"How Vectors Involve You"
This section really struck me a little. I've taken pictures for such a long time, some for artistic value and others just because I wanted to take a picture! I never noticed that the pictures where the subject makes eye contact is more striking then having them not. Striking isn't exactly the right word of course, but more that I selected the words "eye contact"; you feel like you're part of the scene in a way, like the character is actually looking at you. While pictures where no eye contact is made, the audience member isn't engaged into feeling part of the picture.
I love doing photography, and I never realized this aspect exactly for what reason, but I have noticed a different impact with eye contact or without. The pictures I take will definitely have this new knowledge implemented into them from here on out!!!
I agree
As with the "Candy Cigarette" photo, the subject making eye contact with the lens kind of sucks the viewer into the photo. I know we can all tell the difference between making eye contact with a person and looking at a photo, but in this case it shifts your role as the viewer from invisable, to aknowledged observer.
Good observation.