Blue Eyed Stare

Artist: Craig Goldsmith
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Card: US$4.28
Print: from US$21.38

Blue Eyed Stare

I met Mohamed inside the Temple of Kom Ombo right on the banks of the Nile, and his eyes were just captivating. He was one of the many locals that offered their services as a guide inside the temples in the return for baksheesh, photos cost extra but after chatting with him I felt he needed the money more then I did and I had to record his extraordinary eyes. Throughout my visit I didn’t see another blue eyed Egyptian so I felt lucky to have met Mohamed by chance, and shared some time with him.

The Temple of Kom Ombo is actually two temples consisting of a Temple to Sobek and a Temple of Haroeris, so everything in mirrored for each of the Gods.

Blue Eyed Stare belongs to the following groups:

OCAU Photographers, African Art and Writings, Art of the Middle East, People and Portraiture Photography and Travel and Adventure

Sleek Images, 5 months ago

OK… Now that’s non-cliche – just as I requested… Nice capture Craig…
Cindy Perrinj..., 5 months ago

Incredible eyes & a really nice portrait of an Egyptian!!!
Craig Goldsmith in reply to Sleek Images’s comment, 5 months ago

Thanks John, I’m not sure how many non-cliche I managed, but I did have you in mind when I picked this as my first upload. Certainly the people shots I got, which wasn’t nearly enough are some of my preferred images so far.
Leeo, 5 months ago

Wonderful portrait Craig. Those eyes certainly are captivating!
Hans Kawitzki, 5 months ago

love the eye contact and what amazing eyes
Basia McAuley, 5 months ago

Brilliant photography and portrait work. I love the way you have captured the relationship between you and him and his amazing blue eyes make this so much more special. Very well done.
joolz, 5 months ago

Wow Craig, those eyes really are amazing. He has such a gentle look about him.
Jacqueline Gwynne, 5 months ago

Are those eyes for real, or have you photoshopped them??
Craig Goldsmith in reply to Jacqueline Gwynne’s comment, 5 months ago

Jacqueline, I thought he had contact lenses, I so couldn’t believe the vibrant blue of his eyes, but he gave me a very close up look, opening his lids with his fingers and I couldn’t see anything but eyeball.They really were mesmerising, I’ve seen a lily white redhead with similar bright blue eyes, but never such a contrast with Mohamed’s darker skin and great mustache.
Jacqueline Gwynne, 5 months ago

Wow, that’s amazing! It’s a great portrait!
salwa, 5 months ago

best portrait I’ve ever seen
salwa, 5 months ago

Did you know if anyone in his family has the same coloured eyes? I’m curious about the genetics.
salwa, 5 months ago

*do
Craig Goldsmith in reply to salwa’s comment, 5 months ago

Salwa I did try to ask if his family had similar eyes, but the language barrier didn’t help me get my point across, my Arabic aint great past 12 or so words and his English didn’t extend much further when what he knew to point out at the temple. I’d have loved to have known too.
Sara Lamond, 5 months ago

Stunning color Craig – and an interesting portrait.
Melinda Kerr, 5 months ago

And you were worried about not getting great shots!! This is brilliant portraiture. Well done Mr Goldsmith and welcome home!
Craig Goldsmith in reply to Melinda Kerr’s comment, 5 months ago

This might be the best of just a handful of decent (RB worthy images), but I do like this one and the story behind it :) Thanks Mel!
hilarydougill, 5 months ago

Wonderful capture of a wonderful subject. There are quite a few blue eyed people in the Middle East and surrounds of what used to be called Arabia, Possibly something to do with Richard the Lionheart’s lot and their visits. haha
vinee, 5 months ago

Oh Craig you were really lucky that you could captivate such beautiful eyes!!! Beautiful shot plus it shows that how much fun you might have had.
Matthew Bonnin..., 5 months ago

Spectacular shot craig. Well done.
petelangman, 5 months ago

wow…. what a portrait, those eyes
Anita Donohoe, 5 months ago

Stunning portrait, Craig!
amazing colors and textures
George Lenz, 5 months ago

Nat’l Geo….. you’re on your way….lol… good one….
Tony Moore, 5 months ago

Great tones and composition, reminds me of Dune.
Great work
FAVED
berndt2, 5 months ago

Spectacular portrait – depth of field perfect, and the colour is amazing! (the eyes are incredible, and I love how they stand out against both the face and the rest of the photo. Also, gotta love the detail in the fabric of the clothes)
Shaddy, 5 months ago

Wow! That’s amazing Craig. Reminds me of a National Geographic cover from a few years ago. Great shot.
Quigi, 5 months ago

Fantastic capture. Those eye’s remind me a bit of Herbert’s “Dune” series. Awesome work.
funkyfacestudio, 5 months ago

This is really fantastic !!!
JennyDean, 5 months ago

stunning shot.
Steven Sandner, 5 months ago

Great portrait!
Murray Newham, 5 months ago

feels like he just stole my soul through his eyes…
Angela McConnell, 5 months ago

i LOVE the eyes but also the way the colour of his headdress complements his skin tone and the backround, it really makes his eyes stand even more
saltash, 5 months ago

beautiful colour and depth of field
rochelle, 5 months ago

great portrait – so what is it about portraits and cliche??
Neophytos, 5 months ago

