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I'm having trouble keeping my eyes sparkly or expressive eyes for photos, especially if I am stiffly holding a pose for awhile while waiting for the photographer to adjust, etc.
Photographers have commented that my eyes are extremely expressive while I am talking to them, but go a little dead/lazy in photos. I'm sure that this is not a new challenge. Anyone have any tips for keeping eyes exciting, or having more control over your gaze in general? Dec 25 18 05:41 pm Link It's in large part the photographer's responsibility to catch the "expression" in the eyes when it's there. This is because your eyes will look wide and sparkly when the light hits them in certain ways. The photographers should be helping you with head posing, and watching how the light is interacting with your eyes at different angles. Getting bright sparkly eyes is mostly angles, watching the light, directing the model into head positions and poses that bring out the eyes. A lot can be done in post as well, to brighten highlights in the eyes, exaggerate colors, wideness and particular eye features. Dec 25 18 05:49 pm Link Ivy Wild wrote: Try closing your eyes until the photographer is ready to start shooting again.
Dec 26 18 12:30 am Link I guess I'm not looking for sparkly so much, as I am looking to keep expression in my eyes. They often have a dead/lazy look I am trying to avoid. I think it does came from staring/waiting a bit too long for the camera click. Dec 26 18 06:48 pm Link You do have extremely expressive eyes (and they are a part of an extremely expressive face, which is part of it). A lot of photographers will disagree with me here but you might try simply "relaxing" into the pose once its set.by that I mean hold the pose but let your muscles relax a bit in position. Try to give yourself a little story, consistent with the pose, to act out in your mind (without grimacing or making faces) If you can do that, what you are feeling will express itself in tiny ways throughout your eyes, your face and your entire body. And then your photographer will congratulate himself for getting the settings right.  Really, actors do it all the time. It's a learnable skill. Remind me of this post when we finally get our schedules together and we can spend some time working on itDec 29 18 06:38 pm Link Once you figure out the trick, let me know. ;-)
I find I can teach models how to pose, but can't seem to teach them how to emote well during a shot. I built a mood board for them to show emotions I think are powerful (note some are 18+): https://www.pinterest.com/ristudiola/ex … etslf=4472 but at this point I wonder if some models simply have a far more expressive face than others... if it's something that can't be taught so much as is just either there or isn't there. I don't know. I got a chance to work with this model: https://www.modelmayhem.com/3797541 and it feels like most of the photos from the shoot have that 'expressive, model look' that I like. But I don't know how much of that is her trying to be expressive, and how much is that she just has great genes. Maybe it's a matter of both. Dec 29 18 07:14 pm Link Ivy Wild wrote: It sounds boring (and it is!!!) but I still count "One, two, three." when I am working with models. This allows the model to relax and just put the expressive face/eyes on for a brief time instead of trying to hold it. I've also used a trick to fool those who have a tendency to blink when the camera fires, I count "One, two (click!), three." and take the picture before they have a chance to blink. It is not our natural human tendency to hold an expression for more than a very brief moment. I would never expect a model to do that, I prefer natural expressions that don't look forced. Dec 30 18 07:21 pm Link Ivy Wild wrote: I think it's in large part on the photographer to direct you in the right way. You can't know what your eyes look like because you're not the one looking through the lens. Jan 03 19 05:49 pm Link Royal House Photography wrote: Well they do direct me. They tell me to bring more expression into my eyes. Jan 06 19 05:26 pm Link As much as anything, what you’re talking about is maintaining a mood. You are actually assuming the mood to be created in a particular shoot. When there’s a lull in the pace of a shoot, it’s difficult to maintain a mood.
