Eyes

Some of my recent street portraits were criticised recently because the critic coundnt see the eyes. In one photograph the subjectis looking doen and in the other the subject wears glasses. On one hand i understand this need for the eyes to be seen. The eyes are windows to the soul we are told. So if we cannot see the eyes, then we cannot see the soul ? Perhaps that is the critics issue ? Or some other contemporary psychological element that can be substitued fpr 'soul' when that term has lost its resonance in the mainstream of some societies such as ours (Anglo Saxon predominantly ie English) . However for myself I find other aspects of the gaze equally compelling. Looking away has psychological and emotional resonances has it not ? Looking down (lost in thought) seems to tell a story. Closing the eyes also especially whilst awake :) also tells a story. Is there pain ? suffering or simply tiredness ? And also for me when the gaze is towards me or my camera lens there may be a moment of self consciousness, of contrived storytelling. Whereas when teh gaze drifts away from my lens i often find the subject seems more natural in the landscape. just my thoughts on eyes and the gaze. regards Neil January 2025