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The Photo Contest: "Eyes"

What is it about eyes that attracts us so? Scientists know that we are hardwired to pick out eyes against a complex background. This is one reason we are apt to see faces appearing out of clouds, in rock formations and even the plaster on the wall.

Have you ever looked into someone's eyes and had the feeling that you could read his or her mind? The phrase "the eyes are the windows (or mirrors) of the soul" dates back thousands of years, and could have arisen from the importance humans give to the eyes of others as a means of intuiting emotions or intentions. Being able to "read someone's mind" by "reading" their eyes certainly contributed to our ancestors' survival. 

The eyes are the most direct contact we make with people and they express our feelings most sincerely.  When a baby is born, one of the first things she recognizes and enjoys focusing on is the human face! Part of what is so compelling is the eyes.

Our relationship with others is greatly tied to how we read their eyes. Not only does this apply to our relationship with other people, but animals as well. Have your ever watched an animal's eyes and known that there was intelligence behind them? We often also communicate with our animals with our eyes. Sometimes our eye contact with an animal communicates something different than what we intend, as when we make eye contact with a strange dog.

The collections of eyes we assembled from this contest's entrants demonstrate just how powerful the eyes are. The eyes of a baby or small child can engender love or a smile. The eyes of certain animals can haunt us, amuse us or give a sense of connection.

And sometimes even in a photograph eyes can convey a range of emotions that may not even be expressible through written or spoken language, and we find ourselves drawn back time and again to that image.

We chose Hannah Boettcher's self-portrait, "Through My Eyes", as the grand prize winner. I liked the composition and the lighting. The eye peering out of under the blanket immediately catches our attention. Rendering the photo a black and white also adds impact to the image.

Congratulations to the Honorable Mentions in this contest. All of the images made clear statements about the nature of fatherhood, and were excellent photographs as well.

Click on each image to see larger version.

All images copyrighted by the individual photographers. All Rights Reserved. These images are for your viewing pleasure only and not to be downloaded for any other purpose.

 

	Grand Prize Winner "Self-Portrait: Through My Eyes" Hannah Boettcher East Lyme, Connecticut USA
	First Runner-up: "Eyes" Joe Bellantoni Mahopac, New York USA
	Honorable Mention: "Many Birds" Stephanie Luke Cottonwood, California USA
	Honorable Mention: "Friendly Stare" Ellie Kaul McIntosh, Florida USA
	Honorable Mention:   "Wink" Bob Gates Jamesville, New York USA
	Honorable Mention: "Eye Contact" Myra Trelenberg Burnaby, B.C., Canada
	Honorable Mention: "Untitled" Sandra Considine USA
`	Honorable Mention: "Untitled" Vicki Harrison Jay, Florida USA

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