Woman looking at the camera

Obviously a great number of the portraits I post show people looking at the camera. But I’m following up on a response I made to a reader’s comment a couple days ago. I mentioned that in the earliest period of my photo collecting I focused on pictures of people looking directly at the camera, aiming especially for ones that somehow managed to look not just like the sitter was looking at the camera, but was looking right through the camera at you. It could be haunting to get the impression that somebody was staring back at me across time. I think this is a good example of what I’m talking about, and this is in fact the first photo I ever bought. I find it captivating.

8 comments on “Woman looking at the camera”

11 Jan 2013 at 8:04 am alessandro ciapanna
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Captivating. No doubt. Just wonderful.
- 11 Jan 2013 at 6:21 pm usermattw
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  Thanks, Alessandro, I’m glad you like it.
11 Jan 2013 at 2:17 pm Mrs. P
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Wow, I love this! She definitely is looking through the camera! Great photo!
- 11 Jan 2013 at 6:22 pm usermattw
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  Thanks, Mrs. P, I’m glad you see what I mean. Some portraits really have that effect more than others, and I think this one does.
15 Jan 2013 at 12:10 pm Jenna
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Very interesting photo here. It’s even more interesting that it’s the first of your entire vast collection. It must be all the more special because of that. Great photo. Thanks for sharing.
- 15 Jan 2013 at 4:33 pm usermattw
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  Thanks, Jenna. Yes, even though it may not be my favorite photo (not that I really have just one), but it does have a certain sentimental attachment for me.
26 Jan 2013 at 2:31 am dsavannah
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Amazing expression. Looks like she’s about to tell you a secret! And I agree – she’s looking across time as well.
- 27 Jan 2013 at 10:33 pm usermattw
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  Thanks, I’m glad you see what I mean.