Dramatic Blue Eyes?

[ieatmiraclegrow]

How can I make the eyes stand out more in this photo? Don't bother commenting on the smooth skin because it is exactly how I wanted it and that is not what I want to be critiqued, so if you could give me any ideas on how to make these eyes stand out more, or even just tell me if they are all ready dramatic enough, I would really appreciate it.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p243/DrummerDave55/IMG_1164copy.jpg

[tripsis]

For the look you're going for, I'd like to see them a little brighter. Try playing with the dodge tool (in PhotoShop anyways).

[ieatmiraclegrow]

Oh I'm sorry, I forgot to mention which program, I do have photoshop CS3, Thank you tripsis, I'm trying that right now

[ieatmiraclegrow]

When I do that though, they don't seem natural, which is another thing i should have mentioned, i do still want a natural look to them

[tripsis]

If you overdo it, it definitely looks unnatural. Make sure you start with a very low strength (10% - 20%) and build up if necessary. Don't start out with a high percentage or it will look worse than what you started out with. Here's a quick example (sorry that they aren't two of the same images to illustrate the change, but I'd have to switch computers to get the original):

Before
http://fc56.deviantart.com/fs38/f/2008/320/9/3/Duck_8_by_cazzyae.jpg

After
http://fc84.deviantart.com/fs39/f/2008/320/3/e/Duck_7_by_cazzyae.jpg

Notice how in the first image, the eye is almost completely black. There's only a faint trace of reddish brown. The second image, on the other hand, is edited in PhotoShop using the dodge tool. Originally, it was just as black as the first image. I used the dodge tool to trace over parts of the iris, to bring out the brightness and colour.

[ieatmiraclegrow]

Ok i will try that

[chauncey]

using a mask, you might try sharpening just the eyes.

[ieatmiraclegrow]

thanks guys

[rw2]

Here is one other idea. This is a bit over done but you will get the idea. select the whites of the eyes and go under adjust hue/saturation. use the lightness tab to your liking. Do the same with the pupil/iris. This was a quick job and my selections could be a bit more accurate.
You could also sharpen them.

[ieatmiraclegrow]

o thank you

[SwingBopper]

If you really want to accent the blue irises then you need to have smaller pupils. You can edit them and fix or reshoot with some bright light in his eyes.

[ashjamesgav]

I tried to edit the eyes, but I agree with SwingBopper that the pupils are too large to really make them any more dramatic. But in the future (if you decide to reshoot) or if you're able to make the pupils smaller in PP then I recommend trying this method: http://www.flickr.com/photos/parc/2114603656/in/set-72157603471515529/

[DannyG]

In PS, make a duplicate layer and increase saturation and sharpness, then use a mask to just expose the eyes to the changes. You can also use the sponge tool set to saturation and just use it on the eyes.