The Eyes Have It
Paul Malley • 25 August 2021
The eyes have it
It's often said that a portrait can tell a great story through the sitter's eyes, which is why a lot of importance is given towards ensuring the eyes are in focus, as it's usually one of the first things that a viewer looks at, or makes contact with in the image. It can be a little confusing if the eyes are not in focus, especially if the eyes are on the same plane and can cause a disturbance in attempting to focus on a face. There are, of course, occasions when the face or eyes are not the main point of interest; there is also the pure 'subjectiveness and choice' of the photographer as to what they wish to be the 'main point of focus.'
I decided to revisit some of my recent portrait work and tried an experiment in cropping, to see if there was an optimum crop/distance which gave powerful impact from a sitter's eyes. The image I chose was in a wood, with the sitter having a hooded jacket. Obviously, from a distance, there was a wider view and the subject was smaller in the frame, hence the eyes, although the main focus, were not overly prominent. By cropping that same image in incremental steps, I arrived at the image shown. There is no background greenery, no distractions, just direct contact with the eyes. Formatting gave a better approach than the 4:3 or 3:2 view.
Thinking about this now, it may offer a dynamic pose idea for a male, with their head bowed slightly down, eyes looking up in a menacing pose, even with a gritty B&W feel? Here, focus would be more critical for a wide aperture, as the face may extend for DoF
Just by adjusting a 'simple, sitter in a landscape image', I've learned something about zooming, cropping, formatting for impact... AND, come up with an idea style for the future.
It's often said that a portrait can tell a great story through the sitter's eyes, which is why a lot of importance is given towards ensuring the eyes are in focus, as it's usually one of the first things that a viewer looks at, or makes contact with in the image. It can be a little confusing if the eyes are not in focus, especially if the eyes are on the same plane and can cause a disturbance in attempting to focus on a face. There are, of course, occasions when the face or eyes are not the main point of interest; there is also the pure 'subjectiveness and choice' of the photographer as to what they wish to be the 'main point of focus.'
I decided to revisit some of my recent portrait work and tried an experiment in cropping, to see if there was an optimum crop/distance which gave powerful impact from a sitter's eyes. The image I chose was in a wood, with the sitter having a hooded jacket. Obviously, from a distance, there was a wider view and the subject was smaller in the frame, hence the eyes, although the main focus, were not overly prominent. By cropping that same image in incremental steps, I arrived at the image shown. There is no background greenery, no distractions, just direct contact with the eyes. Formatting gave a better approach than the 4:3 or 3:2 view.
Thinking about this now, it may offer a dynamic pose idea for a male, with their head bowed slightly down, eyes looking up in a menacing pose, even with a gritty B&W feel? Here, focus would be more critical for a wide aperture, as the face may extend for DoF
Just by adjusting a 'simple, sitter in a landscape image', I've learned something about zooming, cropping, formatting for impact... AND, come up with an idea style for the future.
Louth Photographic Society
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held a committee meeting, which was very productive, we made the final arrangements for the exhibition, charity night, and studio evening as well as other items on the agenda. We are holding an Exhibition opening night at Louth Museum on Friday 17th April celebrating 70 years of Louth Photographic Society. There will be a small buffet and cold drinks available, if any member would like to donate a bottle of wine to the occasion please hand it to Harry at one of our club nights. This week, Wednesday 25th March, member Chris Birchmore will be giving us a presentation. The following week is a local competition, with the categoriess of "Local Nature" (up to 25 miles radius from St James church) and "Open" (unlimited mileage) please send your entries to Harry before midnight, Sunday 29th March. Members Steve Chapman will judge the Nature category, and Dave Turner the Open category. Regards Graham
Good Morning All Last week at the club we held our monthly PDI competition judged by Martyn Wrigg, the standard of entries was very high and well done to Tony Gaskins for a first in the Architectural Detail and Derek Smith for his first place in the Open. All the results are on our website under competitions. This week, Wednesday 18th March we will be holding a Committee meeting, just committee members for this one. The following week Chris Birchmore is the speaker for the night. Harry is now accepting entries for the PDI local competition, with the categories of "Local Nature" and "Open". We judge this competition in house so if you would like to judge one of the subjects please let me know. Regards Graham
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A PDI (Projected Digital Image) competition was held last night with the categories of "Architectural Detail", and "Open". Martyn Wrigg was our judge for the evening, and he competently judged the submitted images, although he diid surprise with some of his choices of placing, but that's a judges perogative. Martyn complemented members on the quality of the images presented, which had made some of his decisions difficult. First placed was "It's a Fixer Upper" in the Architectural Detail section, and "Dervish Musician" in the Open section. Congratulations to Robin Begley, who as one of our newest members submitted some impressive images, achieving a 3rd place in "Architectural Details", and 2nd in the "Open" category. All the results are now posted to our website Competition page.