When the pace is fairly rapid, often the photographer and model become caught up in the shoot, as the pace builds to a climax, a point at which there’s a shot every few seconds. That’s one of the biggest adrenalin rushes in photography. That may last for a minute or two, and then it’s over. It’s during that minute or two that most of the best shots come. If you didn’t get the shot then, you aren’t going to get it. Time for the next wardrobe change and the next set. One of my favorite models can provide more than 20 quality poses (and expressions) per minute (ppm), and we’re not talking about just changing the position of a hand or arm between shots. (I’ve checked the time stamps on my images.) If I say “don’t move” before a shot (because I want to change my position slightly and shoot the same pose from a different vantage point), she can hold a pose and an expression for several seconds if necessary. Most models can’t do that, and they shouldn’t be expected to. It takes years of constant shooting to reach that point. Twenty ppm is a little fast for me. I need to refocus and quickly check the edges and corners (to make sure that I’m not chopping off any fingers or toes and that any horizontal or vertical lines are straight) between shots. If her arms are close to her body, and then she extents them, I might have to zoom out and refocus a second time. So about 15-16 ppm is my limit. The photographer should do any preliminary tests shots necessary and be able to handle a pace of at least 12ppm – without looking at the LCD screen or changing his settings after every shot. If he can’t do that, he’s going to miss a lot of shots. There’s no way around it. It’s especially difficult to maintain a mood when basically nothing is happening. In other words, I blame the photographer for your situation. If there are frequent “breaks in the mood,” it’s difficult to keep the mood. If things are moving at a snail’s pace, as someone else mentioned, you can close your eyes and then reopen them. You can look at a few different spots around the room and then try to recapture the mood and the expression. You can “shake” your body, hands and arms out to relax muscles (including facial muscles) that are beginning to atrophy. Recapturing the mood is the most difficult part. Btw, one thing the aforementioned model can’t do is go back and repeat the last pose. When I’ve asked her to do that, she asks, “What was it?” I don’t even do that anymore, because it breaks the rhythm and mood of the shoot. She’s like a chess player – always thinking 6-7 poses ahead. Jan 09 19 06:06 pm Link Even one of the most famous film director in the world said something similar about actors as your photographer said to you. Film dir: The actors are fine when we chat but then some get on set and lose being real by acting. So it is a common in all walks of life..freezing up, not comfortable, lost etc.
So for models I've been suggesting you need to approach a shoot as an entertainer not passive. An entertainer usually has physical energy, has fun playing at what they are doing, most often moves around and jokes and has a good imagination. It may be best to be overly animated when on set to be loud, a bit silly/goofy to jump up and down (like an athlete does to get the energy flowing), sing a song you love..say some lines from your fave book movie and FEEL the emotions/reasons why they are your favorite. This way you wont have a blank look . Of course you may upon getting to your spot need to internalize all of this and calm down physically but not necessarily mentally and the mind can make you eyes sparkle. Did you ever laugh out loud before smiling at the camera? It generally produces a better smile and even if you dont have to smile for the photo it wakes you up (eyes as well).also the photographer or the camera can be your acting scene partner actually audibly speak to him/her/it between shots. The best way a model can improve is to take acting lessons (despite what the famous dir said above) Acting teaches you to often live in a pretend world where things make you emotional that normally wouldnt. hope this helps. PS..Expressive of what? what emotion or state of mind. Be expressive with out some kind of specifics is too general. Sadness(think of a dead pet), intrigued - think of a mystery, sexy think of a dead pet- no just joking , mysterious ( a secret you want to reveal but wont) etc Mar 23 19 12:26 am Link I have only worked with one model who had extremely beautiful eyes.
I love her photos! Mar 23 19 12:43 am Link LONDON Photo Art wrote: I think that eye makeup is important - eye liner and shadow. And then, of course, lips and the overall expression in the face. Mar 23 19 03:28 am Link For the OP, read this: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public … strabismus
It does appear you have a right eye that is looking somewhere else, imho. Maybe farsightedness, or some astigmatism thing going on too. Might right eye has some new astigmatism matter with my old glasses Rx and I have to use my left to focus the camera as the right does wander a bit to where it focuses better. Maybe some eyestrain looking at our devices for too long too. If I'm in PS too long, I know getting outside causes me some sort of double or crossed vision issues as I suspect my eye muscles have parked into some PS position and gotten stuck there until re-trained in the outdoors. Doc has said get away from the screen every 20 minutes, but who does. He gave me some Rx for computer screen glasses that does help though. Sometimes it's best to not look straight into the camera if your eyes wander. Some have the ability to disconnect with the camera and their images will look better than the "Deer caught in headlights" matter. Mar 23 19 09:21 am Link I find it better to carry on a conversation with the model while shooting. If I want an exact pose it's mostly for the body and not necessarily for the head and eyes. So I may tell a model to not move any part of the body but DO move the head slightly and the eyes, mouth, hair around a tiny bit here and there. The slightest change in expression, tilt of head, movement of eyes can totally alter the image. So from one pose of the body I can then go through and pick the best expression to go with the pose. Very seldom do I ask a model to keep the head perfectly still for any length of time. Mar 23 19 09:57 am Link i tell my models to think of something i.e. funny, sad. sexy. alluring. whatever look we are going for. When you think of something, it shows through your eyes. You need to have a connection with the photographer. We talk between shots, Its a two way street. A good photographer will interact with his/her models.
