As a judge of this Photographic Portrait Prize, 2009, I chose Mark Rogers Lambda print 'Rowan McNamara', 2008. It is set in the abandoned community at Jay's Creek, outside Alice Springs. Rowan McNamara stars in Samson and Delilah at that location.
This photo in my opinion is incredibly moody with its pitch black top 2/3rds. Taken at night, it is front lit onto Rowan's face and clothes (it is a side on view of him in an old fashioned wheel chair) with a touch of light from a house and car headlights - one on either side of him. The very high contrast is eye catching so we are forced to stare at the image of Rowan. It is spell - bounding. There is no frame which suits this photograph.
The two 'worsts':
First, the worst image goes to David Wills' 'Puddled State', 2008. It is really not a portrait; but mearly a mucky puddle with the shadow of a person reflected. It is far too small and the image really looks pretty drab. If it is the Wills I'm thinking of, he has taught photographic subjects at ANU!!??
Secondly, the worst frame goes to Dean Golja's 'Betty Churcher', 2008. A very nice image of Betty, but the frame overpowers it. From a distance it looks like pressed metal into a VERY ornate frame. However it is silver painted wood, but still does not compliment the very good image. It steels the observer's attention from the photo. A simple frame, even if the artist wanted silver to compliment her silver hair, would be just fine.
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