I was messing around with my girlfriend....no! taking photos at a park with her.

She's kind of my test subject and after a photoshoot a few days ago she brought up an interesting point. She said:

I really only like images where you can see the whites and color in my eyes.

I thought about it, looked over our images, and understood what she was getting at. Although she was at a proper exposure and all detail could be see, a stop or so could have brought out more color and brighter whites in her eyes.

I started searching other 'model photoshoots' and found that in a lot of other models, you can clearly see their eye color (as opposed to gray or black)

My question is...is this a good strategy when doing photoshoots? Although I may be a stop lower, is this how others take photographs or is this just a simple coincidence? Do YOU take your photos thinking about this? :) Thanks guys!

Some girls have BIG, ROUND, CLEAR eyes .. and they know how to use them .. the eyes will always (almost) be the center of focus in an image .. especially if they are bright and clear and looking right at you ..

it takes a model with chutzpah and confidence ... most girlfriends are running away, screaming "don't point that camera at me"

lighting is very important .. almost studio quality lighting


good luck .. I look forward to your coffee table book .. "the eyes have it"