Defiance. Sadness. The tiniest smile. Hope.
I have no idea what this girl was thinking when I snapped this picture, but I recognize the contours of my own soul in those oceans of eyes, in the way she sees into me with boldness and calm. I have thought of her a hundred times since then, wondering what she wanted to tell me, wondering why the headmistress would not translate for her, when so many other girls were given their say.
Sometimes our pictures capture a moment, other times an emotion. This picture captures the proverbial thousand words. I am waiting for the day when that look can become an honest exchange between two human beings who share so many things. I am waiting for the day when my own thousand words convey in her own language how much she stays with me, how much my heart is changed every day by the things she could not say.
+++++++
What photo this Friday focuses on the eyes, the window to some dear one’s soul? Let us see your shots and sit in the beauty of everything left unsaid.
Words unsaid
leap of the lips
into your heart__
find voice in you.
funni just posted "windows to the soul" a few days back. i find it hard to capture the depth in the eyes. this one shot i got was just right of my son’s dark blue soulful eyes.
http://mainemomma.blogspot.com/2008/07/windows-to-soul.html
A small friend of ours, peeking up over the sofa:
http://amanda.smugmug.com/gallery/4914435_Uz9yK/1/293512114_npMhd/Medium
My son’s eyes…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laurahealy/2580461291/
i like the comment someone left – she’s got stars in her eyes:
http://flickr.com/photos/23558661@N03/2573545528/
My daughter’s beautiful eyes peaking out from behind her latest sewing creation. Her eyes, to me, speak of beauty and openness to the world.
http://fimby.tougas.net/Celine_Isabella
Here is my take on it. I took it a little while ago but I think it really feels like the window into my soul.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephd123/2553084112/
that is a gorgeous picture, so telling, leaving me with so many questions. when i look at my son these days i see and feel many things
http://www.flickr.com/photos/camerashymomma/2669255870/
This my little boy…..not so little anymore!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2672988660_23b6305486_b.jpg
sometimes i like to think the eyes say more when they look away…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashleydano/2536055777/in/set-72157605341748231/
those eyes are just so captivating…
This photo moves me. It captures so many emotions in one single shot. A beautiful masterpiece…
That is a powerful image, Jen. Wow.
Here’s a shot that made my heart skip a beat when I saw it on the LCD: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sierraromeo/2635156657/in/set-72157605965823480/
I often wonder what my poor dogs think of me and my camera, constantly shooting them. But on this particular occasion, I feel like I know what this animal was thinking–"Get out of my face, or the click-y thing is going to get it!"
http://www.flickr.com/photos/blackbird13/2633792269/in/set-72157606086633904/
I love this look!
http://bp0.blogger.com/_6Tw0UjllaUo/SInh3bD4x0I/AAAAAAAAAYg/Jwtf0ykaFt4/s1600-h/DSCN0670.JPG
I agree, what a beautiful and emotional photo.
Here’s mine, of my youngest boy, the only one with dark brown eyes. You’d think I’d rather show my blue-eyed ones, but this guy’s look was so great…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thethiers/2639643706/
That is a really wonderful photo.
My middle guy is the shy one and has the most expressive eyes. I often wonder what he is thinking.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/veridianblue/2678506919/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/edarcy/2692895343/
..because sometimes, when pure happiness erupts from within-the eyes disappear in their own form of a smile..
I am at peace. I am happy within. I am in love.
Wow, that is a very moving photo! Just wonderful.
I like to try and capture photos of people when they are off in their own world and I wonder what they are thinking.
http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/05/18/rewarding-bad-behavior/
http://www.wineonthekeyboard.com/2008/04/14/sometimes-i-spy/
So many photos have this connection. Probably the single biggest reason I keep doing it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonyadoughty/1151734325/
Jen, your photo is beautiful and haunting. I love the story that goes with it, too.
I love this assigment. I love taking pictures of faces. I had two in mind for this post and couldn’t decide:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobaby2/2626865541/in/set-72157605919727260/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tangobaby2/2627681892/in/set-72157605919727260/
http://flickr.com/photos/lawyermama/2643902411/
She’s so gorgeous. And that doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Here’s my little thousand words in a photo submission, only I tried to sum it up nicely for you!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25773211@N07/2700931303/
Stunning photograph. It really is a picture that tells 1000 words.
