EDITORS’ PICK
The Questions Behind the Face
PORTRAITS
PORTRAITS EDITORS’ PICK
Following Todd Antony’s selection of winning images for our recent Portraits competition, this compilation of 20 images represents some of the other talented photographers whose work struck us and left a mark. Each a stunning image worthy of exposure and attention…
When selecting for editor’s picks we’re always searching for those striking photographs that make for an unforgettable single image, whether from a broader series or not. We enjoy the accompanying text some photographers submit with their images, and while not always necessary it can be relevant when understanding the work in full context.
These are intended to be a conversation starter… so feel free to join the discussion on our social networks.
BANNER IMAGE: CHRISTIAN HEYMANN
Human relationships are never easy. This double portrait is touching and makes one think about their own experiences. The mother’s face is a mix of feelings that can only be described from a subjective perspective. Her hands reach out for the son she might think she’s lost. The fact that he is not facing her is heartbreaking. The minimalist composition and the implied movement of their arms emphasize the struggle and create a dramatic effect. One can hardly believe this is a still image. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Torn Longing from the series Detached. In adulthood, estrangement is a nightmare for both parents and children, arising either out of necessity or desperation. There are myriad reasons for this: divorce, new partners, or a death in the family. Statistical data shows that only half of these estrangements are eventually reconciled, with the mechanisms of reconciliation remaining largely unverified. My mother and I are estranged, both physically and emotionally. She, a former dancer from South America, resides in the rural province of Saarland and is deeply religious; I live in Hamburg and am not religious.
My parents divorced when I was 15, and I stayed with my alcoholic father. She left Hamburg with her new partner. When my father passed away, it left a great void and many unanswered questions. My mother was too far away by then to offer much assistance. Years passed, and our relationship grew quieter; phone calls became brief, and the idea of meeting was scarcely mentioned. Now, my partner is expecting our first child, and I wonder what the future holds for us. This is an attempt to reclaim what has been lost.
EDWARD AMSTERDAM
The photographer focuses on grace and artistic expression by using the model’s features and the décor in artful combination. Soft lines and natural colors complete the atmosphere. Although the model’s pose is not a usual one, the ease with which she seemingly holds it makes it beautiful and in total harmony with her inner expression. The portrait provides a sensorial experience through light, texture, and movement. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – I make portraits of people who aspire to make a living in the world of art as a creator or performing artist. I prefer to work with available light. Natural light feels atmospheric and genuine, changes from hard to soft, from cool to warm and forces you to surrender to the circumstances. This creates the necessary freedom to quietly search for the essence of the subject without preconceived plans and burdensome expectations. Freedom and trust are preconditions for true and pure images that tempt the viewer to delve into the world of those portrayed. I prefer sober minimalist images where the tension arises in the contrasts between light and dark, sharpness and blur, silence and movement, introverted and extroverted expressions, between what was and what is to come…
SANDIIA
The photograph presents a beautiful metamorphosis, very similar to a butterfly’s transformation, abstractly and artfully. The strong choice of colors, the vivid contrast between warm skin tones and vibrant shades of blue, and the graphical and dynamic composition create a glamorous appearance. Clearly, the photographer has a strong sense of style and a very personal artistic voice. Perhaps the framing could have been a little less close to avoid the cropping of the elbow, and give some negative space around the hair, but it’s a minor point. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – This portrait is from a photo series called Kiind of Moth. It’s an improvised fashion story inspired by a trip to the Peruvian amazon where I studied moths/ butterflies for a day. This photo represents Stage 4, which in this story is once the moth has broken out of its incasing to it’s first baby wings and interaction with nature. The bird is a symbol for nature.
Kiind of Moth draws a parallel between the transformative journey of life and the metamorphosis of a moth/butterfly. Each phase and experience contributes uniquely to shaping who you are meant to become, emphasizing that every step is significant and necessary, regardless of how challenging or uncomfortable it may seem at the time. Embrace discomfort as a catalyst for personal growth and understanding that obstacles are not barriers but opportunities for development. When moths break out of their shell, they have to pump hemolymph (insect blood) from their abdomen to inflate their baby wings as they’re not strong enough at first. This takes time, but most importantly you are already equipped with the patience to strengthen them.The process is necessary to exercise the tools you have. But again, you have always had. The process might take hours, weeks, years, but you can trust that in due time you learn to fly, or break free. Only then will you understand personal freedom and fulfillment. Your potential is limitless when you understand yourself.
