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Catch Light - Specular Highlights in Photography

Catch Light - Specular Highlights in Photography

Specular highlights are the bright spots of light found on shiny objects when lit by a light source. Catch light refers to that specular highlight in the eye of the subject. It can come from a natural source, such as the sun, or from a flash or lightbulb, or anything else that is reflected in the surface of the eye.

Catch lights draw attention to the eyes of the subject, as seen below:

Flammulated Owl - Catch Light Example

What you see reflected in the squirrel's eye is me. The blue is my jeans.

Squirrel - Catch Light Example

Giraffe - Catch Light Example

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Posted by Debi Boucher - "Realtor Showcase" Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours on 02/28/2010 12:06 PM

Comments (49)

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49 Comments on Catch Light - Specular Highlights in Photography

FEB

2010

Those are really great photos . while I wuld love to be this talented my point and shoot I am afriad will not let me be

Debi - what great photos, as all of yours are. You've caught the eyes superbly.

Hi Debi! "I see"! This is something I never would have thought about, thanks Debi. These eyes are beautiful with their catch lights :-)

Eye thought your photos are gorgeous as usual Debi! These shots evoke emotion for me, maybe it's the closeness of your shots.

Hi Charlei - I have seen some fabulous shots made with P&S cameras - Practice is the key!

Leah - Thank you very much!

Mary - AHA! LOL Not always lucky enough to 'catch' them, but it's great when you can!

Wanda- Eye thank you! Yes, I think close ups do a much better job of pulling out emotion in the viewer.

Thanks!

Debi

Debi coming here is always a great experience ,I appreciate your lovely photos and your desire to make us better photographers; sorry that in my case it is hopeless :)

LOL Jennifer! NO ONE IS HOPELESS! As I said to Charlie, it just takes practice, and a willingness to think about it before you press the shutter.

Debi

Lady You are one outstanding photographer - I agree with all a visit to your posts is well worth the time

Of course, why eye never thought of the light in the eye shot. never cross my mind. Thanks for the brain jiggle, superb photos.

~ Life is Good ~

Who knew a squirrel would one day help teach me something about photography. Beautiful shots, Debi!

Thank you very much for saying so, Karen. I'm happy you like my work :)

Hey Roy - You are welcome for the brain jiggle, LOL

John - Aha! You never know what you may learn from! LOL

Debi

Debi, thank you for explaining the difference and sharing your beautiful photos.

Debi,

Thanks for the lesson....I've never heard that prase before....

beautiful photos!

Jo

Debi, Your photography and your beautiful work just keep me speechless. I am calling tomorrow about the information which I still haven't gotten and look forward to working with you on a wonderful project! So glad to have found you!

Hi Silvia - and thank you for your visit!

Hi Jo - thank you - and you're welcome :)

Carole - Me too! I can't wait to get started!

Debi

Oh these are so much fin to look at...such unusual close-ups and crops....such a gift you have, Debi, and I'm grateful you share it with us!

Wow, Debi

Awesome photos. Thanks for posting them for us to enjoy.

Mary

I've always know them as "glints".

I learn something new all the time here on you blog Debi.

Thank you my friend.

What beautiful pictures. Question, is that nutzy the squirrel?

Hi Mara - you are welcome, and thank you for stopping by to check it out!

Hi Mary - Thank you!

Craig - Is that possibly due to people noticing the 'glint' in your eye? LOL

Kenneth - No, it's not the infamous Nutzy! LOL

Debi

Hi Cuz..I assume this takes a practiced eye...so you wear Jeans to work :O))

Debi - You really ought to write a book about all this! It would likely sell like hotcakes! By the way, what lens did you use? Was it uour 50mm with the Hoya closeup lens?

Hey Fred! Yes, but more than that, LUCK! I wear jeans more often than not, LOL

Hi Myrl - No, these were taken with the 70-300. Why buy a book when I post it here? LOL Thanks, Myrl, you're a good friend :)

Debi

Deb,

The detail in the pictures is superb. Are you using AF or MF? BTW, I'm glad to see you're not using special highlight filters.

Rich

Hi Debi, I get the impression that you don't shoot until you see the lights in their eyes . . .

