Sparkling bright eyes in portraits

<p>I am looking to do a shoot with a model friend that aims to have the eyes as bright as the picture in the link below and be the most prominent part of the portrait. Although, I will retouch my model's skin as she does not have freckles, I have never shot an image like this and wondered if one needs to meter for the eyes in an image like this?<br>

<a href="http://purpleport.com/portfolio/pauldale/image/914828/photographer/?type=collection&cid=44457&referrer=taz75">http://purpleport.com/portfolio/pauldale/image/914828/photographer/?type=collection&cid=44457&referrer=taz75</a><br>

I am assuming that in the above image the eyes were sharpened in Photoshop or perhaps had levels adjusted using a mask? <br>

The only portrait of mine where the model had specifically requested the eyes to be centre piece in the past was this<br>

<a href="http://purpleport.com/portfolio/taz75/image/1202036/photographer/?referrer=taz75">http://purpleport.com/portfolio/taz75/image/1202036/photographer/?referrer=taz75</a><br>

<br />Now of course this is not a particularly 'dramatic eye' portrait and the way I achieved the above was to ensure that the reflector was throwing as much light into the eyes as possible. It was a particularly overcast day so no need to worry about shadows. I also added a selected layer of light to darken the areas outside of her face to accentuate the gaze towards her eyes.<br>

I don't want to do too much work in Photoshop and want to get as much of it right in camera, if possible. For portrait work I shoot with an old crop sensor Sony A450. Mostly shoot with the plastic Sony 85mm 2.8 which gets to 127mm in my camera. When I am looking for ultra sharpness and even better Bokeh, I use an old OM mount Zuiko 100mm 2.8 lens set to f4.<br>

Any helpful suggestion to emulate the first photograph would be very much appreciated.</p>

 

<p>On my screen, at least, the picture above has been highly saturated, especially the eyes - to me it looks waaay overdone. However, on a practical note, you can select your model's eyes and sharpen them a little more than the rest of her face, as well as lightly increase saturation to make them stand out.</p>

<p>Stephen, thanks for that. Useful tip. I may try that personally on a test portrait as a technique.<br>

The first image is way over done for general photography sites and for my taste, but fits in very well with the taste of the specialist model portrait site where it has won a 'front page image' accolade. </p>

No special metering is necessary. Start off with a pretty face and beautiful light eye and your 80% there. The rest is in

photoshop masking the eyes and lighting the eyes with curves or whatever method you choose. There is some

adjustment to contrast as well. The second shot is also a photoshop job just creating a vignette.

Hi Michael,

Thanks for that. The second shot is mine and is only mentioned to point out that I have not done anything like the first one before!

Thanks.

<p>Heres a quick adjustment on your photo</p><div></div>

<p>Hi Michael, thanks but the above really does not work for me sadly!</p>

<p>It wasn't meant to be. You have to first take the picture with your intent in mind then do the work afterwards. I was just making a point with what I had to work with.</p>

<p>Here is my version of Bright eyes.</p><div></div>

<p>Second version. The sky is the limit to what you can do. I don't like to push it too far.</p><div></div>

<p>Having your camera slightly higher than models face gives a perspective emphasizing eyes. It also make a person look slightly up - eyes open wider - but watch out for wrinkles on forehead, do not go too high.</p>

<p>Mike, they are both lovely examples!</p>

<p>To get a good eyes on the photo, you need to:<br /> - have a model with big bright eyes, possibly with an interesting texture of iris<br /> - have a lot of constant light directly into model's eyes (to make their irises to contract)<br /> - make a shot that puts emphasis on eyes, i.e. makes them prominent part of the image. And no, it doesn't matter a single bit whether it's shot from above, or below, or from the side of the model, so long as the eyes are the key point of your image<br /> - do some simple postprocess - enhancing contrast and clarity, pumping up the vibrance. Don't overdo it - as a side note I have to say the level of plastic-android-skin on the examples above make my skin crawl in a not good sort of way.<br /> Here's a simple headshot to illustrate:<br /> <img src="http://imageshack.com/a/img911/6904/0KoXk3.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Nice picture Marcin! The Eyes Have it! </p>