KUBA ŚWIETLIK
A minimalist full-body portrait needs a clever composition to impress. The photographer chose an interesting pose that communicates the model’s attitude, making the viewer curious to know more. The business attire and the smooth beige background, the unnatural incline of the human body, all speak about identity, (non-)conformity, and authenticity. A powerful combination that creates a lot of intrigue. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Portrait of Grego.
SALLY DAVIES
The photographer succeeds in a colorful reproduction of a classic portrait, filling the frame with details and visual elements that keep the viewer engaged. The stylized approach showcases the subject’s passion for art, her exuberant lifestyle, and her predilection for beauty. Images that give an insight into home life are often interesting, but this one particularly so. A rich fairytale unravels in front of the viewer, and the main subject of the photo takes the role of the princess. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Marina Press Granger photographed with her dog Odette at her home in the East Village on August 19, 2019. Marina was born in 1984 in Kiev, Ukraine. She was the only child for Lilly and was raised by her mother’s parents Serafima and Vladimir. Grampa served in World War II and was an oral surgeon. Gramma taught Russian literature and Mom was a biologist. Gramma and Mom took Marinato lots of museums in the Ukraine and St. Petersburg when she was little. In 1991, as the Soviet Union was crumbling, they moved to Midland, Brooklyn, in search of a better life. Grampa washed dishes to support everyone when they got here. Marina attended the same elementary school as Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She studied ballet for ten years, but wanted to be a shrink or an art curator when she grew up. She got a degree in art history at college and has been working in the New York City art business ever since. She left Brooklyn for Manhattan in 2011. Marina got married to Andrew Granger and they moved into this apartment together, where they live still.
TYLER BENSINGER
Symmetrical, appealing, and fun, this double portrait is catchy and joyful. There is a good sense of space and contrast, a pleasant color palette, and a happy atmosphere that passes through the screen (or print). The lighting is exquisite. The faces are bright, and the hair shines, complementing the subjects’ moods and personalities. A nice communication has been established between the photographer and models. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Taken in Los Angeles.
JERRY CORDEIRO
The photographer captures the cry for help in a compassionate and considered composition. The subject’s features stand out, his blue glance dominating the frame. Photographing the homeless is a challenging, sometimes controversial pursuit, but there is nothing but kindness in the way the photographer created this picture – both the image and the accompanying statement revealing the intention. The soft light denotes hope, the close perspective denotes care. The dialog between photographer and subject is evident, with photography the tool to record and share it with the viewer. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Souls of the Street. Through the lens of my camera, I have the privilege of capturing the soulful stories of those who society has forgotten – the marginalized, the disadvantaged, and the homeless. My art serves as a powerful tool to shed light on the pressing issues of mental health and social inequality that plague our community. As an artist based in Edmonton, I am dedicated to using my craft to ignite change and inspire compassion for those who suffer in silence. With each click of my camera, I aim to provoke introspection and ignite a sense of urgency to address these crucial issues. Let my images serve as a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. I am Jerry Cordeiro, and my lens is my voice for the voiceless…A timeless reminder that we must remember those so easily forgotten by society.
STEVEN RAGO
What captures the viewer’s attention in this photograph is the complicated composition with multiple visual layers. The man is the main character and focal point due to the clever positioning of the hammock in the frame. However, other elements emerge and complete the story. A rooster, a busy background, bricks, a glimpse of nature. They all contribute to the narrative of this man, and, thanks to them, the viewer is eager to know more. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – At a brick making plant on the Mekong River outside Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a laborer takes a midday break.
BENIZI SANTAMARIA
A dynamic family portrait that showcases the many relationships between generations. The composition is fluid, one can almost feel the air moving because of hand and arm gestures. There is love in this photograph even if the background shows the challenging environment in which they are living. There is also light and color and laughter, the wisdom of the elderly, and the exuberance of youth. Overall, the photograph denotes harmony in all aspects, humanly and compositionally. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Generations, taken in Jakarta.