Here’s one of mine:
http://www.marciescudderphotography.com/index.php?showimage=465
gorgeous shot! And so full of wondering what’s going on inside her head. Lovely.
I’m captivated by eyes. It’s my specialty when I draw a portrait and sometimes I can capture them with my point and shoot. I look forward to the day I get an SLR and can really get close up. Here’s one of my youngest I did manage to capture.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carrielouise/2207555612/
Yes, the image is powerful and beautiful and haunting but so you are your 157 perfect words accompanying it, jen. (Yes, I counted them).
Seeing the world through their eyes.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cheryldoran-girard/2669504411/
What a captivating photo.
I wouldn’t characterize this guy as a dear one, but his eyes were mesmerizing:
http://www.melandloys.com/blog/2008/7/25/window-to-the-soul.html
our rescued dog sam says so much each day with out uttering a word., a wag of his tail, nudge of his cold nose, although here is using the newspaper to speak for him!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sammymom/2700903303/
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1143/532192902_cc86230ee2_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2702015856_6a296c9171_b.jpg
I’m a newbie, but love these eyes.
ack! sorry, forgot to add the pic
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2701252333_066f1d01b3.jpg
I used this as a post a few weeks back but it’s fitting for today as well…
http://flickr.com/photos/25744047@N03/2612649379/
That is just such an amazing photograph . . . beautiful job . . .
Stunning photo.
My recent favorite, the eyes and smile working together = pure joy and happiness!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/voris/2612782626/
I think she was thinking "I’m having my picture taken, I’m glad my sweater is so blue, how did I get it so blue?"
Full of so much love her lil’ eyes are about to POP!
http://flickr.com/photos/stephwiese/2701801595/
And, lastly…this is what happens when the family gets together for Christmas at the farm and when you add an ugly sweater contest and "well water" into the mix. Their eyes… well, they could say a number of things at this point!
Oops! Here is the link!
http://flickr.com/photos/stephwiese/2702625990/
Love the post.
Zoe is always looking for something, even when she’s doing something else. I wonder what does she think…:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2693514104/
Your picture tells a story like no other. I am in awe…
Here is one I love. When I saw her looking back at me, I knew this was the shot of the entire session: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ldb/1501452492/in/set-72157594343098218/
My niece’s eyes…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25753692@N06/2702792912/
I took a photo of my friend’s dog recently and I just love the expression in her eyes, which goes something like *sigh, if only that string cheese were in my belly, I’d be the happiest dog ever*
Beautiful post and photo, Jen.
http://wonderingsandwanderings.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/having-it-all/
this was the first thing i thought of when i read this post.
and that photograph is amazing! what a beautiful child.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/28987938@N00/2372125728/in/set-72157603850173540/
A friend; she was so sad that afternoon. . .
http://flickr.com/photos/80585094@N00/2702184273/
I know I posted just a moment ago, but as I was looking through my Flickr, I came across this one as well. She just has the most incredible eyes, we wonder how long they’ll stay this way.
http://flickr.com/photos/80585094@N00/2596961852/
Jen, this is a beautiful image. My goodness, look at those eyes.
These eyes speak to me. A woman blessed:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/littlepurplecow/2609751088/in/set-72157603437298498/
incredible photo – her eyes just draw you in
Miss Mona Lisa of Green.
http://www.sharrock.net/2008/07/green-green-green.html
What a captivating photo! Those eyes really do speak a thousand words.
http://www.dolcepics.com/dailypic/just-ducky/
Here is my submission. I just returned from a trip to Nicaragua and can not get this little girl out of my head. I never want to forget her or her amazing story.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagechica/2694665708/in/photostream/
here is my little guy…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/iheartjimmyhank/2291005787/
Bridget
at
http://mamabelly.blogspot.com/
http://creativevoyage.blogspot.com/2007/05/miss-b-at-mildreds-in-lexington-st-feb.html
I think it shows some of the sadness behind my friends face
Dear Jen ~ I cannot wait for the gallery show with all of your gorgeous African photographs! I cannot wait for the book! I cannot wait for the world to see, change and become a better place with more people like you in it! xo