National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018 Finalist
A tight-knit group of teenage girls from regional south-west NSW look out over a local quarry on the outskirts of town, a place where local teens cool off in the heat of summer. Extending on my 2013 series The Edge, this image is part of a series exploring the relationship between young people and nature in contemporary regional life. Having photographed these girls in a number of locations, I was struck by their fearless, playful, adventurous spirits, a result of them growing up on the land. This project was initiated and commissioned by The Wired Lab.
Tara James chats with award-winning artist Tamara Dean about portraiture prizes, the environment and the strength of women.
NPPP judge Robert Cook provides irreverent insight into this year’s fare, and having to be a bit judgemental.
The exhibition is selected from a national field of entries, reflecting the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of their subjects.