Portrait of Bob Hawke with milkshake bags National Photographic Portrait prize

The gallery said it was the tightest race in the history of the People's Choice Award for the top five, with New South Wales based photographer Mr David taking out the People’s Choice by just a single vote.

Speaking about the image, Mr David said his planning for the shoot immediately went out the window when he saw Hawke walk into the room, sipping through a pink straw.

"Some former prime ministers are just less self-conscious than others. As my father used to say, ‘What it is!’, and at that moment, as history stood before me, I understood what he meant! I am always looking for what connects us all and makes us human. My heart knows we are all created equal, and I always strive to capture that essence in my photographs – a take-away cup, a glint in the eyes, a life well-lived.

It was such a privilege to photograph Bob Hawke! Politicians do not come like that anymore: intelligent, yet a person of the people. I’m so grateful that my portrait of him should win the People’s Choice Award, I’m chuffed."

Mr David won a Pro-1000 printer valued at $1,799 and a maintenance cartridge and paper to the value of $200.

‘This is the first year I have been a finalist in the National Photographic Portrait Prize and to be selected from more than 3000 entries was a win not just for me but all of the other finalists as well,’ said Mr David.

The top five portraits as voted by the people are:

1. The Honourable Bob Hawke savouring a strawberry milkshake by Harold David

2. John Patten (Johnny Jarrett), 1958 Australian bantamweight boxing champion by Tiffany Garvie

3. Amanda by Bill Gekas

4. Kayla by Stuart Miller

5. Tre, Dubbo by David Pritchard

The National Photographic Portrait Prize 2018 exhibition is on display at the Portrait Gallery in Canberra until 17 June 2018. It will then travel to the following locations:

Yarra Ranges Regional Gallery, Lilydale, Victoria – 7 July to 2 September 2018

Hamilton Regional Gallery, Hamilton, Victoria – 21 September to 4 November 2018

Bay Discovery Centre, Glenelg, South Australia – 7 December 2018 to 3 February 2019

Glasshouse, Port Macquarie, New South Wales – 16 February to 21 April 2019