Melissa's Photoblog
These Eyes
Posted by Melissa W. (Warsaw, Indiana, United States) on 4 May 2008 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.
This one is actually one of my favorites from the session. I really like how beautiful her eyes are in this.
Gary from Cochise County, United States
Hi Melissa, I'm just getting back and I must say that you did a great job on this whole session. Your talents came through again. You had nothing to worry about.
4 May 2008 8:58am
@Gary: Welcome back, Gary! Thank you very much for the encouragement. :) I really had a fantastic time taking these.
Ron from Saint Louis, United States
You're absolutely right, Melissa ... her eyes are just stunningly beautiful (and I might add alluring) in this shot. Lovely young woman and beautiful photographs, Melissa!
4 May 2008 11:03am
Michael Skorulski from Cigel, Slovakia
A rich and gorgeous image of a lovely girl. Bravo.
4 May 2008 12:04pm
Graham Russon from Cape Town, South Africa
Beautiful, once again you have masterfully captured the right moment perfectly. Well done.
4 May 2008 7:20pm
standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France
Gorgeous portrait. You're right, her eyes are superb!
4 May 2008 9:48pm
danthro from Suburbia, United States
nice portrait, great light, tones, color, detail, etc. though I think I like the previous one better. but you're right the eyes really stand out in this one
5 May 2008 7:54pm
MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom
Melissa, these portraits and stunning. I agree she has the most beautiful eyes.
5 May 2008 8:29pm
@MaryB: Thank you so much, Mary. :)
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
Yes, nice light on the eyes. How was this lit?
5 May 2008 8:39pm
@Twelvebit: Thank you very much for commenting about the light. This was evening light + gold reflector (just below her). I recently purchased a collapsible kit (on sale) thru B+H. I had never used a reflector prior to this session, and I gotta say I absolutely love it. Now I can't imagine not using it. However, that also means that I have to drag my poor husband to be my assistant. ;)
Mandy from Johannesburg, South Africa
magnificent portrait Melissa....I can see why it's your favourite. I love the pose and the expression on her face. She's a really gorgeous young lady.
6 May 2008 7:09am
@Mandy: I can't take all the credit for the pose. My husband came up with the idea of having her on her back...my only instruction was for her not to smile and to keep her lips parted slightly. When she smiles it's hard to really see her eyes, so I wanted an image that showed off her beautiful blue eyes.
Barbara from Florida, United States
Wonderful series of beautiful portraits. Excellent poses and compositions.
7 May 2008 3:52am
Twelvebit from Victoria, United States
Reading back through the comments, I can't say that I find this "too alluring" --which sort of suggests "inappropriate" in certain contexts. If it was rotated 90 degrees cw it would look like she was standing with her back against a wall --would that change the interpretation? I won't deny that some people might interpret it as "alluring," but doesn't such an interpretation seem rather sexist to you? Would the image be alluring if the subject was a guy? Wouldn't a guy be interpreted as "resting" or "relaxing," or just being "cool?" It seems to me that the notion that a female in this pose is alluring is based on the very sexist notion that a female on her back has a purely sexual connotation; and while at the same time I recognize that interpretation probably exists for some, I also find it rather sad and disturbing.
13 May 2008 8:52pm
@Twelvebit: I can see how this could be interpreted as "alluring" especially coming from a very conservative small town in the Midwest. I think the image is tasteful and not at all offensive. Heck, I've seen HS senior portraits of girls in bikinis that are way more suggestive than this. But you're absolutely right, if the tables were turned...
I really appreciate your insight and perspective; I always look forward to your comments. You're right it is sad.
Canon EOS 30D
1/250 second
F/4.0
ISO 200
90 mm