A starry backdrop leads the eye to the subject in Reuters photographer David Grays cheeky portrait of Michael Phelps, a young athlete whose star quality is very much in evidence at the World Swimming Championships in Melbourne.

Another star hangs over the head of Javier Solana, who appears to have experienced a momentary lapse in concentration in Yves Hermans candid shot.

It looks significant, what does it mean?

Well, just about anything you want it to mean really, depending of course on the context in which it appears, although it is hard to imagine this frame being used in anything but a rather negative way. Nevertheless it is well observed, well executed and an entirely legitimate piece of photojournalism. It represents a glimpse through the defensive shield. What it means is up to you, the viewer.