Its something you want to improve then practice in front of a mirror. Set up a scenario in your head and try to achieve the look. Eyes are the windows to your soul. Mar 24 19 04:39 am Link Mar 24 19 07:13 am Link I think you either have a connection with the camera or your don't. Some things just can't be taught. You need to be able to emote with eyes open or eyes closed. Mar 28 19 02:07 pm Link Mark wrote: I second this advice. Modeling is a form of acting.
Mar 29 19 09:13 pm Link Madison Mayne wrote: I definitely agree. Some people just have some natural or innate characteristic that makes them stand out and I don't think a lot of classes will ever help.
Mar 30 19 09:21 am Link Send me pics, I can do anything to your eyes. I can make them sparkle like stars on a black velvet background. I can also make them as big as donuts, I can make your lips bigger than Mick Jagger's and Steven Tyler's put together.. Mar 30 19 11:14 am Link One of the things I notice about your photos is they lack power. They make you look afraid and nervous. When I'm working with models, I will tell them to tilt their chin down, so they are looking through the tops of their eyes a bit. This makes them appear more confident and powerful. You can experiment with this technique and really punch it up a bit.
A few examples https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44531954 https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44531947 https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/23045114 https://www.modelmayhem.com/portfolio/pic/44531951 Mar 30 19 08:23 pm Link stay alert!
have them count 1, 2 so you can bring the REFRESH and sparkle and do pause from time to time GOOD LUCK! Apr 26 19 10:57 pm Link Try shooting using "go's" . . . get everything set as far as the pose, the eyeline, the facial look, and the general expression, then close your eyes and wait for the "go" to blast them open . . . generally this is used when the sun (or lighting) is blaring (so the model doesn't get blinded, squint, or have her eyes water), but I've found that using it during a set pose for fashion, heads, and such breaks the mundane, and adds an energy, each "go" gives a whole new breath to a look . . . hope it works for you!
SOS May 03 19 08:06 am Link Ivy Wild wrote: It all starts with the eyes. Once you have the eyes you have everything.
May 09 19 07:34 am Link Ivy Wild has left the building...  May 09 19 03:33 pm Link Ivy Wild wrote: It is about the individual and there is no one solution for everybody. BUT, you gave your own answer. Ask the photographer to talk with you while shooting. Conversing relaxes you so use it as a tool to produce consistent images with expressive eyes and reflect your rapport with the photographer. May 09 19 04:28 pm Link JQuest wrote: Ivy Wild may have left the building ... but Ivy Wild can still read the forums. May 10 19 01:03 am Link Go look at a Victoria Secret's catalogue. You'll notice for many photos, the model's eye brows are on a slant, the end of the eyebrow that is closest to the ear is higher and the other end that is close to the nose is lower. Thus when you look at both sets of eyebrows, you should see a V shape. That is the look you want. At least that is the look I want. May 10 19 08:12 pm Link JQuest wrote: Camera Buff wrote: I doubt that Ivy Wild is still interested. May 11 19 08:29 am Link It is a combination of the model's ability to be there and the photographer interacting with the model to encourage and elicit an appropriate response. I can tell immediately when a model has left the room with her eyes. I told one model, several times, in one particular spot, that she was gone. She was surprised that I could tell, but she used it to check her own internal sense and was able to be there when needed. She is an actress and film director and found it useful to know. She was great to work with. May 11 19 08:33 am Link The model has literally left the room. She no longer has a profile here. May 11 19 08:38 am Link I do believe I have heard that you can have the model blink and just as she reopens her eyes -click the shutter. I have not remembered to do this myself but understand it works. May 25 19 02:42 pm Link |
