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Young Welsh photographers have been given an opportunity to shine among some of the country's top stars.

Photographers Sam Mason, Dafydd Bland and Zac Mead - winners of the prestigious National Photographic Portrait Commission 2008 - have produced exciting new portraits which will be on display at National Museum Cardiff from 25 November 2008.

The portrait of BAFTA and Laurence Olivier Award-nominated Welsh actor Michael Sheen was taken by Zac Mead, who graduated from the West Wales School of the Arts this year. The setting was Sheen's Welsh home, Port Talbot, although the location wasn't Zac's priority:

"Michael Sheen himself was more important to me than the landscape, although the background could actually be an album cover!" said Zac. "I went for a dead-pan look to get as much from the subject as possible. This is a fantastic step in my career having graduated five months ago, and I'm hoping it'll lead on to bigger and better things."

Studying photography was a bit of an accident for 22-year-old Sam Mason, who photographed Connie Fisher. He was advised to pick a fun subject as his fourth topic at the University of Wales, Newport, chose photography, and can today be proud of his portrayal of The Sound of Music star, Connie Fisher.

Sam would like to achieve something in photography that has never been done before. He said:

"I completely understand this is quite ambitious and may never get to the peak I desire, but it's something to always work towards. I enjoy an equal balance between the craftsmanship of the medium and the creativity, and understanding the importance of the two allows me to produce my work."

Dafydd Bland also trained at the University of Wales, Newport and was set the task of depicting presenter John Humphrys, who is renowned for his tough interviewing on BBC Radio 4's flagship current affairs programme, the Today Programme. Dafydd said:

"I had done a lot of research into the type of image I wanted to create, and visited the radio studio on more than one occasion to weigh up my options. After several discussions with John himself, we finally both agreed on the kind of image I would go for."

Graduating with a first class honours degree in documentary photography, Dafydd wishes to continue his commitment to the art form. In June 2008 he exhibited work at the ‘Off The Real' exhibition, Candid Arts Space, London and being awarded the National Photographic Portrait Commission is another highlight.

Beth McIntyre, Curator of Prints and Drawings at Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales and a member of the judging panel commented:

"As a museum, we're committed to displaying Welsh art, from the historical to the contemporary. We are delighted to be able to expand our portrait collection with some of the faces of today and we're proud to be able to support photographers at the beginning of what I'm sure will be very successful careers."

The annual National Photographic Portrait Commission, led by Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales in conjunction with the National Portrait Gallery, is a competition that aims to uncover talented young photographers in Wales. Sponsored by Mr Producer Ltd, it is open to those who have graduated from a Welsh college since 2000.

Previous portraits include the Archbishop of Canterbury The Most Reverend Dr Rowan Williams, First Minister Rhodri Morgan, television producer and Dr Who scriptwriter Russell T. Davies and harpist Catrin Finch.

National Museum Cardiff is one of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales's seven national museums. The others are St Fagans: National History Museum, the National Roman Legionary Museum, Big Pit: National Coal Museum, the National Wool Museum, the National Slate Museum and the National Waterfront Museum. Entry to each Museum is free thanks to the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

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For further information, please contact Catrin Mears, Communications Officer on (029) 2057 3185 / 07920 027067 or email catrin.mears@museumwales.ac.uk.

Notes to Editors:

• The annual National Photographic Portrait Commission led by Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, in conjunction with the National Portrait Gallery, is a competition that showcases the work of the most talented emerging photographers in Wales.

Each photograph aims to tell a strong personal story about each of the sitters, and this is achieved by regular communication between the photographer and the sitter so that the finished product is as striking and as inspiring as possible.

The panel selects sitters with a connection to Wales who have excelled in their particular field. The commission was established as a means of supporting emerging photographers and is open to those who have graduated from a Welsh college since 2000.

The portraits will form part of the Museum's own permanent collection, and additional prints will enter the collections at the National Portrait Gallery in London.

• Commission Panel - Beth McIntyre, Curator (Prints & Drawings) Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, Charlotte Topsfield, Assistant Curator (Prints & Drawings), Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, Sian James, Communications Officer, Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, Terence Pepper, Curator of Photographs, National Portrait Gallery, Professor Ann Sumner, Director, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Ric Bower, Photographer.

• Mr Producer, The Sponsors of the National Photographic Portrait Commission The Celebrity Agency @ Mr Producer was delighted to sponsor this project. Stifyn Parri, Managing Director, said: "We have been fortunate enough to have created and managed some of Wales's most memorable events, it has been an honour to give something back by supporting this project, based at one of Cardiff's most beautiful buildings." For more information visit www.mrproducer.co.uk.