Superhero Photo Challenge: Eyes closed

I love this photo of my friend Jonatha. I think a lot of the sweetness is in her smile but the fact that her eyes are closed adds an extra special intimacy. It feels like you're in on a little secret, a private moment or inside joke...I am surprised by how intimate photos with eyes closed can be.

As you've already guessed, this week I challenge you to take a portrait with your subject's eyes closed. Because I just recently saw the Annie Leibowitz show: A Photographer's Life and I am now convinced that she is the best portrait photographer on earth, I will share a oouple of her photos for inspiration with this theme. I also found some beautiful shots with eyes closed on Jesh De Rox's blog.

As usual, please leave a link to your photo and if you are using flickr, please tag your photo with superhero photo challenge.

Comments

[Jessie]

I just took some portraits yesterday and got some fun eyes closed shots. You can see one of them here http://pictureofmyworld.com/?p=1041

Great challenge idea!

[Devan]

lovely shot!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/devangrayson/2333667601/

[Elizabeth]

Beautiful picture. I will think more about taking eyes closed shots after seeing that and the links you have posted!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/esabet/2332419874/in/set-72157604115135213/

[corey (giggletwig)]

Eyes closed in laughter

http://www.flickr.com/photos/giggletwig/2334232059/

[divrchk]

I saw the Annie Leibowitz exhibit along with an Ansel Adams exhibit over Thanksgiving in D.C. It blew me away. I'll keep this eyes closed method in mind.

[Shelli]

What beautiful photos! I don't usually try to get a shot with someone's eyes closed on purpose, but you have made me think differently about it!

I did, however, take this shot not too long ago because it was the first time (ever) this little guy was still enough for me to get a good picture of him:

http://www.mamaofletters.com/Mama_of_Letters/Camera_Happy.html#7

[Keri]

I love when a smile is so big that you can't even keep your eyes open. :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/keriart/2334309051/in/pool-shuttersisters

[toyfoto]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/toyfoto/354524864/

[Raven]

Here is mine!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/justexpressive/2334352443/

[Andie]

http://wifemotherpainter.typepad.com/photos/my_photography/2_2.html

Mother and son

[leigh]

i love this one of my son, the boys always get the lashes don't they.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/35959139@N00/2323967975/

[divrchk]

Here is mine... http://flickr.com/photos/divrchk/1505951666/in/pool-shuttersisters

[Tracie]

These eyes were closed on purpose...my boys love to 'ham' it up in front of the camera!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23084493@N04/2334388875/?eOrig=2335205682

[Karen G]

I never thought about it that way, but you're right. Closed eyes can definitely add some intimacy to a photo.

I think it kind of works here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23132596@N07/2335161688/

[elizabeth laufer]

here's a self portrait I took yesterday, not even knowing about the challenge. I must be psychic! http://www.flickr.com/photos/23478522@N05/sets/72157604124683025/

[Melissa]

Great picture and post. I think I will have to try this more.

Here are a couple of shots

Sleeping baby: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24035778@N04/2335240836/

Special moment: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24035778@N04/2335239934/

[summer]

This is from 7 months ago, I rarely do self portraits, though as I age I'd like to do more, but this one was from an attempt to document what turning 30 looked and felt like. We are moving today or I would revel in taking this challenge head on but since I doubt the time will be mine I will contribute an old shot none the less because I love the concept so much...it is so true about the intimacy factor.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sufferingsummer/2335270998/

[Carol]

http://flickr.com/photos/23616183@N08/2334604407/

[cuzamora]

Umm...I'm soooo jealous that you are friends with Jonatha Brooke!!! What a great shot. Annie's photos are amazing-I have the honor of knowing a woman who was her developer for years and I got to see many photos up close & personal in her (not Annie's) studio and in her private collection.

Here is my photo-my favorite subject, my son. Taken the other day.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/74752856@N00/2332241830/

[Ally]

Their first dance -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/akadragonflyphotography/2335466654/

[Melanie]

Oh, Jonatha just exudes joy! Love her - I first came to her music when I was around 16, and my dad took me to see The Story at a small old theatre in Tampa.

