Photography Tip: Catch-Light in the Eyes - Portrait Photography

Catch-Light in the Eye - Portrait Photography

Portrait Photography Tip

I love taking portraits of people on the streets. I don’t like the technical side of the image above. I could have asked the kind gentleman to be a few steps away from the background. As you will see in a video in a few weeks, this was a tight place, and I had to make quick decisions not to waste Antonio’s time. If you are taking portraits, try to have a cleaner background or “separation” from it. Look at the image again. Aren’t your eyes drawn to the glasses on the shelves? It’s also because the person's eyes lack shine due to his large spectacles. In movies and portraits, "catch-light" is always placed at an angle relative to the subject, allowing the light to reflect in the eyes. In films, if you want to make a person appear "dead”, you turn that light off, and their eyes become non-reflective black. Welcome to my world! This is why I won’t choose this image when publishing a series of photos I took of this artisan! There are a few workarounds, and I can “tweak” a few objects in Photoshop to make it cleaner! Time and my mood will tell! 

If you're eager to learn more, I invite you to enrol in my online course on photography for beginners. You will discover everything from the fundamentals to advanced techniques designed to elevate your skills to an expert level. Whether you're starting with the basics or looking to refine your craft, this course will guide you every step of the way. Join us and unlock your creative potential!