I finally made it down to the Taylor Wessing Photographic Prize Exhibition at the M Shed today on the final day of the event.
The 60 images included in this three and a half month exhibition were shortlisted portraits by both established professionals and up and coming photographers, brought to Bristol directly from the National Portrait Gallery.
As you walk observantly up to and by the purposefully arranged images, you are given an insight into the lives of both the
photographer and the photographed. Each and every image tells a story, some far deeper than others. But they all tell stories of culture, and a wide range at that, from portraits reconstructing 1930's fashion shoots, to a portrait photographed of a woman from a culture within which photographs of the people are forbidden.
There is sensitivity and compassion within each and every image - many are taken of the photographers' friends and family, and others are of people or communities the photographers have encountered by chance. There is more spontaneity involved in capturing some than there is in others. One beautifully natural portrait was taken on the photographer's iPhone when he happened to spot a couple taking a photograph of themselves in a picturesque cafe.
The beauty of all of the images included was that there was a sense of emotion, whether deep and sad, mysterious and curious, or gleeful and love. So much so that the carefully ordered images took one on a journey through different cultures, walks of life, and types of people.
I wish I had gone earlier on in the time that this exhibition was on display so that I could urge you to go, but all I can do now is acknowledge the quality of this exhibition and applaud the photographers, the people in the photographs, and the organisers for such a great event.
The 60 images included in this three and a half month exhibition were shortlisted portraits by both established professionals and up and coming photographers, brought to Bristol directly from the National Portrait Gallery.
As you walk observantly up to and by the purposefully arranged images, you are given an insight into the lives of both the
photographer and the photographed. Each and every image tells a story, some far deeper than others. But they all tell stories of culture, and a wide range at that, from portraits reconstructing 1930's fashion shoots, to a portrait photographed of a woman from a culture within which photographs of the people are forbidden.
There is sensitivity and compassion within each and every image - many are taken of the photographers' friends and family, and others are of people or communities the photographers have encountered by chance. There is more spontaneity involved in capturing some than there is in others. One beautifully natural portrait was taken on the photographer's iPhone when he happened to spot a couple taking a photograph of themselves in a picturesque cafe.
The beauty of all of the images included was that there was a sense of emotion, whether deep and sad, mysterious and curious, or gleeful and love. So much so that the carefully ordered images took one on a journey through different cultures, walks of life, and types of people.
I wish I had gone earlier on in the time that this exhibition was on display so that I could urge you to go, but all I can do now is acknowledge the quality of this exhibition and applaud the photographers, the people in the photographs, and the organisers for such a great event.