Help! Is this portrait that good?

Came across the news:
http://www.bjp-online.com/british-journal-of-photography/news/2306586/spencer-mu...

For me, it is just ordinary, and I can't figure out why it won the prize? Any one can help?

Maybe it's the down to earth look. But it's not to my taste.

My answer is yes.

It's a very timeless sort of portrait and I like the direct, confident but utterly weary look that has been captured.

It's unfettered by any other intrusions and it is a powerful portrait. Try looking at it for a while and see the deep sadness of exhaustion in those eyes.

Just my opinion, If you look at this portrait for some time and look at it closely its hidden aspects become more apparent

The portrait convey's both femininity and the toughness in a very honest way, her look is also powerful in a subtle way.

I would like to have seen to other images as I guess the standard would have been vey high. Judging any photograph is a subjective thing, but i do think there is more to this image than than first meets the eye.

John, what does "timeless" mean in photography? Retro film pictures?

This was also mentioned in that news "I chose to shoot the series on large format film, to give the images a depth and timelessness that I think would have been hard to achieve on a digital camera."

I just didn't get it...

Timeless in this context means something that lasts, something that could belong to any time period, something that transcends mere fashion.

it's the composition that spoils it for me! A busy, "contextual" background or a completely plain background I can see, but the split across the shoulders doesn't help, and the positioning of the head doesn't work for me. The expression is superbly captured though, pained yet thoughtful, conveying a depth of feeling that is very difficult to portray.

...Just my opinion....

p.s. - I can't take a good portrait for toffee!

Nope!

Still ... must be hope for me yet

The more I looked at it, the more I liked it.

However, I do agree with LennyBloke, I don't like the 'split'across the background as my eye keeps being drawn to it.

Phil

I like it, I don't like the dead space above her head. I like the 'EASY' on the collar, ironic really, seeing as how being a jockey is probably not!

Was it taken at a police station

Given the model and the probable location, I'd be amazed if a dozen or more of the photographers who use this site and who (unlike me) make something of a speciality of portraits, couldn't come up with something more memorable and telling.

That was my thoughts when I looked at it

I think it is a stunning portrait. It captures so much emotion, so many contrasts. The more I look at it the more I see.

It also makes a nice change to have a 'warts and all"portrait of a woman.


Probably in the changing room or weighing room.

You can see the other prize winners here. If you click on the home button you can see some of the other entries too.