London’s National Portrait Gallery names Tobias Hutzler a finalist for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize

Every year, the National Portrait Gallery in London chooses what it considers that year’s best portraits and exhibits them as part of the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. The show, notes the gallery, provides “a unique opportunity to see 60 new portraits by some of the most exciting contemporary photographers from around the world.”

And this year, the prestigious institution made a photograph by Tobias Hutzler part of that esteemed selection.

Tobias shot the portrait, of a young Syrian Army rebel soldier whose battle injuries had left him paralyzed, while on assignment this past winter at a Syrian refugee camp in Kilis, Turkey, for The New York Times Magazine.

“He is paralyzed but has a very strong mind,” recalls Tobias. “He wanted to communicate to me and say thanks and honor his fellow fighters from his unit.”

The National Portrait Gallery explains that the selected images “explore both traditional and original approaches to the photographic portrait,” adding that the competition attracted more than 4,000 submissions.

Tobias’ portrait will be on view at the National Portrait Gallery from November 13 to February 22. Details here. It is also being featured at Time magazine’s Lightbox blog, in a slideshow of 22 of the National Gallery’s 2014 selections for the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize. View the slideshow here.

Photo by Tobias Hutzler.

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