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Superhero Photo Challenge: Eyes closed

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I love this photo of my friend Jonatha. I think a lot of the sweetness is in her smile but the fact that her eyes are closed adds an extra special intimacy. It feels like you're in on a little secret, a private moment or inside joke...I am surprised by how intimate photos with eyes closed can be.

As you've already guessed, this week I challenge you to take a portrait with your subject's eyes closed. Because I just recently saw the Annie Leibowitz show: A Photographer's Life and I am now convinced that she is the best portrait photographer on earth, I will share a oouple of her photos for inspiration with this theme. I also found some beautiful shots with eyes closed on Jesh De Rox's blog.

As usual, please leave a link to your photo and if you are using flickr, please tag your photo with superhero photo challenge.

Posted on Friday, March 14, 2008 by Registered CommenterAndrea Scher in , | Comments72 Comments

Reader Comments (72)

I just took some portraits yesterday and got some fun eyes closed shots. You can see one of them here http://pictureofmyworld.com/?p=1041

Great challenge idea!
March 14, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterJessie
Beautiful picture. I will think more about taking eyes closed shots after seeing that and the links you have posted!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esabet/2332419874/in/set-72157604115135213/
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterElizabeth
I saw the Annie Leibowitz exhibit along with an Ansel Adams exhibit over Thanksgiving in D.C. It blew me away. I'll keep this eyes closed method in mind.
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterdivrchk
What beautiful photos! I don't usually try to get a shot with someone's eyes closed on purpose, but you have made me think differently about it!

I did, however, take this shot not too long ago because it was the first time (ever) this little guy was still enough for me to get a good picture of him:

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#7
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterShelli
I love when a smile is so big that you can't even keep your eyes open. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/keriart/2334309051/in/pool-shuttersisters
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKeri
i love this one of my son, the boys always get the lashes don't they.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35959139@N00/2323967975/
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterleigh
These eyes were closed on purpose...my boys love to 'ham' it up in front of the camera!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23084493@N04/2334388875/?eOrig=2335205682
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterTracie
I never thought about it that way, but you're right. Closed eyes can definitely add some intimacy to a photo.

I think it kind of works here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23132596@N07/2335161688/
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterKaren G
here's a self portrait I took yesterday, not even knowing about the challenge. I must be psychic! http://www.flickr.com/photos/23478522@N05/sets/72157604124683025/
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered Commenterelizabeth laufer
Great picture and post. I think I will have to try this more.

Here are a couple of shots

Sleeping baby: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24035778@N04/2335240836/

Special moment: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24035778@N04/2335239934/
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMelissa
This is from 7 months ago, I rarely do self portraits, though as I age I'd like to do more, but this one was from an attempt to document what turning 30 looked and felt like. We are moving today or I would revel in taking this challenge head on but since I doubt the time will be mine I will contribute an old shot none the less because I love the concept so much...it is so true about the intimacy factor.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/2335270998/
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered Commentersummer
Umm...I'm soooo jealous that you are friends with Jonatha Brooke!!! What a great shot. Annie's photos are amazing-I have the honor of knowing a woman who was her developer for years and I got to see many photos up close & personal in her (not Annie's) studio and in her private collection.

Here is my photo-my favorite subject, my son. Taken the other day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74752856@N00/2332241830/

March 15, 2008 | Unregistered Commentercuzamora
Oh, Jonatha just exudes joy! Love her - I first came to her music when I was around 16, and my dad took me to see The Story at a small old theatre in Tampa.

Here's mine, another 'eyes closed in laughter' shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/apartmentlife/2306863506/in/pool-shuttersisters
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMelanie
I took this a while back, but i love how their closed eyes and tender smiles speak volumes about their friendship, and how happy they are to simply be sat in each other's company...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkonmyfingers/1895349995/in/set-72157594421691609/
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterSusannah
I took this one several weeks ago:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrs-eaves/2335499130/in/pool-shuttersisters

I usually tend to delete ones with closed eyes, but I liked this one.
Thanks for the post and challenge -- I will be looking for more closed-eye opportunities now!
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterMrs. Eaves
As part of the 7 days self portrait project I just took this one of me and my husband: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gingerlane/2329375946/in/set-72157600024712096/ I happen to love it so much I'm bummed I caught it with a camera phone!
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered CommenterElaine


I find it hard to take photos with eyes shut as i feel like it totally shuts off the soul. Here are a couple though....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2056221430/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2335022225/

ok, so one isn't quite closed but it was fun!!!


Nicky xxx
March 15, 2008 | Unregistered Commenternicky thomas
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