Taylor Wessing portrait prize 2010

[perkeleellinen]

The European Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2010 award was recently announced and it was nice to see the winning photo was shot on film. Now the Taylor Wessing portrait prize has been announced and what a surprise - the winner shot it on film (160VC + Mamiya 7). I'm seeing a trend...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/nov/09/taylor-wedding-photographic-portrait-prize
Dead Link Removed

 

[SuzanneR]

That's a great portrait!! I'm surprised it won... so many of the portraits on that site feel so sad and lonely!

 

[David A. Goldfarb]

That is a remarkable portrait.

 

[Andrew Horodysky]

A very good portrait.

In the article, Chancellor mentions the desire to be "detached" from his subjects. I guess, on some, level, it's possible. But, when working with bigger concepts, the intellectual -- if, not emotional -- involvement, and confrontation, is ever-present.

With this particular subject, questions of race and class have to come into play, as well: a 14-year old, red-headed white girl from Alabama on a game hunting trip to South Africa. This isn't your typical family trip to Disney World. She seems to be in a pose of superiority sitting upon her mount, displaying her trophy, with a neutral expression.

I'm not sure I buy the "detachment" approach. The image is clearly very handsomely produced, and in my mind, becomes a trophy in itself, of sorts.

 

[mabman]

Taking a look through the shortlisted pics, the "Childhood Obesity" entry was also shot on film (from the description).

 

[Snapper]

... and the second prize looks like it was shot on film with a Hasselblad.

This exhibition is always well worth a look, regardless what it is shot on. I'll be down there next week.

 

[Snapper]

Oh, and the 3rd prize too - shot on 4x5. Who says film is dead?

 

[perkeleellinen]

I think I'm going to be able to squeeze in a quick visit on the way back from France next month.