The eyes are the mirror of the soul and the most important part of a portrait. The eyes are what we first see in an image and it is in the look where we spend the most time. It is through it that we connect with the images, and with the person (or animal) that we observe, because it is with the eyes that we connect when we communicate.
In short, the eyes, whenever they appear, tend to become what we call a center of interest of our image, so we must treat them with the importance they deserve ;).
But in order not to end up doing the same thing over and over again, it’s best to stop and think of ways to be original. And since I know that it is not always easy to stop to fill yourself with inspiration, I have done that work for you :-). I hope you enjoy it and, most importantly, that it encourages you to practice looking for some of these images on your own.
The rule of thirds
How heavy we are with this rule, right? But the truth is that we cannot ignore all the tools we have to highlight the center of interest. Placing the eyes on these intersections that originate by dividing the frame into three thirds, make enhance the attention in the look.
diaphragm opening
If you have a bright lens with a large aperture, you can play with very small depths of field. This will allow you to highlight, thanks to the focus, the center of interest that, in this case, is centered on the eyes.
If you decide to work with a wide diaphragm opening (shallow depth of field) remember that the eye that should be in focus is the one closest to the target.
The reflections in the eyes
Some eyes that reflect light, are eyes full of life, Whenever you seek to highlight a look or eyes, make sure that they reflect light and you will see how their beauty and interest increase.
macro photography
Macro photography is for me artistic in itself because, although it shows us a world that is a priori real, it shows it in a way that is unique and that we cannot appreciate naturally. And the eyes, with the richness of their tones and textures, give fascinating results.
If you do not have a macro lens, do not worry, there are other systems that can give you good results to start with, such as investment rings or extension tubes.
Moreover, if you still want something more low cost, I recommend that you turn the lens around (very carefully and in environments free of sand, rain, etc.) and that you take your first steps in macro photography like this. If you like it, you can always become a fan and improve your team little by little.
framing the gaze
Another way to highlight the look is by framing it with something. You can do it through fingers, a kitchen roll, a small mirror, a hole in a leaf, a mask, through some sheets or a handkerchief.
You can find countless ways to do it, you just have to look around you to discover them.
point light
experiment with light can give you great results. Try playing with a spotlight from a flashlight in a dark environment to make your eyes stand out. It may be a bit annoying for your model, but the results can be very interesting.
A trick to not bother the person you want to photograph so much is to ask them to close their eyes while you light them, carefully check the focus, and when everything is ready, ask them to open their eyes for a moment. At that moment you press the shutter and tachán, you have it.
It’s an idea, you can invent, do and undo whatever you like, but I’ll let you know that inspiration always comes while we’re working. You’ll see how as you try things, others come to mind.
black and white
The eyes are not exclusive to color, you can also experiment with black and white. Black and white is timeless, elegant, dreamlike, magical… (I love it, you can see my feather duster, right? 🙂 ) so don’t forget about it when you work on creativity in any photographic field. Nor in the case of creative eye photography.
gaze intensity
There are looks that are so intense that they practically stand out on their own. Just accompanying them a good composition and a good focus, They speak for themselves and manage to connect in a very powerful way with the viewer.
homemade magnifying glasses
Something as simple as a magnifying glass that you have at home or that you can buy cheaply can help you highlight your eyes in a creative and simple way. You can also experiment with glasses or other glass surfaces that magnify objects.
through reflections
Mirrors always give a lot of play in photography, they help you enhance your creativity, and they usually add mystery and interest to your photographs. Feel free to experiment with them in your quest for creative eye photography.
law of gaze
It is the one that says that you have to leave space where the gaze is directed. Thus the image is more fluid and “breathes” better compositionally speaking. However, as always, it will depend on what you want to convey with your image. If you want to “drown” your protagonist and transmit overwhelm, skip this rule ;-).
pets too
Do not limit yourself to human eyes, if you have animals nearby or you are fond of photographing them, do not hesitate to photograph them too. Their expressions, their looks, the types of eyes depending on the species you choose, can be very interesting too.
How about? Do you dare to frame, to highlight with light, or with the opening of the diaphragm, with a macro, with a handkerchief or through a door lock… a look? I hope so, that it has inspired you and motivates you to practice, which is the reason why we write, dive through the networks looking for images and inspiration. To inspire you and, above all, to encourage you to practice.
Oh, and if you liked it, don’t forget to share the article on your favorite social network so that others can enjoy it too. Thank you and see you next time.