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Catch light


Catch light
Photo Information
Copyright: Els van den Berkhof (Hendrika) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1752 W: 582 N: 4126] (17846)
Genre: People
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-12
Categories: Daily Life, Portrait
Camera: Sony Alpha DSLR 350, Carl Zeiss T* 18-80mm -F3.5-4.5
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/20 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Portraits that crack a smile on an Inunguak [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-06-30 1:45
Viewed: 409
Points: 66
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Yesterday I was looking for pictures to show Lisa what I meant with catchlight - because I frequently make up words that don't excist in the english language. Then she still did not know that word, so I was worried that the word did only excist in my imagination. Therefor I went and had a look in Wikipedia and indeed there was an item about "catchlight".
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Catch light or catchlight is a photography term used to describe either the specular highlight in a subject's eye from a light source, or the light source itself. They are also referred to as eye lights or Obies, the latter a reference to Merle Oberon, who was frequently lit using this technique. A catch light may be an artifact of the lighting method, or have been purposely engineered to add a glint or "spark" to a subject's eye during photography. This technique is useful in both still and motion picture photography. Adding a catch light can help draw attention to the subject's eyes, which may otherwise get lost among other elements in the scene.
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Catch light is not the same as the red-eye effect; in general, red-eye is an undesired effect (caused by the reflection of light from the retina inside the back of the eyeball), while catch lights are often aesthetically desirable, and produced by light reflecting from the front surfaces of the eye. Especially in portraiture, eyes without catch lights are often said to appear dull or lifeless. Lighting is often arranged in studio portraits specifically to create attractive catch lights.
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As a specific light source, a catch light is usually fairly dim or focused, as to not affect any other part of the scene or face. Many other lighting methods, however, are known for the distinctive or unique catch light they produce. Among those methods are ring lights, which produce several highlights in a ring, and large softboxes, which produce large, square highlights.
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While catchlights most often appear to be simply bright spots, as reflections of their surroundings they can contain entire images. This property is sometimes used as a plot point in movies and television. Typically in this trope (or cliche), computer magnification of a catch light is used to gain information about the surroundings of the person being photographed, essentially using the eye as a mirror.
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Audiences usually perceive eyes without specular highlights to be lifeless or evil, and for this reason many cinematographers specifically eliminate catch lights on antagonistic characters.
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This picture was taken on the day of the summer party at the school of my grandsons and although the classes already started I had permission of the teacher to climb over the children and make some pictures of the teachers and parents that were assisting that day.
In the northern part of our country summer holidays already started, but we live in the middle and the children have to wait until July 23 for the holiday to start.
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PS. My grandsons foot was more damaged then initially though, so the orthopeadist thought it wiser to apply a plaster cast. Now with the purple cast and red crutches Lucas feels like a cool guy again.
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The light source in this picture is the window in the classroom some 4 meters to the left. I looked silly making a picture of a white sheet of paper first to create my own white balance, but otherwise the picture would have been orange because of the outside sunscreens.
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Have a happy and healthy week,

Els
Janone, manujmehta, kiwi_explorer, lilimih33, Romeu, chrisJ, lisapw1, glint, tanburi, harpya, norenastramus, Royaldevon, boomcat, Silke, Urfaust, Refugee, Silvio2006, XOTAELE, inaam, inunguak has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To eosnut: low POVHendrika 1 07-05 02:04
To Refugee: oh boyHendrika 1 07-05 00:41
To boomcat: clowningHendrika 1 07-02 23:09
To lisapw1: teachHendrika 1 07-02 23:01
To Dingo: spaceHendrika 2 07-01 12:51
To Ejtaan: : -) wowHendrika 1 06-30 14:37
To Danert: one cast coming upHendrika 1 06-30 07:35
To Valerka: funHendrika 1 06-30 05:41
To pozaru: joyfullHendrika 1 06-30 03:58
To kiwi_explorer: naturalHendrika 1 06-30 02:50
To Janone: happyHendrika 5 06-30 02:45
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • lavan Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 567 W: 2 N: 83] (2250)
  • [2008-06-30 1:48]

nice portrait
good colors
well saturated nice to see

Very good morning dear Elsie.
You Catch the Light in a very special way. Beautiful.!
I.m sure you are a Master in Catch Can, but with Canon you cannot, need a Sony for that, right ?
Thanks for your description, took a while to read, haha
Fijne dag gewenst, Els.
Groeten van Jan

  • Great 
  • jone Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor [C: 1840 W: 69 N: 0] (17558)
  • [2008-06-30 1:54]

Hi Els dear friend ;)))
very, very nice, happy and positive expression...TFS
Have a lovely week,
J ;)

Hi Els,
That is an informative write up worth reading. Very colorful scene ... you've captured the essence of this festive occasion. Lighting and contrast is very good showing natural skin tones and color. Well composed with good resulting image quality. Tfs
Cheers,
Renier

  • Great 
  • Romeu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 286 W: 0 N: 155] (1411)
  • [2008-06-30 2:56]

Hi Els,

love this portrait! Beautiful light, colors and smille.

Congratulations,
Romeu

Hello Els!
Great light, wonderful colours, perfect focus and lovely portrait!
Beautiful composition!
Best regards!
Lili

Hi Els...
Beautiful portrait...
Nice colors...
Have a nice day...
Andro

  • Great 
  • chrisJ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4194 W: 222 N: 3837] (28103)
  • [2008-06-30 3:32]

Hi Els

Good use of a shallow dof with wonderfl, vibrant colour, & effective tight framing. Tfs!