Hi Rich - I really don't remember on these if was AF or Manual, it depends on how it's looking to me, I switch back and forth depending on the shots. But for the most part, the 300mm does a good job of focusing. No, no highlight filters! Don't even own any. Except for a star filter for night shots I've used a couple times :)

Frank, I am literally rolling on the floor! Too funny!

Debi

MAR

2010

Well I guess I need to get up the courage to mount up that 70 x 300. I find it difficult to believe you can get that great of clarity with that kind of distance. . .Amazing! Were you using a tripod!

Myrl - I was close to all these subjects to begin with, within 3 or 4 feet, then used the zoom to get right in there - the 70-300mm is a nice sharp lens :) And remember, sharpening in post processing is a must! No tripod.

Debi

Debi, great shots and thanks for the lesson. My problem is that I don't shoot enough to get good at it. I think photography is like anything else--you have to use it or you lose it, except for you pros out there.

Deb- those are amazing photographs. Thank you for sharing them. I love the detail and the information about catch light.

I don't know Debi. There's something in my eye. But I'm pretty sure it's not a glint!!!

Debi,

Whether it is light, perfect timing and/or your detailed eye, you know how to mesmerize us with your beautiful photos! Thank you for the tips. I will make sure to remember and try to capture more catch light. :)

Hi Debi,

Thanks for the tips. I will be putting as much to use this month as possible. I am in Hawaii for the month and will be taking an abundance of photos I am sure!!!! Hope you have a great day!

Dawn

Marlene - I agree, like anything else, it takes practice and consistency.

Sharon - Thank you, I'm glad you liked it, and found the info useful :)

Craig - OMGosh! Ther IS something in your eye! Need some eye drops? LOL

Gerry - Thank you for the thoughtful words :) Go get some light! LOL

Dawn - I can't wait to see the images you come home with! You are a terrific photographer, and in an ideal place to make use of it!

Debi

MAR

2010

Does it apply to a cat's eye, too, like this:

Cat's eye

Actually, now that I look more closely, I see catch light in there. Is it called anything when the cat's pupil lights up like that, similar to red eye in people? Zoey the Cool Cat has green pupils, but our previous cat, Sophie, had dark orange ones, and my mom's cat that just died had light yellow-orange ones.

I'm good! Thanks!!!

Hey, Debi. You never stop amazing me. Thanks for sharing, Jim

Hi Jim, I don't see a photo in there - just a black box around the words 'cat's eye'....so I don't know!

Craig - I DO see your photo! Glad you're all set! LOL

Hi Jim - Thanks for stopping by! :)

Debi

Debi,

Fantastic photos. You really captured the persoanlity of each animal with your shots. :)

Steve

Debi-I hope you're not getting tired of all the praise for you photos and your ability because you can add my praise to the list too! Have you done much work with film photography? How easy was your transition to digital? I'm still trying to make the transition.

MAR

2010

Deb-How the heck did you get so close? Beautiful-just beautiful!!

**FEATURED** at Active Rain Animal Photography

Steve - Thank you very much!

Nick - No, I did not work with film. I was shooting snapshots in those days :) And thank you - what I enjoy very much is sharing tips and ideas with others - if anyone enjoys them, then I'm happy.

Debra- The owl was shot while on a field trip with some students and a professor from CU that were studying them, I posted about it here. The squirrel was happy to have me visiting, and at one point was right at my feet, and the giraffe was at the zoo.Thanks for the feature!

Debi

Here in New York you can't get within 20 feet of a squirrel. Wow!

Hi Deb! You guys out there aren't mean to them, are you? LOL

Debi

Well-other than rock throwing, no. NO just kidding. I would never! In Louisiana they come right up to your feet also. Just like ducks....you can feed them in the parks with bread and they come by the hundreds just like ducks. It is kind of creepy actually.

Debi -- All I can say is Wow! You sure do get right up there... Love these shots.... Beautiful

MAR

2010

LOL Debra! Hundreds of them would freak me out, too! But on the other hand, it would be a great photo op.... :)

Hi Robert - Thank you very much! Yes, I do.... :)

Debi

DEC

2010

Those are some great catch lights on the owl's eyes.

I created a list of examples of in studio catch lights from various light modifiers for those interested to view at:

http://glamourphotography.co/?p=739

These include various shapes of light boxes, beauty dishes and ring flash units.

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