A couple of days I posted a photograph of a schoolboy looking away from the camera, which seemed to receive a positive response. I said at the time that I liked the photograph because the boy wasn’t looking at the camera. Just to confuse you I’m now posting a photograph of a little boy who is staring right at the camera with a piercing gaze.

Both, I feel are successful portraits – but for different reasons. What makes this photograph strong, in my opinion, is that the boy’s head is slightly lowered, which makes it more interesting than someone just looking straight at the camera. Also, it’s all about the light! There is a fairly dark background but the sunlight is spotlighting him, making his arresting stare even more pronounced.

And naturally it is about the boy too. Not only is he photogenic but he has a powerful, confident presence – which makes an interesting contrast to all the cute pictures of toddlers I think.