Get some portrait ideas

There is an assignment at the end of this post

Consider doing a self portrait:

Read the contest flier for the ATPI contest.
View some past winners by clicking here and clicking on the results from 2001-2004 at the bottom of the page.

If you are going to shoot someone else, look at the work of these legendary portrait photographers:

Arnold Newman
Annie Leibovits
Mark Seliger
Henri Cartier-Bresson

Assignment
Post you favorite self or regular portrait on your blog, and explain wht makes it a good photo. Be specific. What do you want to emulate in your portraits?