Catch light

The word "catch light" or "catchlight" can refer to either the light source or the highlight itself that produces a specular highlight in a subject's eye in an image. [1] They are also known as "eye lights" or "Obies," the latter of which is a nod to Merle Oberon, for whom the light was created by Ballard's then-husband, cinematographer Lucien Ballard. The catch light is either a byproduct of the lighting technique used or was designed specifically to provide a sparkle or glint to a subject's eye during shooting. The method works well in both still and moving picture photography because it emphasizes the subject's eyes, which would otherwise be buried in the background or among other scene elements.


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Martin Kaninsky

Martin is the creator of About Photography Blog. With over 15 years of experience as a practicing photographer, Martin’s approach focuses on photography as an art form, emphasizing the stories behind the images rather than concentrating on gear.

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