Why do some eyes twinkle?

Hi,
I notice that on TV and in movies, possibly in real life, that some of
the actor's eyes twinkle more than others. I am talking about more
than the normal well placed catch lights. Does the director make a
conscious decision and tell the director of photography to make that
person's eyes twinkle or is it something about the physics of some
people's eyes.

Thanks,
Ron

Christopher Campbell wrote:

> As Jay noted, lighting is important to making eyes twinkle.
>
> But it is easier to get some eyes to twinkle more than others. People who
> have heavy eyelids make it harder for the photographer. There is just a
> smaller area to work with, is all.

I feel sure there is more too it. I will post back when I have some
examples. Steve Mariuci from the NFL channel and that girl that starred
in Ghost come to mind but I am working from memory so I have no way to
confirm it for now. Anyway, thanks for the interesting and helpful
replies.
Ron

<ronviers@> wrote in message
news:1165965013.054028.169050@j72g2000cwa. o...
>
> Christopher Campbell wrote:
>
>> As Jay noted, lighting is important to making eyes twinkle.
>>
>> But it is easier to get some eyes to twinkle more than others. People who
>> have heavy eyelids make it harder for the photographer. There is just a
>> smaller area to work with, is all.
>
> I feel sure there is more too it. I will post back when I have some
> examples. Steve Mariuci from the NFL channel and that girl that starred
> in Ghost come to mind but I am working from memory so I have no way to
> confirm it for now. Anyway, thanks for the interesting and helpful
> replies.
> Ron
>

TV it's definately the lighting (if it's a live football studio show...)
Movies it could be the lighting or it could be post production...
If it's Demi Moore, it's cause she's "HAWT..." (especially at the time she
made Ghost...)

;O)

Jay Beckman
Chandler, AZ

ronviers@ wrote:
> Hi,
> I notice that on TV and in movies, possibly in real life, that some of
> the actor's eyes twinkle more than others. I am talking about more
> than the normal well placed catch lights. Does the director make a
> conscious decision and tell the director of photography to make that
> person's eyes twinkle or is it something about the physics of some
> people's eyes.

You might need to ask this question at sci.optics or sci.med.vision
group. Practicioners of eye optics are knowledgeable on this subject.
My personal opinon is that there are too many sources of light in the
studio. Therefore, as the camera moves, there are more chances that the
light from one of those sources is reflected back into the camera's
lens.

minnesøtti wrote:

> You might need to ask this question at sci.optics or sci.med.vision
> group. Practicioners of eye optics are knowledgeable on this subject.
> My personal opinon is that there are too many sources of light in the
> studio. Therefore, as the camera moves, there are more chances that the
> light from one of those sources is reflected back into the camera's
> lens.

I think the answers are more likely to be found in the beauty/glamour
and modeling fields. I know that the most beautiful people are not
always the most photogenic. Being able to see the difference can make
you a lot of money. Things like bone structure, blood flow,
intelligence, mental health etc. go into determining how someone will
look on film. I also think some people have a characteristic twinkle
that is manifest only on film.

Thanks,
Ron