National Photographic Portrait awards: Australia

[casil403]

After looking at all the other entries, all I have to say is...........HUH?

I'd be curious to know the judges' reasoning behind picking that shot as the winner over the others?

[jjeling]

Im not saying it is a bad shot. It won $25,000.

However, this is a picture I would have thrown out if I took it. Not sure what the "thought" was behind the picture. Also not sure what the man was trying to "say." Looks kind of like
"here are my two boys standing next to a hot tub." Nothing about the image is intriguing or captivating. I like the exposure, and tones in the image, but that does not overcome the lack of composition or story this picture tells.

[EJC]

I don't get it either. Who was the judge? ...His Mom???

[kat]

Ha ha. I've learnt recently that you just never know anymore.

[casil403]

Kinda reminds me of that typical "family holiday to Walleyworld" shot where Mum or Dad takes that obligatory first photo of the kids in the pool at the Holiday Inn or Best Western....lol!
Then subjects the rest of the family to "the slide show" when they get back!

[AcadieLibre]

It is so subjective who can really say which photo should have won. I don't care for it, or many of them but thats just my bias. I prefer a certain look and type of photography. That just misses for me, but I wasn't a judge so they chose what they chose I don't see what is controversial about it winning, it did.

[tirediron]

I would really like to know the rationale behind that image winning.

[Gem]

I don't see what's so great about the image. Looks pretty ordinary to me....contests can be weird.

[F8&Bthere]

For me it's like the end of nearly every episode of America's Funniest Home Videos- the most unspontaneous and unfunny video of the final three always wins, and I go "huh?"

[GregL]

Here is an excerpt from the Sydney Morning Herald

National Portrait Gallery curator Christopher Chapman, a member of the judging panel, says Kenne's photograph is powerfully direct.

"We were impressed by the potent connection that is evoked between the subjects in the photograph and the viewer," Dr Chapman said in a statement.

"We also appreciated the complex compositional qualities and sculptural sense of space within the photograph, and its technical excellence."

Kenne was born in Sweden but now divides his time between Sydney and New York.

The 43-year-old said he was thrilled to win the prize, but it had taken 15 years of hard work.

If I can find anything more offical I'll post it.