Good Morning All Last week at the club member Steve Chapman gave us an insight into his life and especially his time at Ilam Park in Derbyshire photographing for the National Trust. Steve showed us many photographs he had taken of the people involved with the trust and the Peak District. The second half was dedicated to Steve's own work, some superb aircraft photography as well as many other subjects. There is a report on the evening on our blog page. This week, Wednesday 11th March we are holding a PDI competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail " and "Open" to be judged by Martyn Wrigg of Barton. The following week is a committee meeting for the committee members only on that evening. For newer members we have two committee meetings a year. Regards Graham
Last night Steve Chapman presented a selection of images from his archives. Steve had previously been a volunteer photographer for the National Trust, and he showed many photos from the Ilam Park Estate, Dovedale, it was interesting to see some of the "behind the scenes" photos. The Jacobite reenactment battle scenes were amazing, the uniforms showed great attention to detail, and there were some real characters among the reenactors. After the break Steve showed some of his general photography, he has a great photographic eye, as some of his photos showed with different colours, shapes, and leading lines. Steve has taken many photos of agricultural machinery, and risked life and limb to create some close up aircraft photos. For atmosphere, just look at these horseriders at the top of the hill on a cool early morning. For heartstopping imagery look at these children on the side of a building, the children are photos on the side of the building, however, Steve wasted no time in capturing this stunning image. Many thanks to Steve for a fascinating evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club I gave you a PDI (Projected Digital Image) presentation showing photographs I had taken on my travels last year, following up with some past and present photographs of Binbrook. I hope you all enjoyed the evening and maybe saw parts of England you hadn't seen before. This week, Wednesday 4th March, our member Steve Chapman will be showing us photographs he has taken. This is Steve's first time showing the club his work so will be a very good night. Harry is now accepting your PDI's for the next competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail" and "Open". The closing date is Friday 6th March. Regards Graham
The N&EMPF Exhibition will be on display in Cleethorpes from 3rd March.
It was "President's Night" with Graham Harrison showing some of his images from short breaks, and holidays around the UK. Graham rented a holiday cottage in Newbiggin, Northumberland, and showed many of his photos from that area, including a visit to Lindisfarne, where the castle on the rocky outcrop made for an impressive photo. In Suffolk, Graham visited Pakefield, and photographed the colourful beach huts at the top of the shingle beach, he also showed several photos from the Lake District. One of my favourite photos from last night was St. Mary's Lighthouse, Whitley Bay, with the groins in juxtaposition. Thank you Graham for a very interesting evening.
Good Morning All Last week at the club Harry and Chris gave us an insight into how our exhibition preparation is going, we have a lot of historical photos to go on show and there may be room for some more up to date ones but Harry and Chris will see how much room we have left when they start putting it all together at the museum. I also took the time to find out what you wanted in the new program, filling in the competition subjects and outings. This week, Wednesday 25th February, it is the Presidents night, so that's my night and I will be showing you what I got up to in 2025. The rainbow at Brough castle gives you idea of one area I visited. Harry is now accepting entries for the next PDI competition, with the categories of "Architectural Detail" and "Open". The new program is nearly done and to give you a chance to get ready for the first two competitions in May and June the subjects are May, PDI comp - Landscapes with water and Open and June, Print competition, Trees and Open. Regards Graham
