the eyes have it

When in doubt, I go searching for the tiny details. I turn my focus on something small, something revealing. Closer closer, let me closer into a piece of you. This has always been my way of making life look clean. Making life look neat and tidy when it is anything but. Get closer closer to crop out the distractions that keep you from the truth.

Because this is the truth of the matter: he blocks me out now, this five year old. He doesn't allow the intrusion of lens anymore. Not as much as he used to. And I respect that of him but I find myself lonesome for this connection. He and me sandwiched between a glass lens, the most vulnerable and trusting place to be. When he grants me permission I am all tongue hanging out like a puppy eager to please, to snatch up this piece of his heart he so generously offered. And when he does, and the image is sealed in pixels or film, all our moments sitting creekside come rushing back. All the goodness and sunshine and raw emotions of the day come spilling out from behind a solitary blue iris. Perhaps because he shields himself now is why i have begun to cherish these images so much more.

So, today, because I just can't get my fill of it... show me your eyes. Yours, his, hers, theirs. They are beautiful and full of wonder, and they are more revealing than we ever acknowledge.

And to celebrate Giveaway May leave your comment (by Thursday night at midnight Central Time) to be entered for a chance to win your choice of one 5x7 fine art print from my etsy shop!

...........

Congratulations to Kate S. @ Little House who won the print of her choice!

Comments

[cinco_mom]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/37719283@N04/3819597977/in/set-72157622251600269/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37719283@N04/4440583080/in/set-72157622251600269/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37719283@N04/4290692392/in/set-72157623198923868/
i love eyes too. eyes and hands. i think they say so much about a person. they have stories to tell. dreams, desires, hurts and hopes. they crinkle up when you laugh, sparkle when you know something special and cry when you're sad. here are a few of my eye shots to share. :)
xo

[ella de roeck]

The birth of my son transformed my passion from admiring others' photographs to taking photographs myself. Your post reminds me to make the most of his early year eagerness to say 'cheese' and be photographed everyday. Thank you xo

[Vanessa]

from my "people" set, they are all strangers to me:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/2881446663/in/set-72157607451011710/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3564985622/in/set-72157607451011710/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3618558135/in/set-72157607451011710/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3886682385/in/set-72157607451011710/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3887460950/in/set-72157607451011710/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/4127271039/in/set-72157607451011710/

...but i look at these shots and i truly believe that their eyes are the window to their souls.

[ella de roeck]

sorry i forgot to add photo!...his eyes:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/47392844@N02/4347044684/in/set-72157623425105711/

[AngieS]

My four year-old son still lets me take his photo almost all of the time. I dread the day that he tires of my camera and starts to refuse me most of the time!! But more than that I dread the day when he thinks he is "too big" for kisses and cuddles from Mummy...I pray that neither day ever comes!! Thank you for a chance to win one of your beautiful prints, I have had my eye on one in particular for a while now.

[Becky Sue]

I'm new to Shutter Sisters thanks to Picture Spring. One of our prompts was 'Catch Lights' and because of this prompt I was able to take two of my favorite shots of my kids... Gatorade lip stains and all... that I now have framed and on a wall.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/4509163072/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rslaflam/4509163122/

[erika]

My oldest son has lashes that beg for mascara. But they're also full of light & where he stores his emotions. I'm starting to think I need a macro just for his eyes.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/onemoreplease/4351620681/

[Julie Alvarez]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/4204282380/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/4236613581/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3355712668/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3531798779/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3531791843/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/3035966741/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2863376846/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2775698356/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2861369940/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2860539695/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliealvarez/2832253450/
OK, I need to stop. It's just that I love this subject.

[Kelley Loredo]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25767332@N05/4580654229/

I am with you. The eyes do it every time - and it's hard to get one of kids (especially mine who are 2!).

[shutterboo]

Eyes of the canine kind: http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterboo502/4491291582/in/set-72157623662855941/

[Eren]

Caught this one of my little guy just this morning...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vintagechica/4581290904/

[mary]

Oh what a beautiful image, and such a poignant, well written post.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9068078@N05/4581299782/

[georgia]

what a sweet shot... love the hint of the hat you included.

i know what you mean about little kids not cooperating with having their picture taken when they reach a certain age. none of my nephews, nor my niece let me take their pics anymore. here are their eyes back when they used to let me take them, though.
http://itsjusthowiseethings.blogspot.com/search?q=i+heart+faces

i always read your posts and can't wait to see what you write about. but the title of today's really caught my eye {no pun intended}. i had started a little photo project called lookers and leapers and also made a separate blog for it. in the side bar of the blog, i put an image of the book cover to a book my sister gave me for my birthday called "jump", as it is one of the inspirations to the leapers portion of this project. so i wanted to see if there was a photography book for or about eyes that i could purchase and add to the side bar as my inspiration for the lookers portion. i was surprised when i found nothing... no books of or about photography of eyes. so i thought to myself, i'll just have to put one out some day {if i ever get good enough}. and when i would think about what i could call it, the title "the eyes have it" kept coming to mind. : )

here is one of my good friend's eyes from that project:
http://lookers-leapers.blogspot.com/2010/02/1-sandy.html

[kristin]

oh yes i so feel this post.
i too get in close to hush out all the noise.
and when you capture the eye just right you really can see the soul.

after school tim is now so precious to me. what i miss most now that he is in school, is just the simple touching that happens in a day. the hugs, the kisses, the brushing my fingers through his hair, it was such an integral part of my everyday, so when he is away from me i miss these simple human touches. usually whne he gets home he wants to run and play in the yard, but yesterday it was raining and a thunderstrom was brewing. we went inside and laid on his bed with the windows open and just watched and listened and i snuggled up close and captured he and i together. in one shot i felt like i oculd swim in the blue waves of his eye and i was so happy for it. now each time i see this shot i will remember the rain and the cold air rushing in the open window and us just sitting their connecting.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/14811117@N02/4578865281/

[karen]

This is an amazing portrait. I love how his hair sweeps to the side and the texture of the hat. Of course, my favorite part is that beautiful eye!

