qualities of this portrait.

Paddy Man by David Van Royen

This was my least favourite portrait as I feel it lacks composition, tonal range and interest. The subject itself is rather boring, and has no real interesting qualities to it. The photograph is very dull, and the colours lack impact and depth, and I don't feel any real meaning behind this portrait.