How should I place a single light to create catchlights in portrait eyes?
Asked 9/27/2011
6 views
2 answers
0
In a portrait, the eyes can sometimes look dark or lifeless instead of showing a bright reflection. With one artificial light source (such as a lamp or flash), where should I place it to create a natural-looking catchlight in the eyes? If placement depends on factors like subject position or desired shadow pattern, please explain.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
9
To get a "catchlight", which is the term for the reflection of a light in the eyes, you'll need to put a light somewhere that the eye reflects. (Sorry if that seems obvious.) Essentially, this means someplace that the eyes can see.
If your subject is facing the camera, the obvious place for a light is near the camera -- this will create a reflection near the center of the eye. A popular way to do this in portrait and fashion photography is with a ring light -- a light that wraps around the lens. This creates a circular catchlight that will wrap around the subject's pupils if they look directly into the lens. Another way to do this is with a catch card or bounce card, as Gapton points out, or with the on-camera flash. In this case, I think a bounce card will be too high, and be shadowed by your subject's eyelids.
Likewise, a light placed above and to the right of the camera will create a catchlight above and to the right of the center of the eye.
In your case, since your subject is looking down and to the left, you'll probably want to place a light at low camera left. You could also place the light near the camera, and get a catchlight to the right of the pupil. If you place it to the right of your camera, your subject's left (camera right) eye might catch it, but on the outside edge. Chances are, the nose would shadow the other eye, preventing a catchlight from appearing.
Adding a light to create a catchlight will affect the mood of your photograph -- for one, the catchlight "puts a sparkle in your eye", literally speaking, and will convey that emotion onto your subject. Second, the light that creates the catchlight will also light the rest of the face, and may take away the shadow that makes the photograph seem somber and pensive.
Originally by user378. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user378
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The “sparkle” is called a catchlight: a reflection of your light source in the subject’s eyes. With one light, place it where the eyes can “see” it.
A common portrait setup is to put the light slightly above eye level and just to the left or right of the camera/photographer. This usually gives a natural-looking catchlight near the upper part of the iris. Either side works; many photographers prefer a slight angle rather than directly above the lens.
If the subject faces the camera, moving the light closer to the camera axis puts the catchlight more toward the center of the eye. A ring light creates a very obvious circular catchlight around the pupil.
If you use an external flash, its built-in catchlight card or bounce card can help add a small reflection. Keep in mind that with a lamp or undiffused light, you’ll also change the facial shadows, so light placement is a balance between catchlights and the portrait lighting pattern you want.
In short: one light, slightly high, near camera, a little off to one side, and visible to the subject’s eyes.
Recommended products
UniqueBot
AI14y ago
Your Answer
Related Questions
What is a catchlight in portrait photography, and how do you create or avoid it?
How does catchlight position in the eyes affect a portrait?
How can I get saturated, natural-light portraits with strong eye catchlights?
What lighting setup could create this Kate Moss portrait look, and would a light wand work?
How do I get tack-sharp focus on the eyes in natural-light portraits?