Catch Lights…what are they, and why do you care?

What are catch lights?

Catch lights are the “sparkle” in your subjects eye.  They are created by the light source, which could be an umbrella, a soft box, a window.  If you are outside, they are created by the sun.

When you are looking in a mirror, you will see them – created by the light in your room.

When I first became “conscious” of catch lights, I became obsessed.

Every movie I watched, I was focused on where the light source was coming from.  Every magazine I looked at, I was analyzing the photos to see what shape the catch light was, how many there were, and where they were positioned on the eye.  When I was chatting with friends, I would be looking at their eyes to see where the light was falling…I have to admit, it got a little weird!

But, it made me more aware in the studio.

Most people are not consciously aware of the catch light.  Yet, if it is missing, the photo just ‘feels off’ – most of your clients wouldn’t say, “hey – the catch light is missing!” – but, the photo just lacks “oomph”  The subject doesn’t look “alive”

Catch light Shape

Now, what shape the catchlight is comes down to the equipment you have available, and your preferences.

If you use an umbrella, an octobox, or a beauty dish, or you are shooting outdoors, the catch light will be a circle.

If you are using a softbox, or a window, you will find the catchlight is a square.

Which is better?   There is no “better”  – it’s a matter of personal preference.

The softbox emulates a large window, so if that is the look you are going for, you are better off with a softbox over an umbrella.

Now, regardless of the catchlight being square or circular, you DO want to be aware of the position of the catchlight in your subject’s eyes.

Catch light placement

Generally, the most pleasing position is to be in the 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock position (the top part of the eye).

Once you dip into the lower half, you run into what is referred to as “ghoul lighting”  – just think of  ‘flashlight under the chin while telling a scary story around the campfire look” – it isn’t all that flattering!

Where this becomes especially important is with newborn sessions, where the babies are lying on their backs, or in mom or dad’s arms.

Here, you will need to make sure you are moving the light to the side closest to the top of their head.

The top photo shows good placement. The middle photo, the placement is questionable – as it fall pretty much dead centre of the eye. The bottom photo – GHOUL LIGHTING!  I definitely needed to switch the position of my lights!

Missing Catchlights

Now – what happens if you take the shot, and for one reason or another, the catchlight is either missing, or is too low in the eye.  The photo of the girl above actually didn’t have catch lights, as you can see here.

Sometimes the subject has turned away, so you only see the catch light in one eye…or sometimes it is missing entirely.

You can see the effect is “dead eyes”  – a lifeless subject…missing that “spark!”

So, what can you do?  Digitally add one!

You can either copy the catchlight from a previous shot – or you can create your own, using brushes or shapes in photoshop – just be sure to lower the opacity and use a soft brush to soften the edges so you don’t end up with some crazy fake looking catchlight (as you see in this sample!)

The result, some pretty realistic looking catch lights.

Now, when you KNOW they have been digitally altered, you will be able to tell (or at least you will convince yourself you can)…but will your clients?  When you saw the first photo at the top of the post, did you think, “Hm…I think those catchlights have been added?”  Chances are, you did not.

As you get more familiar with studio lighting, positioning the lights to ensure a pleasing catchlight will become second nature.  Until then, try to remember to “check in” during your sessions to ensure the light placement is where you want it.

Coming up next…“the artist vs the salesman…which one are you?”

P.S. Interested in learning more lighting tips?  Check out the online bootcamp for beginners, and learn from my trial & error.  Find out just how easy it is to take studio portraits with easy lighting set-ups that clients love.

P.P.S. Have some studio experience but struggling with the business side of things? Check out Prairie Child’s, “Getting Down to Business” workbook, because running a photography business is only fun if you get paid…and anyone who tells you otherwise is either lying or independently wealthy!

Miss lesson 3? Click here to read it

(want to jump ahead to Lesson #5?  I’ll still send it to you online, but you can skip ahead now: Click here)