How To Get the eyes to pop like this?

Cuties02q

Just wondering if anyone know how this photographer gets the eyes to pop like this???

http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/25/15.jpg
http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2_56.jpg
http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/3_40.jpg
http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/1_89_2.jpg

Is this ? is in the wrong place feel free to move it :thumb

pathfinder

Cutie,
I have moved this to Finishing School as that is most likely where you will ge the help you are seeking.

Cuties02q

Thanks

wxwax

A couple of them are way overdone, IMHO.

In one of the magazines, I have a tutorial on eyes. Other than brightening the whites, it involved putting eyeliner around the eyes and the pupils, creating catchlights, and boosting the color. A bunch of steps. But I'd have to find the magazine to tell you the precise moves.

dogratty

eyepoppin'

Cuties02q wrote:

Just wondering if anyone know how this photographer gets the eyes to pop like this???

http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/25/15.jpg
http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2_56.jpg
http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/3_40.jpg
http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/1_89_2.jpg

Looks likek the eyes are over sharpened, with graduated softening radiating from there out.
a bit overdone though, imho...

Cason

According to Audrey, she does nothing.

Read here:

http://alwblog.typepad.com/blogging_with_audrey/2006/04/eyes.html

System

RTP wrote:

According to Audrey, she does nothing.

Read here:

http://alwblog.typepad.com/blogging_with_audrey/2006/04/eyes.html

very interesting-

my next assignment with the grandkids!-

Cuties02q

According to Audrey, she does nothing.

That is why I am asking here because it doesn't really look natural or like anything I have seen

ziggy53

Notice the size of the pupils, which are very small. It would appear that she is using a very large reflector of some sort, possibly an automotive sunshade or something like that. From the size of the catch lights, it also appears to be very close to the subject.

This is somewhat contrary to fill flash, which generally produces larger pupils that most folks find preferable.

Other than that, she is using large aperture lenses and is very careful to focus on the eyes, which is usual. (Shallow DOF)

pathfinder

I have read in other threads about portraits, that using a large, bright light source ( beauty dish maybe?) keeps the pupil small ( of course, duh!!).

But that also lets the viewer see the iris detail rather than a dark larger pupil, and the brighter light to the eyes helps as there is frequently shading of the eyes in some photos.

Cason

Like Ziggy mentioned, she is probably using reflector(s) and some fast glass.

Her site claims that...Chicago children's photographer Audrey Woulard is an on-location photographer that specializes in natural light commercial photography for babies and children.

Cuties02q

Thanks everyone!!! I do think that some of hers are overdone but sometimes I notice my kids eyes look dark or hard to see so I am looking to get results somewhat like hers

Here is an example of my dd!!

darluow

Its really not that hard to get great light in the eyes.

Have your subject face the lightsource. Be mindful of what is behind you. Multiplie catchlights add sparkle to the eyes. Shallow depth of field causes the viewer to focus on the eyes.

In this image of your daughter... what is she looking at? What is in front of her? If she isn't facing the light source...then her eyes will be dark.

Try to be mindful of your surroundings before you snap the shutter...and it will help you predict your results a bit better.

For me.. I am very aware of the light source. I really try to look at my subjects faces before I snap the shutter. In my workshops, I show images that I captured right as I upload them.. so no.. no photoshop "over-doing". (in fact.. you hotlinked a few examples I captured right at one of my workshops..)

By the way.... I don't own a reflector!

Hope that helps!

~A

Cuties02q wrote:

Thanks everyone!!! I do think that some of hers are overdone but sometimes I notice my kids eyes look dark or hard to see so I am looking to get results somewhat like hers

Here is an example of my dd!!

Cuties02q

Thanks for all you info I do try to have them facing the light but my daughter cannot look toward the light or she panics So I try and keep her in the shade but then her eyes seem to look dark.

cmason

Cuties02q wrote:

Thanks for all you info I do try to have them facing the light but my daughter cannot look toward the light or she panics So I try and keep her in the shade but then her eyes seem to look dark.

Yes, I went and looked at a number of my portraits, and the thing I noticed is where there is strong light, it seems impossible to keep them from squinting. So how do you get good light on the face, and on the eyes in particular, without squinting?

darluow

Cuties02q wrote:

Thanks for all you info I do try to have them facing the light but my daughter cannot look toward the light or she panics So I try and keep her in the shade but then her eyes seem to look dark.

Thats why. The eyes are dark because they are shaded. I think if you have a child that is very sensative to light.. perhaps a reflector would work better for you. Also you want to make sure they are facing ambient light... which doesn't always mean the VERY bright light.

For example.. if you are taking a child's picture..and there is a brick wall behind you...therefore the wall is what the child is facing.. then their eyes will be dark.

You want to look for open shade.

darluow

cmason wrote:

Yes, I went and looked at a number of my portraits, and the thing I noticed is where there is strong light, it seems impossible to keep them from squinting. So how do you get good light on the face, and on the eyes in particular, without squinting?

Good light doesn't equal strong light. You want to look for ambient light.

For example...when shooting outdoors...I wouldn't have a child look towards the sun (i.e. strong light...). I would rather place the sun behind my subject.. but there wouldn't be anything blocking the ambient lighting that faces my subject.

wxwax

RTP wrote:

According to Audrey, she does nothing.

Read here:

http://alwblog.typepad.com/blogging_with_audrey/2006/04/eyes.html

Man, I confess it's hard to believe. I guess I'd need to practice Audrey's technique myself.

eoren1

Welcome to dgrin Audrey!
Have to say that after reading this post, I immediately went to your site. It's a shame that all of your workshops are booked - it would be great to learn some of these techniques hands-on. I've got an 18 month old who I'm constantly trying to get this type of effect on.