  •      
  • pozaru Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3350 W: 689 N: 1923] (16151)
  • [2008-06-30 3:38]
  • [+]

What a joyful portrait !


thanks,
v

Hi, Els,
A nice cheerful shot. I hope, you've also had fun.
TFS
Valerka:)

Hi Els,

Terrific example of "catch light"! Nice bright, vibrant, colors. She is absolutely adorable and looks like a fun kindergarten teacher. I will be working with kindergarten children in the fall as a teacher assistant. I can't wait!

I hope you send her a copy of the portrait. Our children have been out of school since last week of May. They return August 11th. Nice long summer days.

Glad Lucas is "cool" now with his purple cast. I wish him a speedy recovery. Lisa

Hi Hendrika ,
I can feel the happyness . You realized a nice portrait of this lady . She looks to busy to be disturbed by the photographer . You did a great job with this natural light . Will we see this purple cast ?
Daniel

Hello Els

A lovely portrait here, perfect example of catchlight and excellent notes too

TFS kind regards Helen

  • Great 
  • glint Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 575 W: 2 N: 384] (2573)
  • [2008-06-30 8:05]

hello Els,
a beautifully lit portrait...catch light and all. Interesting note. Sorr to know Lucas nees additional medical attention but glad he is able to feel cool with his brightly coloured cast.
Bev

Hello Els,
Best accomplished portrait work. Great expression and light. And thanks for informative notes also.
TFS
Selahattin E

  • Great 
  • harpya Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5244 W: 181 N: 6228] (32864)
  • [2008-06-30 8:56]

Hello Els

And you perfectly made well here this "catchlight."
Beautiful visual, of colors and details!
The expression of his glance, your lines, the printed drawings
in the face they are wonderful! very well composed!
Beautiful portrait! excellent.
like me I like.
Congratulations!

Sérgio

You capture every thing beautifuly here.

:-) wow...
wat een fantastische, spetterende kleuren. en wat een leuke, spontane oogopslag.
Knap uitbelicht hoor!

Gr.,
Anneke

Hello Els,

Well, I enjoyed that explanation!
If catch light applied to the lips as well, this teacher would have two catch lights!

A great portrait and what fun there seems to have been! I like your positioning of the subject and the blurred clowns in the b/g add to the sense of fun.

Kind regards,
Bev :-)

this one is not so bad so i can comment, Els.. heehee to tell you the truth i don't comment clowns or joker look alike.. i just don't like or scared.. phobia? hehe..

lovely potrait shot of this woman in colourful hat.. the eyes are smiling too.. thanks for the note about Catch light :)

have a lovely week.

regards, terry

Hoi Henkie,
Lerares aan de drank? Hahaha mooi portret! Lekkerkleurrijk en fijn belicht toppie Elsie :-)
Hansie

  • Great 
  • boonie Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1263 W: 46 N: 1320] (6423)
  • [2008-06-30 16:09]

I know catchlight and you are right on. This image is a fine example the photograph term.
Glad to hear that Lucas' foot is on the mend. Beside all that this is a really good portrait Els.

Dan

  • Great 
  • Silke Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3368 W: 284 N: 6439] (23904)
  • [2008-06-30 18:20]

Wonderful light, colours and details
TFS
silke

merhaba dear els
excellent portrait picture and composition.wonderful lovely model and colours.well done.
best regards.
gürkan akçakır.

ciao Els..
so nice portrait.. expression you have captured is really great and true!! excellent!! thanks
ciao Marco

hello Els
i am not able to give points at the moment, i have finished all for the day but wanted to thankyou
for such an informative note
yes the portrait serves your pupose of showing the catchlight term.
thanks again
wonderful Portrait with rich colours
good sharpness with fine details
nice defused bg, fine depth of field,
good offcenter composition.
regards
Manuj Mehta
:)soon

  • Great 
  • Dingo Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3259 W: 375 N: 2713] (11644)
  • [2008-07-01 7:14]
  • [+]

Well Els, you needn't use a white sheet of paper, you could have easily used the teacher's teeth for your wb setting ;o).
Nice portrait - she must have been standing extremely still, to be this sharp at only 1/20"... I'd have liked a bit more space around her head, so everything about her would be in the picture, not in the frame (except maybe the top part of her hat). But that's just my idea...
TFS

Hoi Els
Excellent focus and beautiful portrait.
Lovely colours and details.Well shot.TFS.
Greetings
H.Ayhan
:)

Lovely bright colours in the shot Els. Nicely composed and good use of the natural light. TFS,
David

PS good to hear the boy is on the improve.

  • Great 
  • jawa Gold Star Critiquer [C: 1691 W: 0 N: 1] (11059)
  • [2008-07-03 3:21]

Hallo Els
Een heerlijke spontane foto.Alles klopt.
Gr Jos

Hola Els.
Simpático rostro.
Buen encuadre y magníficos detalles.
Buen uso de la luz.
Saludos, JL.

Hello Els,

First class image
Beautiful perspective
Excellent portrait in sharp detail
Congratulation for a good shot

Have a very good weekend,

Hi Els, fantastic portrait with wonderful expression, great colors, very well done, ciao Silvio

Hi Els,
They are lovely catchlights in her eyes, the whole portrait is very well done.
Without the CLs the face tends to lose all life.
I'm not normally a fan of low POV's for portraits, but this works perfectly, well done.
Pete.

  • Great 
  • inaam Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1738 W: 5 N: 382] (1348)
  • [2008-07-05 3:51]

Hoi Els,

Well, the catchlight - if I call it a cat's eye then road safety braod people might be offended so let is be catchlight - lol. A beautifully taken shot where luminosity is playing a significant role. In addition the smile is attractive which is of course a human factor of perception. Such a pretty shot my friend, well done.

Thanks for sharing this image.

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