[Darlene]

Your posts are so moving. So real. I appreciate your humanness - your honesty.
Your son is one lucky boy. You are both very blessed to be in each others' lives. Gorgeous image to portray his beauty.

I have so many "eye" images it was hard to choose. Here's one I really love.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whimsicalyearsphotography/4581331686/

[melissa]

Great composition! Love the glimpse of hat.

[spencercasa]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23196640@N03/4519490160/in/set-72157623898060338/

i love eye pictures! this is of my 4 year-old daughter.

[chris]

I like pics where the eyes pop!
http://cldavisphotos.blogspot.com/2010/04/she-allowed-me-to-take-her-photo.html

[Joelle]

Beautiful post! I think I could shoot eyes all day! Here's one of my daughter:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jsliedtke/3680424336/in/set-72157621290603807/

[Tracy]

such a sweet photo and lovely words today.

here are my eyes: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31417716@N00/4253446066/

[Kimi]

http://journeysblog.shutterfly.com/kids/1781

They are not related. :)

[Kelly Langner Sauer]

I took a walk with my macro lens and my two kids. An unlikely lens for a walk, but oh, the lovely intimacy...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellylangnersauer/4524787702/

[Jamie]

Here's a young one with old-timey looking eyes:

http://camerashy.tinycorners.com/index.php?showimage=317

[Karyn]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kayak57/3746941149/in/set-72157613625770523/

my niece. she rocks. =)

[Bostongaljm]

Eyes have it is right! Love the eyes of all children especially.

http://bostongirlontheverge.blogspot.com/2010/05/eyes-are-windows-to-soul.html

[Michel]

What a cutie! the eyes say it all!!

http://www.wishfulthinkingblog.com/wishful-thinking/2010/2/28/my-love.html

[Denise]

My beautiful nephew:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deniselivingston/4580131422/

[AnnGeeDee]

Luckily, my son and daughter both inherited my husband's gorgeous lashes, though their eye color couldn't be more opposite:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40070449@N08/4282602456/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40070449@N08/4508761558/

[Angella]

I had to put my daughter in makeup for her ballet photos:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ourcrazylife/4553051188/

I am DOOMED when she's a teenager.

[Leslie]

Oh wow, beautiful image! Lovely eyes..http://lesliephoto.blogspot.com/

[Tracy Sutherland]

I love this one that I took this last winter. This shot is actually on my mental list to retake because I love the cropping and expression and framing but not the dark shadow across her face.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/konehead/4293596832/in/set-72157604447456657/

[tara]

such sparkly eyes! and i don't know what i'll do when my little guy tires of being in front of my lens.

here's one i snapped with my old camera. i could stare at those eyes for hours...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/impossibletask/4548820213/in/set-72157623263372096/

[Trude]

Love that shot! I can only get so close with my fave nifty fifty lens, and I loved how the boy's eyes turned out in this recent shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/trudem/4580662146/

[Vanessa]

i posted a comment with some portraits of strangers earlier today but it never showed up :(
anyway, this is one of my faves:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vanessa_r/3618558135/in/set-72157607451011710/

what is it they say? "the eyes are the window to the soul"

[xanthe]

yes, what beautiful eye's your boy has.

mine has a different shade of blue.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xantheberkeley/4581285275/

lovely post x.

[Mary]

Our little dog Murphy had been through so much before he came into our lives. Although now he is a wonderfully spoiled and treasured member of our family, sometimes I still see something in his eyes and hope he knows how much we love him and will protect him...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/infaithphotography/4581937392/

[Monybean]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/monybean/4537680471/

Its all in the eyes ;)

[Burcin]

Beautiful picture! One can almost see your reflection through his eye. :)

[wendy jane]

Love to capture those eyes...

especially my 5 year old... http://www.flickr.com/photos/awebert/4581427987/

[Leslie]

love eyes. they say so much! here's my one year old :)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/88306478@N00/4579160134/

[Kate.S @ Little House]

I'm just learning how to make the most of eyes, in camera and in pp..

Here's my second born...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30297021@N02/3346950395/in/photostream/

[Bree]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bleach226/437302803/

An older one... but still I love it.

[Heather]

do four-eyes count?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/htekmo/4312303104/in/set-72157605111921383/

[treemama]

i'm amazed sometimes at how sometimes a partial portrait can say so much, my girl.....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/metreesandgirls/4582334672/

[Diane]

When I'm photographing people, I'm always looking to capture the eyes. I never post client photos at Flickr, however, so here is an eye at Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27458974@N00/4582358124/

and here is one of my recent client images, over on my photo journal:
http://www.dianeschuller.com/blog/?p=2355

EYE see you :~)

[Cindi]

The eyes are almost as interesting as hands to me.
http://southern-exposures-cjbarker.blogspot.com/2010/04/chelseas-eye.html

[Natasha]

I love this shot, it says so much more than one would expect. I love those moments with my children too, and as my son likes those moments less and less, I treasure them that much more.

[Jane]

The eye has so much depth and interest--a path to one's soul! Love it.

I love capturing eyes, hands, and feet. Here's a recent fave eye capture:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gardengramma/4560394818/

[lucy]

can eyelashes (with sparkles) be the window to the soul?

http://bighugelabs.com/onblack.php?id=4373212612