Couple of questions:
From the photos on your site, it appears that the studio gets incredible light. Is it also just large white walls to act as natural reflectors and get that effect on the eyes?
As far as 'gear', I checked the exif on some photos and saw that many are with a 50mm or 85mm focal length (on the Fuji's cropped frame). Are these your main staples? I would have guessed 100-135mm lenses...

Do you have any other guides/DVDs available in lieu of attending a workshop in Chicago?
Thanks,
E

Two of my more successful attempts with my son:

Cason

Hey Audrey. Your post count is way too low to have been here for a year and half!

You have some serious talent and I know that the DGRIN community would benefit from your knowledge.

Like wxwax said, I too will be practicing this technique.

Cuties02q

OMG!!! I didn't even realize that it was you Audrey giving me advice...I cannot tell you how much I apprecaite it!!! I have admired your work for the past 2 years and I cannot tell you how dissapointed I am that your workshops are full because I would love to attend. I just really want to learn how to make their eyes pop and you do such a wonderful job

darluow

eoren1 wrote:

Welcome to dgrin Audrey!


Couple of questions:
From the photos on your site, it appears that the studio gets incredible light. Is it also just large white walls to act as natural reflectors and get that effect on the eyes?
As far as 'gear', I checked the exif on some photos and saw that many are with a 50mm or 85mm focal length (on the Fuji's cropped frame). Are these your main staples? I would have guessed 100-135mm lenses...

Do you have any other guides/DVDs available in lieu of attending a workshop in Chicago?
Thanks,
E

Love that last image of your son!

As for gear.. I have 3 camera bodies that I tend to shift through... depends on what camera I grab first out of my bag! So it is either the Nikon D200, Fuji S5, or the Nikon D2X. My favorite lens is the 85mm 1.4... I don't use the 50mm too much. It depends on the conditions I am shooting in. When on location.. some homes just don't allow me to utilize the 85mm properly because the focal length is too long.

As for my studio... its tons of windows...26 windows that are 6ft tall. I don't have many white walls...mostly reddish brick.

With DVD's...etc.. it is definitely in the works. I just can't give workshops too much anymore because my schedule just doesn't allow me to do so.

RTP - I would love to post more here! It seems like a great community. I actually just came back here after my assistant found all these hits to my blog from here...and I am sitting on the PC waiting for my next appointment to arrive!

~A

eoren1

Thanks for the kind words Audrey.
I'll definately be on the lookout for that DVD.

You should also consider looking at other areas of dgrin. There's a contest under the Contests and Challenges section going on for the 'best' photographer. I had imagined some contributions from you - especially for the latest theme (translucent...eyes). Hate to invite such a strong competitor to the contest but you may find it a lot of fun.
E

kda949

It's called appropriatly "Eye Pop"

Cuties02q wrote:

Just wondering if anyone know how this photographer gets the eyes to pop like this???

http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/25/15.jpg
http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/2_56.jpg
http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/3_40.jpg
http://alwblog.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/1_89_2.jpg

Is this ? is in the wrong place feel free to move it

It's called "Eye Pop". You do it in photoshop with a layer mask. You duplicate the layer and change the style to color dodge- or any that look good (just look at the eyes- ignore everything else). Then "Layer". "Layer Mask", "Hide all". Change your forground color to white, select a brush and start painting away at those eyeballs. The layer that you masked will start to show up. Fiddle with opasity and hardness until you get the result you want.

Here are my first attempts at it. A little overdone but fun!

http://flickr.com/photos/34792747@N00/473843403/
http://flickr.com/photos/34792747@N00/491887524/

Hope that's what your looking for!

cmason

kda949 wrote:

It's called "Eye Pop". You do it in photoshop with a layer mask. You duplicate the layer and change the style to color dodge- or any that look good (just look at the eyes- ignore everything else). Then "Layer". "Layer Mask", "Hide all". Change your forground color to white, select a brush and start painting away at those eyeballs. The layer that you masked will start to show up. Fiddle with opasity and hardness until you get the result you want.

Here are my first attempts at it. A little overdone but fun!

http://flickr.com/photos/34792747@N00/473843403/
http://flickr.com/photos/34792747@N00/491887524/

Hope that's what your looking for!

Yes, but she says she does this WITHOUT Photoshop!

Elaine

I'm soooo glad to see that Audrey W responded to the OP! I'm also a huge fan and hope to see more input from you, Audrey! Please stick around...we're not too scary around here!

Elaine

Cuties02q

Ok here is another try on my daughters eyes...what do you guys think???

Color


Black & White

saurora

Hey, much better!!!! That huge light source is the key!!! I can see her irises clearly now. Good job!

wxwax

Quite a difference, cuties, looks good!

Six Bees

Cuties02q wrote:

Ok here is another try on my daughters eyes...what do you guys think???

I think you did a great job!!!!

Cason

Big difference.

Now you need to get that DOF locked in. Her left eye is a little OOF. That's probably the result of having it at a low apereture and being pretty close to her.

This is just my observation...I noticed that majorty of Audrey's shots are straight on. Meaning that the eyes are the same distance to the sensor. If there is a slight head turn the eyes are still in focus. Probably due to being far enough from the subject and increasing the DOF.

Also, she does a good bit of camera tilts. I guess that is to give the straight on shots some flavor.

However, there is no rule to having both eyes in focus.