Fiona Galbraith

Head On is the nation's major innovative showcase for Australian portrait photography, reflecting a vibrant, diverse cross-section of new and traditional photographic practices.

The show's main selection criteria are the quality and impact of the image, rather than the celebrity of the photographer or subject. As a result Head On is regarded by the arts community and reviewers as the most critically important photographic portrait prize in the country.

This year's judges were National Gallery of Victoria senior curator - photography Dr Isobel Crombie, prize-winning photographer Anthony Browell, Australian agent for Agence Vu Isabelle Rouvillois and Head On Curator, Moshe Rosenzveig.

The exhibition includes prints by the 40 finalists and further 215 images by the short listed photographers presented as a slideshow.