BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Catchlight Question

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July 26, 2007

Understand that a catchlight is really nothing more than the eyes of your subject catching or reflecting the light source. So, this is something you see in people of course, not outdoor scenes like sunsets. With a technique called "Rembrandt lighting" if you place a single light source at the 10:00 or 2:00 position to your subject who must be looking at the camera lens, you'll produce a reflection in their eyes at one of those two positions. You can do that with any light source; a strobe, a single hot light source, even a table lamp. It doesn't have to be powerful. When you enlarge the resulting photo to a sufficient size and place it on a wall, you'll find the eyes of the subject appear to be following you.
Take it light.
Mark

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July 29, 2007

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July 29, 2007

This is what type of catchlights I'm trying to acheive. If you're too busy, I completely understand of course.
Jen

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July 29, 2007

http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/QnAdetail.php?threadID=29651

If you are still having trouble and can not acheive theeffect you want , may I suggest emailing Jane and asking the conditions for the Portrait in question.
I hope this helps,
Debby

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July 30, 2007

First, the size of the catch light (say one in each eye) depends on the general light of the surroundings. You'll notice in studio portraits taken in dark surroundings with a single strobe, that the catch light may seem larger and brighter. The reason is because as the size of the pupil opens up in response to the dimly lit room, it provides a slightly larger dark surface of the eye for the light to reflect on as opposed to when the pupil constricts in brigher surroundings and the iris (colored part of the eye) appears larger.

So I think to get the larger catchlights you want, you need to do two things: First, shoot with a somewhat larger light source, say a medium power monolight. Also, the kind of reflector you use, if any, will determine the shape and to some extent, the size of the catchlight. E.g., a round reflector will produce round catchlights. A square softbox will produce a square one. Multiple lights will, depending on their position to the subject, produce multiple catchlights.

Also, remember that in placing your lights, you need to avoid bouncing them directly off the subject's retina which will produce red eye in a setting where their pupils are dialated. That's true, regardless of the light source. To avoid that problem, just get the subject's eyes out of the direct or straight line of sight of the light source.

If you're trying to increase catchlights outside without a strobe, use a large reflector panel, perhaps a large round one supported on a stand or by an assistant. AND when you're setting up and working with a natural light source, say sunlight or reflected sky, just pay careful attention to the image in the viewfinder and you will probably be able to see the size and shape of the catchlights before you shoot. The same is true when shooting in a studio-like setting using strobes with a modeling light. Try that and see what you get. Okie dokie? ;>)
Take it light.
Mark

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July 30, 2007

Second, if you use multiple light sources, you'll get multiple catchlights which is apparent in Jane's work. I don't particularly like that look in the sense I prefer a more defined, single catchlight rather than clusters of them. But it's all personal preference, I guess.
Latah.
M.

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July 30, 2007