Photographer wins BP Visitors' Choice Awards

The annual BP Portrait Award is the most prestigious portrait competition in the world. Over the years it has proven to be a major stepping stone for the careers of many portrait photographers we see today. It promotes the best of contemporary portrait painting. The work of photographers taking part varies from intimate images of friends and family to revealing the lives of celebrity sitters. This results in a wide range of style and approaches which, in the end, sheds light on the diversity in ages and nationalities within the competition. 

This years winner, Jan Mikulka, submitted a portrait photo of a friend, Jakub, who he has known since childhood. Jakub works as a documentary film maker. Mikulkas’ aim was “to capture his sensitive nature at a short distance.” The style of portrait gave Mikulka the opportunity to play with the light effects in the hair and skin tones, see more works here. The Czech artist received 2,280 votes and wowed the viewers with his ability to, successfully play with the rendering of skin and hair tones.

The second most popular was Abi, by Nathan Ford. A portrait painted of a friend, Abi, from a single sitting. Scan through more of his work here.