Eye Contact and Expression

24/4/14

I set the tripod up to make eye contact and capture the facial expressions of my daughter as I sat and talked to her. I did this exercise a couple of times - once using her head and shoulders and once using a full body in a sitting position.

All images 1/250 F4 ISO100 EFL64mm

In this image my daughter was watching something happening outside of the frame. Her eyes show clearly the direction of her gaze even as a full length shot. It adds a little action to the image.

In this image, my daughter was laughing. Her body position changed slightly - her shoulders became raised and eye contact is with me. I like this image.

My daughter was looking down which shows a more thoughtful, reflective pose. 

Reviewing the images on the back of my camera, I was concerned about the depth of field using a large aperture and wondered how much of the subjects face was in focus. I was aware that the limitation of my camera meant the focal plane was not very accurate when the focus was not in the centre. I experimented with the camera using a smaller aperture.

All images 1/14 F8 ISO100 EFL128mm

In this image, my daughter made eye contact with me with a questioning face. It was a more natural looking face and is quietly reflective or listening.

My daughter was looking straight at me and smiling. Her eyes were very visible.

In this frame, my daughter was watching something happening outside of the frame. I think it shows quite a good eye line. Her eyes do not become involved with her hair so it looks quite natural.

In this my daughter Alex  is looking out of the frame the other way. Because her hair acts as a barrier to stop her seeing in that direction, I think it looks less natural. 

In conclusion, to answer my own question, I think F8 worked as well as F4 when viewed at 100%. I don't think either detract from the image. Enough is in focus to give the image impact. However, reviewing these shots was enough to make me pick up the full frame camera we have.

On reflection, I felt that my images had captured facial expression but not gesture. 

Visiting Hardwick Hall one afternoon, my son, (who does not like having his photo taken), decided to come through a little opening in a stone building. This framed his face body and hands nicely. I was stood on tiptoes leaning into the building looking down on him which altered the perspective a little and supported the camera lens on the wall. I cropped out the ledge in the first few images. The result was more action packed and my son was pleased with the result. 

Eyes looking up at me, head tilted down - face full of mischief. Hands on outside of stonework as he was just testing out the hole.

Happy, smiley shot. Head tilted upwards so at less of an angle due to perspective. hands still on outside of stonework.

Here he starts to move inside. I like the position of the hands with no face. Legs bent to enter building. I think hands are an important part of gesture.

Face framed by hands. Head at an angle. Eyes really wide. Legs bent for action.

Hands now on inside of building. Facial expression of surprise at seeing me. Eyes still wide. Catchlights in centre of eyes. The colour of Josh's eyes has not been manipulated, but this is an image where they could be made bluer to enhance them.

 Eyes scrunched up showing wrinkles and expression. Eyes closed. 

I like the way Josh's hands remained flat throughout the shoot. This was entirely natural.