A Single Eye Close-Up

This is a really lovely photograph that conjures up all sorts of emotions and thoughts through that single eye. When I first saw it I did not think it sufficiently close up but now I have expanded the view on my computer the violin clearly defines a closeness. Up close to the screen the violin does not look sharp and this insults my brain's nerd like demand for crispness but then when I look from further afar the slight blur of the instrument accentuates the single eye 'close up.' The brown pupil works brilliantly with the richness of the wood of the violin. What is this person behind the eye thinking? Is it telling us the love it has for music. Is it fed up of the relentless practice. Is it committed to sharing it's musical gift? A very special photograph.

In my experience horses seem to express two emotions with their eyes, a desire to trample you to death if they get the chance or one of lovingness and timidity. This wonderful photograph of a single pony eye conveys the latter. The softness and pastel brownness of the facial fur accentuates this thought. Super photo.

What a superb shot. My first thoughts were that it might be better if more were in focus but on looking from more afar it is clear that the blurred area behind the eye accentuates the eye itself. I love the pastel colours. The background colour is a great contrast. Beautifully cropped. Wherever you go this iguana is following you. Very well done !

Swans often convey many different emotions through their eyes from sadness, beauty, thoughtfulness to outright anger and outrage. This one conveys a mournfulness. I love the droplets of water which implies it has just dived for something to eat. Perhaps the mournfulness reflects the fact that the fish got away?! Really lovely photo.

Of all the photos of the human eye seen in this competition, this in my opinion is one of the best. It is sharp and the soft skin tones are beautiful. The picture correctly fulfils the brief in that the focus is on a single eye without any distraction from other facial features. The eye is said to be the gateway to the soul and this eye conveys a gleeful, youthful and warm personality.

I know, somebody is going to say this is not a single eye but a compound eye but I am going to forgive the provider of this brilliant photo. I bought a macro add on lens this last summer and was amazed that I could see and photograph up close these brilliant insect eyes. This here is a great photo of a single compound eye. The rest of the head lacks focus which would be annoying in a normal sense when you would like nearly everything in focus but for the 'single eye close up' brief it works perfectly. Well done.

Super close up of the eye of this gharial. I like the inclusion of the upper jaw teeth. The eye is magnificent and is clearly sizing up any onlooker. The colours are excellent. The clear focus on the eye is accentuated by the narrow depth of field. Well done.

A great close up shot of this fearsome eagle. His/her look with his eye and the furrow of his brow conjures up thoughts of him/her being either ultra focused or very angry indeed! The eye itself and the beak are very sharp (sharply focused and no doubt sharp to bite with!). A brilliant photo.