An enigmatic and moody black-and-white image has taken out the top prize in the June australianphotography.com 'Self Portrait' competition. 'Dark Eyes and Nicotine Stains,' by Drew Hopper was lauded by this month's judge, award-winning portrait photographer Steve Baccon, for its evocative emotion and air of inscrutable mystery.
"I think it is an appealing image with a great aesthetic and an amount of risk involved with the point of focus and depth," says Baccon. "It's a really cool shot."
Also highly commended by Baccon were Steve Sheddick's poignant 'Through A Miner's Eyes," and Maree Cardinale's ethereal "To Live in Hope".
Hopper has won a $250 voucher for a Deluxe Photobook from leading Australian photo book maker Momento.
A total of 18 images were shortlisted for the June 'Self Portrait' competition and are published below. The theme for the July competition is 'Flowers'. Images must be submitted by midnight, 31 July 2013. Click here to enter.
Shooting for almost 25 years, Steve Baccon has worked with a diverse range of personalities, including Naomi Watts, Powderfinger, Nicole Kidman, Ben Lee, Andrew Denton, Matt Skinner and clients such asNetwork Ten, One Teaspoon and Billabong amongst an extensive list of others. Last December Baccon published his first book with Harper Collins, 'Expressions', a collection of portraits that is a testament to the intimate relationship Baccon finds with his subjects. Baccon is represented by Reload Agency. http://www.bacconphotography.com
WINNER: 'Dark Eyes and Nicotine Stains,' by Drew Hopper.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: 'Through Miners Eyes,' by Steve Sheddick.
HIGHLY COMMENDED: 'To Live in Hope,' by Maree Cardinale.