You are absolutely right ,those eyes are very striking Graig,GOOD image
Stephen Colquitt, 5 months ago

Super image Craig. I like his Mo too.
Craig Goldsmith in reply to rochelle’s comment, 5 months ago

Rochelle – Leek had challenged me to come back from Egypt and try to avoid the cliche and tired old tourist shots. I did my best, but I still took them too, they just aren’t RB material.
Kathryn Potempski, 5 months ago

Absolutely breathtaking shot. I love it. the color of his eyes are breathtaking he could make a million on photos
Kiwikiwi, 5 months ago

This is an amazing photo, you are really drawn into it. Great work.
jaffa, 5 months ago

wonderful capture and wonderful eyes.
tjmimagery, 5 months ago

All of the above Craig, very well done.
Eyal Nahmias, 5 months ago

Great image craig. You definitely captured an amazing look and feature which is not as common in Arab countries but it is a well know phenomenon. In fact, there’s an entire tribe of Bedouins known to have blue eyes living on the Arabian Peninsula, and being in Sinai I personally met a few with striking blue eyes. Rumor has it they are descendents of the mostly European Crusaders. And, even outside those genetic bounds, there are plenty of blue, and green-eyed folks of Arabian descent in Saudi, Jordan and Syria, to name a few. So this image is also a wonderful genetic documentary in a way… and, a fantastic addition of people portraiture from Egypt to the Art in the Middle East group.
Craig Goldsmith in reply to Eyal Nahmias’s comment, 5 months ago

Eyal – Thank you for the history behind this phenomenon, as I said it was the only blue eyed Egyptian I had the pleasure of meeting, but it doesn’t surprised me that there is more. It seems the modern day Egyptian is a genetic melting pot from all the previous, visitors, conquers and settlers of the land.
Jill Doyle, 5 months ago

Magnificent portrait!
Per Einar Gunn..., 5 months ago

This is amazing, Great shot!
Valli Boldini ..., 5 months ago

Fabulous capture. His eyes are truly mesmerising!
u03ajp4, 5 months ago

seminal#
NuhSarche, 5 months ago

really great!!!!!!
Rebecca Barker, 5 months ago

excellent portrait so much character well done
Albert1000, 4 months ago

Excellent.
Ariithka, 4 months ago

I’m not normally a fan of portraits, takes something amazing for me to like it.

This is much more, definitely a once in a lifetime photo. Wow.
ApeArt, 4 months ago

amazing shot, great textures
tambatoys, 4 months ago

wow incredible eyes and lovely shot
shawhouse, 4 months ago

nice image
Ciaran O'Hagan, 4 months ago

great shot, amazing eyes…could pierce right through you
Cliff vestergaard, 4 months ago

What can I say ? I could feel the image as If was there. NICELY DONE
Cvail73, 4 months ago

incredible eyes indeed!!!
Mette Spange, 4 months ago

I love this portrait..I lived in Egypt for 5 years an recognise everything about this photo. It is wonderful – Egypt captured in a photo!
David Harris, 4 months ago

I have been to that temple too! Amazing place and county! This is such a great image!!! Those cobalt eyes! I bet he has had comments on those peepers all his life!! Great work!
Taylor Jury, 4 months ago

Quite odd that he has eyes like that. They are intense. Awesome shot though.
mlgkats, 4 months ago

this is a great portrait , well done, great eye shot you really don’t see hem with blue eyesich make s him unique
tomg, 4 months ago

Wonderful find. You have pictured him very sympathetically. Lovely shot …
Matthew Stewart, 4 months ago

Incredible eyes, a spectacular portrait.
Fiona MacNab, 4 months ago

Great portrait, those eyes really stand out.
Patricia L. Ba..., 4 months ago

Beautiful shot, Craig. Not just capturing him, but the whole color scheme.
Kitsmumma, 4 months ago

Those eyes are electric. What a face and shot, definately worth the money.
Damian, 4 months ago

Wonderful work, a very cool portrait.
Caroline Bland, 3 months ago

Gosh, how did I miss this earlier. Superb portrait.
Paul Tupman, 3 months ago

Wow, what a stunning portrait and great story to go with it.. you were very lucky to meet this man as his eyes are amazing and just jump out at you in this shot. Brilliant framing and DoF.. and interesting backdrop but you wouldnt want anything to distract from the subject… an instant favourite!
Roberta Ponte, 3 months ago

great capture !!
R Tori, 3 months ago

wow….............
sharka, 3 months ago

Great portrait.
Cain Doherty, 2 months ago

enchanting – ripper portrait mate
pinkyjain, 2 months ago

Such a wonderful & captivating portrait of Mohamed
greenfrog153, 2 months ago

What a beautiful portrait Craig.
EnPassant, 2 months ago

Such sad eyes. Beautiful photo Craig.
inge, 2 months ago

hey nice pick,
wellman, 2 months ago

money well spent on those amazing eyes – a wonderful portrait!
Nikki Trexel, 2 months ago

awesome sight and capture. great opportunity.
itsallgoodamanda, 2 months ago

Stunning photo !
KENDALL EUTEMEY, about 1 month ago

Hi Craig. What a fantastic portrait! Great eyes.
johnr, 12 days ago

super image—better again if cropped right in.
kathibook, 12 days ago

This is just wonderful! Amazing! Your entire portfolio is remarkable!