© National Portrait Gallery 2024
King Edward Terrace, Parkes
Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Phone +61 2 6102 7000
ABN: 54 74 277 1196
National Photographic Portrait Prize 2010 Finalist
I believe that portrait photography can go beyond mere physical depiction of the subject. If I can capture a portrait that 'speaks' to the viewer, not just visually but with other layers that tell more of the person, then I believe I'm succeeding. Most people surround themselves with familiar 'things' they are knowledgeable about, skilful with, or cherish. In this photograph of Ryan-Jay Luke the atmosphere of the location approaches other sensory dimensions: the sounds of machinery, leaking steam and the smell of oil. In this context, the photograph tells more of the person and his work. It was taken at the Outdoor Museum of Sovereign Hill, Ballarat, where Ryan-Jay works on boilers and steam engines.
The National Photographic Portrait Prize is an annual event intended to promote the very best in contemporary photographic portraiture by both professional and aspiring Australian photographers.
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