Comments on: Where is Your Subject Looking and Why Does it Matter?

By: Booker

Booker — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:13:31 +0000

I think another component to this is how the camera is oriented to the subject.

If you’re level with the face, then it’s more natural to have the eyes at the camera. If you’re above to below, well, it depends. That shot of somebody looking up, either with the cam in front or them leaning back, is pretty engaging, usually with a really narrow DOF centered right on the eyeballs. Then again if the person is awkwarding looking down at the camera, chubbing up their neck, well, that probably won’t work too well.

Same thing goes for side-to-side, or having the subject well into the right or left 1/3s of the image. If they’re way to the side and looking at the camera it could create something interesting, but more often than not it leads to nowhere once your eyes see them looking back at you. On the other hand, a face on the far right looking towards the left (like bubble boy) creates movement.

By: Jennifer Moore

Jennifer Moore — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 20:53:55 +0000

I find that I tend to prefer to photograph people not looking into the camera. I prefer the air of mystery that creates.

Then again, my interest, in terms of human sujbects, is more fashion/commercial and less portraiture.

By: mrsrobinson

mrsrobinson — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:32:24 +0000

All types of portraits can be powerful, but there is just something about looking directly into someone’s eyes in a portrait that gets me every time.

By: photo-on-head101

photo-on-head101 — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 07:40:12 +0000

thanks some gret tips, i have to say that oyounger childern are a joy to photograph , they have such interesting face when they are focused on one thing and not the camrea . the most rewarding shots are the ones of them that didnt know you took captchering their moment joy is what i like :)

By: B P Maiti

B P Maiti — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:24:53 +0000

Thought provoking and educative.

By: james mason

james mason — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:33:42 +0000

agree completely. where the subject is looking can completely change the feel of a shot

By: Simone waight

Simone waight — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:03:09 +0000

THANKS FOR THE TIPS! CAN YOU SHARE MORE TIPS ON POSES FOR ALL AGE GROUPS,AND FOR BOTH SEXES.

I PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN OLDER FOLKS. THE EXPRESSION LINES HAVE LONG BEEN AN INTEREST OF MINE.

WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE OF COLOR? HELP ME! I AM TRYING TO ASSEMPLE MY PORTFOLIO.

THANKS! AWAITING …

By: Jana

Jana — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:50:38 +0000

Thank you! This was of GREAT help!

By: Terry

Terry — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:12:40 +0000

Last week, amidst all the preparations for my wedding, I was with a group of friends who were all working together on various little projects. One was making some minor dress alterations, one was working on luminaries, etc. One of the bride’s nieces was with us, and I saw her observing the scene. I composed the shot and quietly asked her to look at me.

Her gaze makes her the focus of the shot, but it wasn’t until I read this post that I understand why I did that or why it worked. At the time it simply seemed like the thing to do.

By: Louella

Louella — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:32:52 +0000

This is something I always knew intuitively, but having read it now gives it a new sense of importance… Thanks for sharing.

By the way, I love the picture of the boy looking at the bubble!