catchlights

[angeleyes216]

How do you know what postion to place the catchlights? Is there a set rule for such?

[xxpinballxx]

What a little ham...she really does love posing for you!
I wondered the same thing....I know there is someone here that likes adding catchlights but for the life of me cant remember who!

[thingy]

Could that be clockdoc?

G

[clockdoc]

Hi Angeleyes216 and pinball. Guilty as charged regarding catchlights. 8-) In a typical portrait setting, the main or key light is usually placed high and to either side of the camera with the fill light directly over, or very close to, the camera lens. That setup would put the main catchlight at either 10 o'clock or 2 o'clock. There are really no hard and fast rules as you want what looksnatural based on the direction of the light. Try to look at lots of portraits and study where the catchlight are and what shapes they come in. You will find some looking rectangular and when studios use large umbrellas for lighting, you get LARGE round catchlights. Experiment with some portraits you find on the 'net and clone out the existing catchlights and add your own. In the case of the little swimmer, you probably used an onboard flash. Her catchlights are more centrally placed. Experiment with perhaps making her larger and changing the position. Also try changing the catchlights in portraits you find on the web. I'd like to see any results folks have from this exercise if you have time to post. Please don't hesitate to ask questions if I have confused you.

[xxpinballxx]

Clockdoc it was....I think it was a photo of a baby you mentioned liking to play with catchlights.
Thanks for chiming in I don't know much about them.

[angeleyes216]

Originally Posted by xxpinballxx

Clockdoc it was....I think it was a photo of a baby you mentioned liking to play with catchlights.
Thanks for chiming in I don't know much about them.

Clockdoc you have taught me so much..thanks