Having your subject look directly at the camera lens will help you take a detailed photo of their iris and pupil. If you want to capture the eye from a different perspective, have your subject look at a fixed point so you can find the best angle from which to take the shot. Are you drawn to the colors and patterns of the iris, or the reflection of the light on the pupil? Do you want to focus on the wrinkles around the eye, or the curvature of the eyelashes? Your answer to this question will be the main detail you focus on when taking your shot. A catch light is the small white spot you sometimes see in close-up photographs of the eye. You can create a catch light by setting up a stable, continuous source of light. You can use a softbox, an umbrella, a ring light, or natural light to create this effect. Make sure that your camera isn’t casting a shadow over your shot. Many close-up shots of the eye don’t turn out for the simple reason that the photographer didn’t get close enough to the eye. Position your camera’s lens as close your subject as it can be without your shot going blurry. Be careful not to block the light you need for your shot. Adjust your zoom until you find a viewpoint you like. Widening your shot to include other detail can provide some context, but may take away from the detail you’ve chosen to focus on. When taking a close-up shot, the slightest shake of your hand can blur your photo. Using a tripod or other surface to support your camera as you take your photo will help prevent this from happening. If you want to take a macro photograph of your own eye, a camera with flip screen is the best option because it will allow you to easily see whether your shot is on target and in focus. If your camera doesn’t have a flip screen, however, placing a small mirror behind your camera will also give you a view of the display screen. If you’re taking a photo of your own eye with a cellphone, you’ll also want to use a mirror. This is because taking a photo of your eye on the selfie setting of your phone will affect the lighting of your shot.
Have your subject look at the lens or other fixed point. Examine the eye closely and decide what most interests you. Produce a catch light with a continuous light source. Get as close as you can to the eye. Use your camera’s zoom to hone in on the eye. Keep your camera steady with a tripod or other sturdy surface. Set up a mirror behind your camera to take a photo of your own eye.