Beautiful in my eyes * by Canon DSLR Challenge

Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 59: Song Titles (host: Angela Johnson) >> Challenge 59: Eligible > Beautiful in my eyes *

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15-JAN-2006	Gayle Knowles

Beautiful in my eyes *

Australia

by Joshua Kadison

You’re my piece of mind, in this crazy world
You’re every thing I've tried to find
Your love is a pearl
You’re my Mona Lisa
You’re my rainbow skies
And my only prayer is that you realize
You'll always be beautiful in my eyes...

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
1/640s f/2.8 at 50.0mm iso800 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto

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Please do not delete, update, or otherwise edit others' entries
* Submitter retains all copyrights *

Guest		24-Jan-2006 06:06
Gayle, I've been looking at this portrait since it was posted and it absolutely confounds me. My mind tells me that both the direction and intensity of the lighting shouldn't work, and yet there's this beautiful intense portrait of a lovely young woman. Brava, Gayle, you've created something very special here. -Michael

Guest		19-Jan-2006 19:43
Even though the last comment wasn't directed at me, I feel the need to comment again. When I wrote my comment about beauty, it was more a comment on the choice of song-title than on the photo. Like I wrote, the photograph is masterly done. Since I wrote my first comment, I have seen something else too: this photograph has a Mona-Lisa quality to it! Didn't somebody write a song entitled Mona-Lisa? I swear, there is something about that pose and smile...

Canon DSLR Challenge		19-Jan-2006 14:49
With all due respect, Phil, shouldn't the commentary and critique be more about the image vs. taste in fashion? I don't much care for pictures of naked men, and I refuse to eat peas, but I managed to look past those preferences in commenting on some of your recent work. Record now stipulates that you don't like hairbands and you prefer candid portraiture, don't you think this shot has merit? I've not seen this style from Gayle before, and I have to say she did extremely well with it. The pose, expression, and angle of lighting are superb, and (my favorite part) a formal portrait with one eye dominant is both uncommon and appealing. Two (more) pennies. --Mr. Biscuit

Canon DSLR Challenge		18-Jan-2006 11:14
Gayle - no, that doesn't help! While I understand the "why" of hairbands (Hey, I have 2 daughters you know!) I just have a personal dislike of them (in much the same way I much prefer my wife's hair to hang loose rather than tied back!). For me, the make-up and the whole "glamour" look is fine - and I think had she not had the hairband/belt in her hair that this would be a stunning portrait. We all know she's a beautiful girl, but for me (and it's just me!) the hairband is a major distraction. Phil

Gayle Knowles		17-Jan-2006 20:07
Hey Cat, I'm not about to delete anyones comments, they are all valid and could easily apply to future shots. It's all about learning. The reason for this "glamour" look....well, cos we've done the natural look thousands of times, you've all seen it and it was time to try something different. I agree that small girls look beautiful without makeup, but at her age (almost 12), it's fun to experiment a bit and it makes her feel special. She loves this photo, by the way. Phil, would you feel better if I told you it's not a headband, it's actually a belt that she wears with her jeans. I don't share your dislike of headbands....they keep silky, wispy hair out of eyes.

Canon DSLR Challenge		17-Jan-2006 19:42
If Victor is a 26-volume set of encyclopedias, then Traveller is Socrates reincarnate. Just thought I'd share. --Mr. Biscuit

Guest		17-Jan-2006 19:37
Dear Traveller, I agree with you . -Cat

Canon DSLR Challenge		17-Jan-2006 19:21
Hi Cat, this is the essence of Conversation, give and take, recognizing honest differences of opinion. I'm sure Gayle doesn't mind your criticism, this is what it is all about. However, I hope you don't mind my criticism or your criticism. We differ, you thing the portrait can be improved, I don't, or if so not by much. (I honestly hesitatied in writing my thoughts below because things can often be mis-understood....but that's not right either. We should both have our say...Hey, that's a conversation :>) Best Wishes, Traveller