DELPHINE BLAST
The photographer has captured the fierce determination of a young woman to become a boxer. While a female boxer is not something one often sees in her country of origin, this young woman’s commitment is obvious in her portrait. The color contrast created with the digital overlay boosts the photo’s energy, while the woman’s pose conveys courage and strength. She has an undeniable force, and the photographer did a good job capturing her attitude. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – In Tanzania, boxing has been steadily gaining popularity, yet until recently, it was a sport devoid of female representation. However, more and more young Tanzanian women are taking up boxing and dreaming of making it their career. Warda, 18, is one of the youngest female boxers in her country. She aspires to become a professional. She trains diligently six days a week at a club in a working-class neighborhood in the south of Dar es Salaam.
FRANCES BRUCHEZ
A striking portrait of an indigenous man, this photo impresses through the artistic use of color and contrast. The man fills the frame, standing tall in the sunset, wearing what his ancestors wore before him. The traditional outfit, the body covered in ash and chalk, and the decisive glance speak for themselves. The photographer took time to engage with the subject and didn’t force anything on him, which resulted in a documentary-style portrait that contains a deep truth. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – In South Sudan and Ethiopia’s Omo Valley, many indigenous people use ash and chalk for both decoration and protection. Ash is applied to their faces and bodies to protect against the sun and insect bites, while chalk, collected from riverbeds and mixed with water, is used to paint and adorn their skin.
TUNA ANGEL
The portrait offers a cinematic experience due to the dramatic contrast and dark background. With a strong focal point, the photograph makes clear who is the main character. Still, it leaves the door open for interpretation. There are silhouettes in the background. There is a forgotten water bottle that catches the eye. A lot happens in this picture just like one can see in an artistic movie. There’s little that’s conventional about this portrait but plenty of artistry. – LIFE FRAMER
CHRIS ELFES
This candid portrait in black and white is so rhythmic and fluid that one can almost hear the vinyard’s sounds. The young man takes in the moment, watching mindfully how the grapes flow, his face almost hidden in the luxuriant landscape. It’s a rich image that stays with you, immersing you not only in the activity but in the man’s thoughts and mood as well. It’s mesmerizing in its simplicity. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Winemaking in Australia.
COSTANZA ROSSI
The portrait shows an outstanding understanding of light and color. The combination of light and shadow, the splashes of color, and the fluidity of fabric create a well-balanced composition. The determination and resilience one can read on the woman’s face transform this portrait into a life-long narrative. Moreover, there is something about that warm, golden light that makes you want to look at this picture for a long time. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Woman fixing a yellow fishnet in Central Vietnam. This picture is taken at sunrise in the intimacy of the woman’s house. the natural sunlight penetrating through the window created these wonderful yellow shades.
ANNE NOBELS
An anti-portrait is artistically challenging. However, the photographer uses the spiderweb creatively to help the viewer focus on the character’s soul rather than their physical aspect. The photo is a story about struggles, identity search, and a personal journey that takes us to unexpected places. We seek clarity, but that’s never easy to find. The spiderweb is the perfect metaphor for this continuous search. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – As an ADHD’er I’m always struggling to find focus. Yet when I’ve found it, nothing can stop me. Everything else just fades.
ANDREAS BLECKMANN
Natural, simple, and mundane, the portrait documents an ordinary day in the life of a worker. Although shot outside the controlled environment of a studio, this candid photograph manages to single out its subject and make him stand out. The earthy color palette improves the composition, creating a perfect match between the background and subject. There is a symmetry here that can’t be ignored. Man and object in perfect balance. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – These photographs are shot with natural light, in square format which for me is the perfect proportion to show the subject and just enough of this varied remarkable and often unruly environment. It is an in-depth series of portraits recording the people I encounter in and around Rock-a-Nore Road. No Longer than 500 meters, this short strip of land occupies Britain’s oldest and largest fishing harbour as well as being a popular tourist destination. Flanked by distinctive black fishing huts, the road ends with a dramatic cliff-faced rocky beach that wraps around the southern coastline of East Sussex.
KERRIE BUROW
An artistic black and white underwater portrait that the viewer won’t easily forget. The mesmerizing eyes of the girl and the swirling and turning of her hair create an Alice in Wonderland effect. The photographer utilizes the space well, adds drama through contrast, and infuses the frame with innocence and peacefulness. It feels both meticulously planned and effortlessly serendipitous, and it’s truly impressive for it. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Sarah’s Underwater World: Taken a year into the Coronavirus pandemic, my 7-year-old niece Sarah stares with wonder into my housing dome while on one breath underwater. Being in, on and under water provided solace and peace to so many during those years.
