Murdo MacLeod: 'Iain McKellar is a damned good sport – that is all I can say' Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Observer
Suki Dhanda: 'I really enjoyed this shoot. Lovely to be in her home – she is such a familiar character. Once Dot – sorry June – was ready, she walked into the room looking very glam with a fag in her hand and just perched herself on the chair. Perfect! (By the way, the cat was not real)' Photograph: Suki Dhanda for the Observer
Antonio Olmos had been commissioned to photograph the Other Voices music festival in Derry and took the opportunity to revisit some of places he had photographed in the past under very different circumstances.
You can read his blog about his trip and how it made him think differently about smartphone apps here. He used the Hipstamatic smartphone app for this and the next two pictures Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Observer
There is a gallery of Antonio Olmos's Derry images here Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Observer
Murdo MacLeod: 'Caroline's poor husband Jon is holding the other half of the sheep that pops into this shot. This was not easy as it was uncompliant. Thanks Jon!!' Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Observer
Suki Dhanda: 'Group shots are more complex: you need much more preparation before the shoot. I knew I was shooting eight people so I arranged a few chairs and stools. I would have some sitting and some standing depending on their height. There were only two men so I deliberatey placed one on a chair. As time is always a factor, the lighting and composition was ready before I got them in. Then you have to keep an eye on them, giving directions to those who need it. You have to be heard in these situations and command authority in a nice way – so you don't lose them!' Photograph: Suki Dhanda for the Observer
Suki Dhanda: 'Hilary was not very well this day but you couldn't tell from the picture. She was very pro: kept the same grin throughout the shoot. She looked like a character from Dynasty in her plush townhouse and I wanted to retain that glossy look. An amazing woman who has not had an easy life but has achieved so much' Photograph: Suki Dhanda for the Observer
Antonio Olmos: 'I had very little time to photograph Laura. The team were deep in training for the spring season. I had about five minutes and the first thing I asked her was if she wanted to take her helmet off. She gave me a hard stare and said no. There was no way she was going to let me photograph her with her hair all messed up. I quickly photographed her as she glared at the camera. I liked the hard look she gave me. It reflected her tough nature, which she needs in a difficult sport' Photograph: Antonio Olmos for the Observer
Peter Beaumont, the Observer's foreign affairs editor, has been a regular visitor to Iraq over the past 10 years and interviewed and photographed people in the capital for the cover feature in the New Review Photograph: Peter Beaumont for The Observer
Peter shot this photograph with the Hipstamatic app, using Helga Viking + BlacKeys SuperGrain + Standard Photograph: Peter Beaumont for the Observer
For more of Peter's images click here Photograph: Peter Beaumont for The Observer
Barry J Holmes: 'The reason he was laughing was I said, "This is the point of the shoot where I ask you to take your clothes off." He was a very cool guy' Photograph: Barry J Holmes for the Observer
Murdo MacLeod: 'I was setting up to photograph in the cow sheds when I saw this vibrant rainbow against a darkening sky across the fields. So I grabbed Edward and we headed towards the muddy field. As happens so often, before I had shot a frame – just as we breathlessly stepped on to the soggy stubble – the mirage of the rainbow evaporated and condensed into a vicious hail shower faster than you could snap your fingers'.
See an audio slideshow of Murdo's work on farming here Photograph: Murdo MacLeod for the Observer