Canon DSLR Challenge		17-Jan-2006 14:24
Traveller, point well taken. Its not that its not a great portrait. It is more about how to make it 100%, with no room for crit. 98-99% still leaves room for 2-1%. I could have just kept quiet and let it bug me, but I know Gayle would have prefered that I come out and say it. And so I did. Constructive crit does not reduce the quality, it is meant to make it 100%, removing any shortcomings. If we stop nitpicking, we shall compromise the last 2-1% of the improvement. I am assuming we are beyond that, and thus I choose to critique. Gayle, you are more than welcome to delete my comments and explanations. I misunderstood the meaning of the '*'. Sorry. -Cat

Canon DSLR Challenge		17-Jan-2006 09:34
Gayle, I'm going to take some exception to the criticism being leveled at this image, as well meaning as the comments are. First, this is what it is, it is a fine capture of a moment and mood in this young girl's life. It is not like this is the first or the last portrait that you will take of her. I am certain that you have more naturalistic shots of her...most of us has seen them. I like the formality and the head-band also. One eye being naturally in the shadow from her brow, is not, IMHO, a problem. I continue to maintain that this is a exqusite portrait of a young lady on the verge of adulthood. For me, it is close to perfect. Best Wishes, Traveller

Gayle Knowles		16-Jan-2006 19:51
Cat, I appreciate the crit, but her eyes were processed exactly the same. The left eye is less in focus and also in shadow, but there was no selective processing on one eye only. PS, I don't think the army (her ambition) requires a photographic portfolio ;-)

Canon DSLR Challenge		16-Jan-2006 18:02
Dear Gayle, Its a nice portrait work. Although I have agree with Olaf and Phil. (*) I am going to be really picky here, since you are (I am assuming) going to do a portfilio for her any way, hope you don't mind. The difference in the color of the iris/pupil in two eyes looks markly different. This might be due to the processing. Her left eye looks more processed than the right. Rule of thumb: Apply the same processing to BOTH eyes, otherwise it gives a different impression. Hope this helps. -Cat

Guest		16-Jan-2006 15:50
Gayle, this is lovely! I like the sweet hint of a smile. Your daughter is quite a beauty.

Canon DSLR Challenge		16-Jan-2006 08:14
I'm with Olaf on this one - not least because I have a personal dislike of hairbands! There's nothing wrong with your portraiture technique, Gayle, but inevitably I much prefer the more candid/natural look. Phil

Canon DSLR Challenge		16-Jan-2006 01:43
On January 10, 2004, you wrote (and I quote): "Portraiture is not really my thing". I beg to differ. I hope this is up on a wall somewhere where the young lady (and her Mom) will see it for years to come. The lighting and pose are exceptional. Fantastic. --Mr. Biscuit

Canon DSLR Challenge		16-Jan-2006 01:38
Exqusite...but also heartbreaking in the all too aparent vulenerability and so soon to be falling into adulthood. Lovely, tender and sad portrait. Best Wishes, Traveller

Canon DSLR Challenge		15-Jan-2006 22:19
Beautiful portrait, Gayle. I like the sequinned head band. It adds to the sparkle shown in your daughter's expression. shu

Canon DSLR Challenge		15-Jan-2006 21:51
Lovely! I just asked my daughter if she wanted to do the whole makeup thing for kicks the other day. Not a chance. LOL! She's only ten, though. ~ Lonnit

Gayle Knowles		15-Jan-2006 13:38
Olaf, I was told quite firmly that is she was going to model for me today, we were doing the whole glamour bit.....makeup, jewellery, sparkly headband.....so we did. It was fun, but she's growing up too fast!

Guest		15-Jan-2006 11:12
Masterly lit and photographed, but I find her more beautiful "au natural" (like in other pictures we've seen).

Canon DSLR Challenge		15-Jan-2006 09:39
Fixed it, thanks Victor. No reflectors, I have no idea what it was from. Gayle

Canon DSLR Challenge		15-Jan-2006 09:06
Gayle, I really like this picture except for the light arc that goes across the brighter eye. Is that from a couple of reflectors or something? -- Victor