Portraiture

The library in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. The library contains over 50, 000 items. I was particularly interested to see the busts of famous figures, including the writer George McKay Brown. The portrait gallery itself is a huge sandstone neo-gothic palace. Opened to the public in 1889 it was the world's first purpose built portrait gallery. I went to see the Taylor Wessing photographic portrait prize. There were many interesting shots of both well known and unknown figures from all over the globe. Some were well planned photos designed to shock or make point, others captured an unplanned moment. I preferred the shots which were more natural, as opposed to the ones staged by 'sitters'. Food for thought and for inspiration.