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02/13/2006 06:49:48 AM · #1 |
A few nice people commented on a self portrait I did and said a catch light on the eye would help but no one said what one was and im dumb:) any help
T. Wiggins |
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02/13/2006 06:58:43 AM · #2 |
It's a little pinpoint light that is reflected in the eyeball. It adds a sparkle to the eye. It's actually used a lot in stills work asd well as movies. I believe it can be as small as a baby maglite
Brett |
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02/13/2006 07:41:59 AM · #3 |
| I've only ever been in a studio environment once, so I'm no expert, but Soft boxes etc create catch lights in the eyes of your subject. Different shapes produce different effects. A square soft box with a piece of black material in the centre is supposed to create little rings which is nice! |
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02/13/2006 10:11:55 AM · #4 |
KiwiPix is correct, sorry pix-al, soft boxes are usually for a broard wash of light.
Also, another way to have catch light, and a cool way to see the eyes is to get a "ring light".
Kino Flo sells them, and of course they use flourescents.
Old School is to find a small cable spool, take one end off giving you a 'dohnut' shaped circle.
Wire recepticles around the circle making sure that they are all evenly spaced,(if you know what you are doing add a dimmer to the mix), throw some bulbs (globes) in, put it on a stand, plug it in, and put your camera through the middle of the dohnut.
If all is good, you will notice that now you have a key light for close ups, and the lit circle will reflect in the eyes of the subject, creating a small circle inside each eye.
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02/13/2006 10:20:32 AM · #5 |
| In portrait photography, the catchlights "SHOULD" be at either the 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock position, and never in the pupil. I have a really hard time in studio always getting the catchlights in the right places while still having the lighting where I need it. Sometimes I move the catchlights in PS. |
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02/13/2006 10:38:50 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by idnic:
In portrait photography, the catchlights "SHOULD" be at either the 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock position, and never in the pupil. I have a really hard time in studio always getting the catchlights in the right places while still having the lighting where I need it. Sometimes I move the catchlights in PS. |
That sounds like 'fill' light.
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02/13/2006 10:45:23 AM · #7 |
Yep, I've heard 11 o'clock or 1 o'clock.
I'm also having a hard time keeping them out of the center and I've been getting two! :(
or none. I'll figure it out one of these days.
Message edited by author 2006-02-13 10:47:07. |
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02/13/2006 10:48:43 AM · #8 |
Originally posted by American_Horse:
Originally posted by idnic:
In portrait photography, the catchlights "SHOULD" be at either the 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock position, and never in the pupil. I have a really hard time in studio always getting the catchlights in the right places while still having the lighting where I need it. Sometimes I move the catchlights in PS. |
That sounds like 'fill' light. |
Fill light is the light normally used opposite the key light to fill in shadow areas for more detail. |
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02/13/2006 10:52:59 AM · #9 |
In photography, "catchlight" is defined as the "reflection of a light source in the subject's eyes". It doesn't refer to any particular sort of light, or style of lighting, or anything else. A catchlight can be created by the sun, and often is.
Full-face portraits that lack catchlights usually look dull and uninteresting. Good portrait photographers working in controlled lighting will go to great lengths to create interesting, well-placed catchlights.
Robt.
Message edited by author 2006-02-13 10:53:30.
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02/13/2006 10:54:34 AM · #10 |
There's no magic formula for getting a catchlight in the eye - it's just a term used to describe virtually any source of light reflected in the eye. Here are a few examples off the top of my head:
 <-- Window catchlight
 <-- Ringlight catchlight
 <-- Reflector catchlight
 <-- Softbox catchlight
 <-- Horizon/sun catchlight
 <-- Reflectionoffmyhead catchlight |
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02/13/2006 10:56:36 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by idnic:
Fill light is the light normally used opposite the key light to fill in shadow areas for more detail. |
I'm sorry, you may know what you are talking about, but your discriptions are contrary to my own experience.
When you say "opposite" the key, I think back light.
Light from the degrees you mentioned are fill, to me.
Catch light to me are usually either a small lighting instrument used to enhance the eyes, a ring light, a supplemental source, a reflector, or a bounce of light. Especially good for people with wrinkles.
I am not saying you are wrong, but our two languages would never come together on set. But, I would get you a cup of coffee anyway.
Message edited by author 2006-02-13 11:00:14.
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02/13/2006 11:01:46 AM · #12 |
I have been working on some portraiture. I find that it isn't easy to get all of the elements right, but as i move forward with it things seem to be coming together.
Here is my latest. Done with one softbox to camera left (making catchlight) and a reflector close to model's left.
It's hard to get the catchlight right where you want it as it is all related to angle of head, height of light and distances of light and camera to model.
Hope this helps.
Rick
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02/13/2006 11:12:21 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by American_Horse:
But, I would get you a cup of coffee anyway. |
Make that a Mountain Dew and you have a deal! :) |
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02/13/2006 11:19:50 AM · #14 |
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