How To Get Perfect Catchlights In Your Portraits - Lighting Tutorial

Catchlights are the bright, specular highlights found in a subject's eyes that are reflections of the light source(s) used to create the portrait lighting.

If you are going to shoot portraits - don’t overlook the importance of catchlights. They're a small detail that can easily make or break your shot. Catchlights play an important role in creating dimension and depth, and in adding life to a portrait by drawing attention to the eyes.

While you are setting up your portrait lighting, you should know that the catchlight will appear the same shape as the light or modifier that was used. A direct flash will generally create a pinpoint of light while a rectangular softbox will create a rectangle. Similarly, a round softbox will create a round catchlight. If you use a ring light - you will get a donut type catchlight, and the list goes on.

To begin understanding catchlights you should know that physics also causes the catchlight to appear larger in the eye the closer you put your light source or modifier to your subject and conversely the further it is from the subject - the smaller the catchlight will appear to be.

When a portrait is lit with available light, the sky, a window, or other available light sources can often be seen reflected in the eye.

For most of my portrait lighting, I want catchlights that look natural and not distracting. I follow the science and try to create catchlights that our brains are wired to expect.

So, my general approach to catchlights is to keep them round and to keep them in the upper half of the eye - which means light coming from above. If our brain sees catchlights and lighting that we expect - it is less likely to be distracting.

Occasionally - I will use something completely different and that’s ok - if it fits the creative concept of my shot.

If I am shooting with available light indoors or natural light outdoors, I have no problem with the natural catchlights that are created. Mainly because those catchlights are exactly what we would see naturally with our eyes - so it’s what our brains expect to see.

VIDEOS REFERENCED IN THIS LIGHTING TUTORIAL
Portrait Photography - Why I Shoot For The EYES!
   • Portrait Photography - Why I Shoot Fo...  

It's All About The Eyes
   • It's All About The Eyes - Best facial...  

How to find the "good side" of a persons face for a Portrait?
   • How to find the “good side” of a pers...  

SOFTWARE MENTIONED IN THIS LIGHTING TUTORIAL
Set.a.light 3D V2.5: https://www.elixxier.com/

BLACK MARBLES AT AMAZON
https://amzn.to/2V0p1yV

WEBSITES MENTIONED IN THIS LIGHTING TUTORIAL
https://www.depositphotos.com



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FTC Disclosure: No sponsors have paid for inclusion in this video. I am an Olympus Visionary photographer, a Delkin Image Maker and TetherTools Pro. These companies have provided various pieces of gear that were used in this video however all words and opinions are my own and I was not asked to produce this video.

#catchlights #portraitlighting #photographingeyes