The eyes have it

Phil Rudin · Issue 95, Mar/Apr 2017 · pp. 54–58

Products mentioned: Olympus E-1, Olympus 11-22mm zoom, Olympus E-M5, Olympus 60mm macro, Nauticam housing, Inon Z-240 strobes, Olympus E-M1, SAGA +15 closeup lens, Olympus 12-50mm

The debate regarding the original source of the phrase “The eyes are the window to the soul” has raged on for decades, perhaps centuries. Over the years it has been attributed to Shakespeare and DaVinci while others believe it dates back to the Old Testament of the Bible. The human eye beyond just its aesthetic qualities is integral to non-verbal communication and is a source of self- expression. Even the most mundane portraits can be mesmerizing if the eyes captivate. Ask any aspiring portrait photographer what the key essential is for a compelling image and the answer will surely be to making the eyes “pop”. The same key essentials are needed for marine animal portraits as. Many of the key techniques used by portrait photographers carry over into the underwater world when photographing eyes. Marine animals have some of the most photogenic and unusual eyes of any of animals on the plane…