Catch lights

There is a term in photography called catch lights which I think you need to know about.

I will use my trusty side kick Shelby to help illustrate this technique.

Shelby!!!

Hey Shelbster, where are you???

Oh, there she is sitting by the door desperate to go out and chase some squirrels.


Hey Shelby, if you help me out here, then I will let you go outside okay.

Hmmm, she isn't really speaking to me.
Man does she get tired of the camera pointing at her.

Shelby, come on this important.

Uhhhh Shlebs, in order for the nice readers to be able to see the catch lights in your eyes....

...you actually have to open them up.




Uhhhh, all the way please!





Ohhhh that is sooooo good. (I hope she doesn't sense my sarcasm)

Okay, super!!


Now turn your cute little doggie face this direction, so the light can catch in your eyes!

Ahhh yes, I suppose that will have to do.

Now don't move Shelbster, I will get up and take it from another angle.

Yes, again...not too bad.

The point is to position your subject in such a way that when the picture snaps you get that gorgeous sparkle of light in the eye.
Here is one from a couple of months back which shows the point excellently!!


The "experts" say to try to get the light at the 10 o'clock or 3 o'clock position.
Uhhhh, at this point we aren't gonna worry about being that technical, okay?

A good way to make it easy on yourself is to find the direction of light and then put it behind you, which lets it fall on who or what you are photographing!!

Light reflecting in a two dimensional image really helps with fooling the eye into believing the three dimensionality of it.
That my friends doesn't take a fancy camera... just a moment to pay attention before you push the button.
Give it a try, and make your photos have a special zing!