GLORIA OYARZABAL
This colorful composition incorporates multiple visual layers. The eye moves from one to another and discovers a modern reinterpretation of classical art, archeological references, and cultural symbols. It’s a potpourri of textures and patterns, a carefully curated frame in which nothing is left to chance. The small painting in the background expands the space, adding depth, but is also a smartly positioned detail that connects otherwise disparate visual elements. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – In Roman law, ownership was defined as the absolute full enjoyment over an object or corporeal entity. The USUS was the right that the holder had to make use of the object according to its destination or nature, FRUCTUS was the right to receive the fruits, ABUSUS was the right of disposition based on the power to modify, sell or destroy the object or given entity. Property was perpetual, absolute and exclusive. Questions of spoliation, hegemonic narratives, race and gender are addressed based on the concept of ownership.
Museums originated as institutions more than 300 years ago, when certain royal collections were made accessible to the great public. They would hence become instrumental tools in the construction of identity and the definition of Nation. And bearing in mind the outstanding colonialist origin of many of their collections, then conflict with History narrative, the creation of knowledge and, consequently, collective and individual memory, becomes unavoidable.
A revision of the relationship between anthropology and museum collections assembled from a despoiling colonial past, its historicity and historiography, justified by a quest for discovery – almost always legitimated through a “rescuing” spirit -, leads to the conclusion that for decades these spaces have reinforced exotism and distinction, intrinsically related to supremacist discourses. Museums as creators of imaginaries, as institutions that aren’t and have never been neutral holders, yet have benefited from exhibited objects and artefacts. They are a powerful tool for instilling respect, changing prejudices and revising History. Or dangerously the opposite. Is the concept of museum universal? Let’s look behind the curtain. Untie to tie.
HORATIO BALTZ
The photographer creates a clash of visual elements to symbolize the intersection of cultures and its impact on human identity. The image is visually striking due to multiple types of contrast. Color contrast captures the viewer’s attention, while conceptual contrast keeps the viewer engaged and provides food for thought. The unusual angle is well-used to fuel the lyricism of the picture. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – From a series of images from various Vietnamese-American communities throughout the United States. Through portraiture, landscapes, and poetic imagery, I explore broader themes of home, displacement, resettlement, cultural hybridity, and the evolving relationship between Vietnamese-Americans and their adopted country. This project seeks to visually articulate this hyphenated identity, exploring the intersection of where Vietnam ends and America begins.
SOFIA NATOLI
The photographer uses light and shadow to create movement and lead the viewer through the frame. The model’s eyes, the focal point of the photograph, are bright and telling, a true window of the soul. There are also interesting mixes of fabrics and textures, subtle color accents, and implied gestures as if the model emerges from the darkness into the light. A beautiful portrait that shows that the photographer has mastered the art of simplicity and storytelling. – LIFE FRAMER
Photographer statement – Kajal, from my series Women Performing. This series was part of a research project I led on how the materiality of theatrical objects impacts the performance of femininity. Being a performer, I wanted to merge photography with performance and explore what ‘femininity’ is and means with 50 different female-identifying subjects. How can a certain leather jacket or silk robe affect the way one moves, sits, talks, feels, and consequently performs? Displaying costumes, props and make-up for the subjects to choose from, I let each one of them create the character of their choice and develop it throughout the photoshoot by prompting them with questions and actions, giving agency to both the costume and the performer to create stories and identities – which is why all photographs in this series are titled after the names the subjects gave to their character. The result was an exploration of a plurality of femininities instead of one fixed idea of gender, engaging in a dialogue about the female gaze and the possibility of a multiplicity of identities.
In ‘Kajal’, the subject in the photograph was particularly interesting to shoot as she brought to the table her own interpretation of the gaze and femininity, tracing it back to her own South-East Asian culture and traditions, specifically the concept of ‘nazaar’ (‘Evil Eye’), which both men and women protect themselves from by using ‘kajal’ (or kohl eyeliner). This make-up tool possesses a double-sided nature, being an object of visual pleasure and of protection or fear, raising questions about racial and gendered power reproduced through the gaze, through tropes of double identities and dissimulations that deceive the eye. In this photograph, eyeliner is not only an object but an agent, allowing the subject to avoid or to give a look: blurring ideas of male and female gaze and combining them into one general gaze.
