Iris Photography: How to Take the Perfect Iris Photos

The perfect iris photos

The iris of our eyes is comparable to our fingerprint: nowhere in the world will you find two identical fingerprints. The same applies to the iris. Every person has different eyes; even the two eyes of one person are not completely identical. Take a close look at the eyes of your partner or child and you will be fascinated by the many facets of the iris!

Doesn’t that inspire you to take wonderful iris photos? What could be more beautiful than capturing the eyes of a loved one in a photo for eternity!

Below, you will discover the most important points to keep in mind for iris photography. You will learn how to take the perfect iris photo, even as a hobby photographer or beginner.

What is iris photography?

Iris photography is the new trend in professional and hobby photography. It involves specifically photographing the iris – the coloured part – of the eye. Many people experience an iris photoshoot as something very intimate; after all, the eyes are often described as the windows to the soul. An iris photo is a small work of art and an excellent gift idea for numerous occasions.

Important requirements for iris photography

For a successful iris photo, a quiet location without distracting light sources or shadow play is best. A professional photo studio is, of course, ideal for iris photography, but with good lighting conditions you can also take good iris photos yourself at home. Since you only want to photograph the eye, a beautiful background or colourful landscape is not necessary in this case.

A digital SLR camera (DSLR) with a macro lens is, of course, ideal for iris photography. If you are new to iris photography and first want to try out whether you will enjoy this hobby in the long term, you can also take good photos with your smartphone. Almost all current models have a high-quality main camera. If the quality of your first iris photos is not enough for you, there are attachable lenses for smartphones that can support you with iris photography.

In iris photography, good equipment is not the only important factor; the right technique also needs to be learned. You do not need any special technical knowledge for this. You and your equipment only need to meet a few essential technical requirements for iris photography, which are easy to learn or fulfil. Lighting conditions, distance from the subject, angle and illumination of the eye, aperture and camera shutter speed are some of the aspects you should keep in mind when photographing the iris. Familiarise yourself with the functions of your camera so that you can get started with iris photography well prepared.

The best photos are taken in daylight. Towards the evening, the light takes on a warm undertone that makes the most beautiful photos possible. Although iris photography does not require a romantic sunset, you should, as mentioned above, ensure even lighting conditions without shadows. Highlights and effects can be added later during image editing.

The ideal distance from the camera to the eye is 4-5 centimetres if you are using a macro lens. If you are photographing with a smartphone, shots taken this close often become blurred if the main camera does not have enough pixels. If you have a modern smartphone with sufficient pixels and zoom, the distance to the subject can be a little greater.

If your smartphone has a Pro mode in the camera app, you should set the ISO value to a low number in order to achieve the best possible quality. For the shutter speed, a setting of 1/100 to 1/120 is recommended. Set the aperture value as high as possible; on ordinary smartphones this is F2.4 and on smartphones with an iris diaphragm F8.0. For a shake-free photo, we recommend using a tripod or leaning your arm against a solid object.

Many photographers work with flash and then retouch the bright spot in the pupil during image editing. However, iris photography also works without flash. You can achieve good results by illuminating the eye diagonally from the side with a small torch. If the beam from the torch or another light source hits the pupil from the front, unwanted reflections occur, which can extend into the iris and affect the clarity and structure of the iris. A ring light is another way to illuminate the eye evenly and delivers good results. Daylight coming in through a window also usually provides enough brightness for a good camera.

In photography, having the right mindset is especially important. At the beginning, when you are not yet so familiar with the camera, you often get in your own way. Later, when you have more experience, you can trust your gut and you will reach your goal faster. In iris photography, it is particularly advisable to be patient and take plenty of pictures. Blinking can cause eyelashes to cover the iris, or the light may fall on the iris rather than the pupil – all of this can happen and should not stop you from trying again. Do not put yourself under pressure, have fun and build a connection with your model. That is how you will capture a unique and very personal subject.

What should I pay attention to with my model?

First, you need to find a patient model. An iris photoshoot takes more time than a snapshot of your pet! Position the model in front of a wall where they can rest their head. No matter how still you think you are, blurred photos afterwards are all the more frustrating. Also make sure that no backlighting shines onto the scene.

What should I pay attention to with the eyes?

It goes without saying that the model’s eye should be opened as wide as possible. The iris must be completely visible. Since a slight fluttering of the eyelids is nothing unusual, the eyelid can be carefully held open with a finger. Does the model wear contact lenses? Soft lenses do not interfere with iris photography, but hard contact lenses should be removed before taking the shot, as they distort the structure of the iris. We generally recommend iris photos without contact lenses; this also prevents an unattractive lens edge from appearing in the photo.

The perfect iris photo in just a few steps

With the Iris Editor (or the image editing tool of your choice) and our guide, you can edit your iris photo yourself very easily. Focus on one iris first. The more practised you become, the more possibilities will open up to you. With a little routine, you can combine fascinating iris photos of your whole family in one photo and create unforgettable collages for your friends.

Here’s how it works:

Photograph an iris with your SLR camera or smartphone.

• Name your photo so that you can assign it to the right person.
• Upload your iris photo to the Iris Editor.
• Click on Edit and crop your photo.
• Select the desired colour contrast and adjust the brightness and image sharpness.
• Can you still see reflecting eyelashes in your iris photo? Retouch them if you do not want to take a new shot.
• Choose the ideal background: a deep black makes a light iris stand out particularly well. A plain background is always best; this way, the eye is not distracted from the iris.
• Click on Save - your iris photo is finished!

If your first iris photos do not turn out 100% perfect, remember: no one is born a master. Be patient and you will see that your iris photos get better with every photoshoot!

Printing iris photos professionally

Print your photo on the paper of your choice. Glossy photo paper is, of course, best, as it reproduces the shot in detail and highlights the shine of the iris. If your printer cannot print photos, you are welcome to contact our partner Profotonet. Here, experts print your iris photos with love and passion. High-quality photo books and a wide selection of wall decorations are also among the options.

Iris photography with Kamera Express

Can’t wait to get started with iris photography, but don’t have the right equipment? Kamera Express supports you in all aspects of photography. In our online shop, you will find not only the ideal camera, but also the best possible service before and after your purchase. Need advice or inspiration? Discover our workshops and lectures! Renting a camera instead of buying one? Visit our website and discover the possibilities.

With the right equipment, a little patience and, of course, a love of beautiful images, iris photography will not only be successful for you, it will also be great fun.

Iris photography is personal, unique and simply fascinating!