Eye contact

[AliB]

I read a lot of critique of portraits along the lines of "would have been better with eye contact" and one of mine received just such a comment on another site once upon a time (before I found this place which is, of course, infinitely superior!) But some portraits are done deliberately with no eye contact and for very good reasons. If you look at art as inspiration you find a lot of respected artists don't use eye contact.

Jack Vettriano is one that I'd use to illustrate this point.

http://www.jackvettriano.com/pages/single/5632.html

Another one that I like is Mark Spain.

http://www.collect-art.com/artist/mark_spain/index.html

I once saw a painting by Mark Spain in a gallery in London. It was about 8ft tall, not a print or a canvas but in oils and it was sublime, the depth in it was incomparable. And not a bit of eye contact in sight.

So my question is simply why do we see so many "need eye contact" critiques? What is so different about photography?

 

[Chappers]

AliB

I'm with you on this one. I don't think eye contact is important, it really depends on the type of portrait you are taking. If you are trying to make contact with the subject then yes I think eye contact could be important. However if the subject is in the picture, and part of it then eye contact may not be a good thing.

I also learned from a very good lady portrait photographer years ago that when photographing a woman, it's unlikely she will like those portraits where she is looking at the camera. It seems the preference is not for eye contact. However her husband/boyfriend would prefer the eye contact images. It seems to depend on your relationship to the sitter and even gender.

 

[DiddyDave]

Here's an uncropped one of mine from a recent Wedding - just a snap as the kids were playing, 180mm f2.8

I have several of her showing eyes in the 'normal' way - but I prefer this one for some reason

DD

 

[ShawWellPete]

I completely agree, eye contact is great when you want it, and, in my opinion, involves the viewer in the photo. Sometimes though, the detachment of no eye contact works too...

 

[dazzajl]

So my question is simply why do we see so many "need eye contact" critiques? What is so different about photography?

I suspect you already know the answer to that one Ali and if I was to type it out here, I may well get banned.

 

[AliB]

Great examples guys, thank you

And Dazz, I'm genuinely amazed that so many people seem to think that you "have to have" eye contact to call it a portrait.

Is it a portrait if there is no eye contact?

I know that I actually like not having eye contact, I like wondering what the person is thinking, why they are there?, what is the relationship with their surroundings? I find such pics more intellectually stimulating if that makes sense. Wondering what their thoughts are.

 

[..MD..]

well i must admit i am prone to saying eye contact would have made it better..

not always but if eye contact was not intended then thats cool but some look like it was just missed..

ive just posted a couple of portrait and one has not got eye contact which i feels works.

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/gallery/data/1883/8-copytp.jpg


but as with everything its all down to personal taste..

all imho


md

 

[GerryD]

eye contact is subjective and depends on what type of photograph you want from the person you are taking the photo of. I went to a wedding recently and did a number of photos, and some of the candids would never have worked with eye contact.

Therefore eye contact is not essential, but if it is what you need to make the photo then make sure you get it

 

[Little Man]

I completely agree, eye contact is great when you want it, and, in my opinion, involves the viewer in the photo. Sometimes though, the detachment of no eye contact works too...

Fantastic photo.

 

[as-i-said]

I completely agree, eye contact is great when you want it, and, in my opinion, involves the viewer in the photo. Sometimes though, the detachment of no eye contact works too...

thats cracking, and wins the argument for me

 

[Raymond Lin]

I read a lot of critique of portraits along the lines of "would have been better with eye contact" and one of mine received just such a comment on another site once upon a time (before I found this place which is, of course, infinitely superior!) But some portraits are done deliberately with no eye contact and for very good reasons. If you look at art as inspiration you find a lot of respected artists don't use eye contact.

Jack Vettriano is one that I'd use to illustrate this point.

http://www.jackvettriano.com/pages/single/5632.html

Another one that I like is Mark Spain.

http://www.collect-art.com/artist/mark_spain/index.html

I once saw a painting by Mark Spain in a gallery in London. It was about 8ft tall, not a print or a canvas but in oils and it was sublime, the depth in it was incomparable. And not a bit of eye contact in sight.

So my question is simply why do we see so many "need eye contact" critiques? What is so different about photography?

The 2 photographers and artist you have chosen to use exmples there are great exmaples of why you don't necessary need eye contact but the reason that is because the final image is not about the eyes.

Take your example



This photo is more about the pose, the environment, the "hat" and the atmosphere. The fact that without eye contact makes sense as it keeps the mystery.

I think Diddydave's photo can do with eye contact actually, that photo is a much more close up of her face, without the eye contact my eyes is searching for something to keep my focus. Which comes inevitablly to nothing and just wondering arround all over.

 

[as-i-said]

The 2 photographers and artist you have chosen to use exmples there are great exmaples of why you don't necessary need eye contact but the reason that is because the final image is not about the eyes.

Take your example



This photo is more about the pose, the environment, the "hat" and the atmosphere. The fact that without eye contact makes sense as it keeps the mystery.

I think Diddydave's photo can do with eye contact actually, that photo is a much more close up of her face, without the eye contact my eyes is searching for something to keep my focus. Which comes inevitablly to nothing and just wondering arround all over.

made me wonder

A.what is she looking at
B. why the cheeky grin

see your point with the other image, prolly an ad for the bag