This week's theme deals with catch lights. Catch lights are reflections in the eye stemming from a photographer's light source or set up. They give the eye more depth and create a certain feel to the photo. Most photographers strive to achieve pleasing catch lights at a 10 or 2 o'clock position in the eye, as these have been deemed the most attractive spots in which to accentuate the eye.
I decided to choose Burton for this week's photo project because he has especially hard eyes to photograph in various lighting situations. Again, I've chosen a studio shot with a dark background. I wanted the shot to be more dramatic, so I planned for back lighting.
Burton is deaf, and due to his pigmentation, his eyes include one blue, and some spots of blue in the other eye. When I photograph him, then, I am trying to add a smaller catch light (which means I need to distance my frontal light source), and not have the light reflect too highly on the blues. Sometimes they can be mistaken for catch lights.
Burton is a relatively calm (if you have a treat in your hand) dog who knows many commands and will "sit" or "down" for a treat. I used an off camera flash on a light stand just over and behind Burton's right shoulder. I used an umbrella light spaced three feet from the right tip of Burton's nose (camera left for me). This allowed the catch lights to remain small. I then simply used my treat to get him to look exactly where I needed him to focus, and as you can see, the catch lights are in the 10 o'clock position without affecting the blues in his eyes.
I decided to choose Burton for this week's photo project because he has especially hard eyes to photograph in various lighting situations. Again, I've chosen a studio shot with a dark background. I wanted the shot to be more dramatic, so I planned for back lighting.
Burton is deaf, and due to his pigmentation, his eyes include one blue, and some spots of blue in the other eye. When I photograph him, then, I am trying to add a smaller catch light (which means I need to distance my frontal light source), and not have the light reflect too highly on the blues. Sometimes they can be mistaken for catch lights.
Burton is a relatively calm (if you have a treat in your hand) dog who knows many commands and will "sit" or "down" for a treat. I used an off camera flash on a light stand just over and behind Burton's right shoulder. I used an umbrella light spaced three feet from the right tip of Burton's nose (camera left for me). This allowed the catch lights to remain small. I then simply used my treat to get him to look exactly where I needed him to focus, and as you can see, the catch lights are in the 10 o'clock position without affecting the blues in his eyes.
To catch up on more catch lights, head over to Cincinnati pet photographer, Suzi Pix Photography. There is a small circle this week, but should nevertheless be fun to see the outcomes.
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