It makes the eyes look more alive,, and real. It show's they are moist,, hence reflective. Many photographers will actually add them during post processing if they don't exist as part of the original photograph.
I've learned that catchlight can make the difference between an o.k. photo of an animal or bird and an exceptional one. And have gathered that, well done, it can be the same with people. But I noticed many of the portrait challenge entries had two lights in the eyes. Should this always be avoided? And, if so, how is that done while providing multiple light sources?
I'm so happy you brought that up. I have also heard the term but wasn't sure exactly what it meant. I am going to have a captive model for 10 days (my niece is coming to visit :) ) and I plan on taking tons of photos of her. I already warned her that she was going to be facing my lens, a lot. :) I will add "catch light" to my check list of portrait lighting technique.
A short boring discourse on catchlights.
The classic form of portraiture considers the eyes of highest importance. Examine studies of the masters and you will find the attention placed on the eyes. As a matter of fact, their idiom is to focus on the eyes. Because of their circular shape they are able to cover more area than a fish-eye lens without the distortion. Therefore any pointed source light is displayed brilliantly in the eyes. If you have one strong light on the left and one, of equal value, at half distance, which is subject to the inverse law making it one quarter as bright, no matter their placement, excepting backlights, the eye picks up the light source and displays them according to their strenght. The eyes, outside of being a lens, doubles up as mirrors. In drawing and photography these highlights lend a liquid quality to the eyes. It is the only highlight which can safely exist in the 10th Zone and be totally at home in a portrait. When shooting natutal light these highlights tend to be more diffuse and care is needed in shooting position so as to obtain the best possible placement. To the artist, the catchlights adds the definitive touch to give the eyes their texture. In short the catchlights makes the eyes come to life.
Aaah. Apologies if it was me... I left a comment suggesting a current challenge entry would be improved were there a catchlight in the eyes. I should not have assumed that the term would be readily understood and explained what I meant.
Note to self: When trying to leave helpful comments, make sure they are actually comprehensible.
