Eye macro w/catchlight - C&C please

04/21/2005 12:12:55 AM · #1

Here's a self portrait I did a few hours ago:

It was shot with my 18-55 @ 55mm, and I constructed a diffuser from a sheet of paper to reduce the flash at the close range I'd be shooting. I rolled the paper into a tube and then taped it to the camera to extend away from the lens at an angle. It also made a pleasing (to me) catchlight. I shot portrait to get the catchlight from the side rather than top. I dodged (burned?) some reflections in the pupil and cloned out a few yucky things I found on my face at such a close range.

I'd love any suggestions or comments on the technique and/or shot.

Thanks,
Ara

totaldis

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

04/21/2005 12:24:18 AM · #2

sweet, i've only tried this shot once and was unsuccessful.. but i guess that was like a couple weeks after i received my camera.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

04/21/2005 12:49:59 AM · #3

Originally posted by totaldis:

sweet, i've only tried this shot once and was unsuccessful.. but i guess that was like a couple weeks after i received my camera.

Thanks! Yes, it took a bit of luck working out how much light I needed to focus without coloring the shot too much. And, it's kind of hard to compose your shot when you're holding your camera out from your face and trying to make your eye look natural. =]

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

04/21/2005 01:37:36 AM · #4

It's striking, but it looks like someone's shining a searchlight through your eye from somehwere back in your sinus cavity, and I find it extremely unnatural looking.

Robt.

aerogurl

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR

04/21/2005 01:59:43 AM · #5

I dont like it, it looks very unnatural... but you have some AWESOME stuff on your pbase portfolio :)

Message edited by author 2005-04-21 02:01:28.

04/21/2005 07:30:37 AM · #6

Originally posted by bear_music:

It's striking, but it looks like someone's shining a searchlight through your eye from somehwere back in your sinus cavity, and I find it extremely unnatural looking.

Robt.

Wait, you mean you don't have someone shining a seachlight from your sinuses? ;^) Yeah it's weird, but it was the best of the lot. I couldn't figure out a better way to do it with the equipment/supplies at hand.

04/21/2005 07:34:49 AM · #7

Originally posted by aerogurl:

I dont like it, it looks very unnatural... but you have some AWESOME stuff on your pbase portfolio :)

Thanks! Yeah, the more I look at it, the more it bothers me. I was thinking (but didn't get to try) that if I had some thick, black paper, I could wrap it around the the bottom of the cone to keep the light from starting so close to the center of my eye.

04/21/2005 09:04:17 AM · #8

Originally posted by BikeRacer:

Originally posted by aerogurl:
I dont like it, it looks very unnatural... but you have some AWESOME stuff on your pbase portfolio :)

Thanks! Yeah, the more I look at it, the more it bothers me. I was thinking (but didn't get to try) that if I had some thick, black paper, I could wrap it around the the bottom of the cone to keep the light from starting so close to the center of my eye.

Although light is unnatural looking, but personally I like the shot and think it has great potential for some creativity in PS. If you don't mind, lemme find the image I am looking for and then I will edit and post ur pic back.

04/21/2005 09:19:12 AM · #9

Originally posted by Nonage:

Don't mind at all - thanks!

04/21/2005 09:41:38 AM · #10

Ok, here is what I came up with, using two of your own picz. I was looking for a picture of a bride with long train to go well in the light tunnel , but couldn't find a suitable picture :(
Anywayz, here I brought out the photographer in u :) Hope u enjoy it.

04/21/2005 10:07:49 AM · #11

another one with " I believe I can fly"

04/21/2005 11:17:38 AM · #12

Wow! Those are both really cool, Nonage!

04/21/2005 11:37:15 AM · #13

Originally posted by BikeRacer:

Wow! Those are both really cool, Nonage!

thanks, glad u liked them :)

04/21/2005 01:02:52 PM · #14

Originally posted by Nonage:

Originally posted by BikeRacer:
Wow! Those are both really cool, Nonage!

thanks, glad u liked them :)

You're welcome. BTW, this:

is just great!

04/22/2005 09:32:32 AM · #15

Originally posted by BikeRacer:

BTW, this:

is just great!

Thanks :)
BTW, U've nice, clear eyes and shld try taking some close ups. Cut a small box to fit on ur flash and cover it with something like a transparent shower curtain etc to make it work as a soft box.