Here's mine, another 'eyes closed in laughter' shot: http://www.flickr.com/photos/apartmentlife/2306863506/in/pool-shuttersisters

[Susannah]

I took this a while back, but i love how their closed eyes and tender smiles speak volumes about their friendship, and how happy they are to simply be sat in each other's company...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/inkonmyfingers/1895349995/in/set-72157594421691609/

[Mrs. Eaves]

I took this one several weeks ago:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrs-eaves/2335499130/in/pool-shuttersisters

I usually tend to delete ones with closed eyes, but I liked this one.
Thanks for the post and challenge -- I will be looking for more closed-eye opportunities now!

[Elaine]

As part of the 7 days self portrait project I just took this one of me and my husband: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gingerlane/2329375946/in/set-72157600024712096/ I happen to love it so much I'm bummed I caught it with a camera phone!

[nicky thomas]

I find it hard to take photos with eyes shut as i feel like it totally shuts off the soul. Here are a couple though....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2056221430/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickythomasphotography/2335022225/

ok, so one isn't quite closed but it was fun!!!


Nicky xxx

[simply]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22779383@N08/2335878070/

this one was taken last year...I love tulips...

~simply~

[Jill]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/13180571@N08/2335065539/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/13180571@N08/2286833489/#/create

[pen]

i {love} your challenges! (and seeing everyones images)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/whimsicalviews/2335929044/

[Jeniffer Aranas]

http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/540269

here is me :)

[Maria]

Here is my submission for the super hero challenge. I loved this picture when I saw it. It is my 4 year old son and we were sitting together on the deck enjoying some crisp fresh air. I spent about 3 minutes just snapping pictures as he ate some goldfish crackers and loved them. This picture especially feels to me as if we are finally coming out of the coldness of winter and he was basking in the glorious warmth of the sun.

http://reesspace.blogspot.com/2008/03/look-at-that-face.html

[Jen]

I have a couple!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23177175@N05/2335703924/

[shirbit]

didn't know about this until after I took the photo this morning..of a close friend,wearing the necklace I gave her for her bday.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shirbits/2335218679/

[Carrie Harvey]

My first try at a super hero challenge...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23724564@N02/2335020405/

[vivienne]

my favourite kind of eyes closed photos are those in which you are smiling so wide that you can't help but close your eyes and savour the moment.

here's my eyes closed offering:

http://ladyvivienne.blogspot.com/2008/03/superhero-photo-challenge-eyes-closed.html

[natala]

http://atheart.wordpress.com/2008/03/16/behind-the-eye-lids/

I think there is so much imagination behind closed eyes :)

[Katherine Pike]

http://s12.photobucket.com/albums/a250/Middlethefatcat/?action=view&current=us2.jpg

[Kate]

I immediately thought of this photo when I read your post, I like how it still conveys feeling even with eyes closed:

http://freemotion-kate.blogspot.com/2008/03/superhero-photo-challenge-eyes-closed.html

[Mollie]

My First Superhero Challenge! This was for an amazing project I was involved with on bringing awareness to women and HIV.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mehannon/2300139310/

[Melody A.]

It is lovely.

Here's mine:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hipmommatexas/2336598562/

[Ginna]

I think this one turned out so sweet.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ginnahendricks/2336711122/

[Julia]

I love this one of my girls:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/edsmilde/2335898737/

[kristyk]

queen of the wrinkled noses
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristyk/2336697434

[Candace]

This is just perfect. I recently took a picture of my sisters hugging each other...with their eyes closed.

http://lillilbits.blogspot.com/2008/03/sisters.html

[emily]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/girl_seeking_grace/2336798134/

[Jennifer]

I rarely keep photos w/ eyes closed. But I liked this one of my friend. http://www.flickr.com/photos/veridianblue/2336745996/

[Debi]

I have so many with eyes closed...and am always drawn to them....

http://justasiam.typepad.com/photos/shutter_sisters_/img_9653ss4.html

[krella]

Boyhood laughter!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14772112@N00/2336106003/

[Molly Merrick]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/molly_merrick/1966890086/

[Angela Giles Klocke]

My first time playing along. Had to share an old favorite!

http://angelagilesklocke.com/blog/2008/03/16/eyes-closed/

Love this site!

[Carrie Harvey]

I hope this is o.k., but I've edited my original entry and would like to add it to the challenge.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23724564@N02/2339363724/