Despite their seemingly minor detail, catch lights stir controversy among photographers, sparking discussions around whether they genuinely impact the quality of portraits or merely distract from more important elements of lighting and composition.
Coming to you from Scott Choucino with Tin House Studio, this straightforward video tackles the confusion around catch lights head-on, offering insight into when they truly matter—and when they don’t. Choucino explores the misconceptions that have turned catch lights into an oddly controversial issue, pointing out the absurdity of obsessing over their number and placement. He emphasizes that catch lights are a natural byproduct of lighting, not the objective itself, and criticizes the fixation on perfecting catch lights at the expense of overall portrait quality. According to Choucino, prioritizing catch lights over other lighting choices limits creativity and undermines the subject's natural appearance.
Choucino acknowledges scenarios where catch lights carry significance, such as product photography or specific creative decisions involving glasses or sunglasses. He highlights how the reflection in eyewear can serve intentional artistic purposes or practical needs. However, he strongly argues that catch lights rarely deserve priority in typical portrait sessions, especially when focusing excessively on them can detract from portraying the subject authentically. His perspective challenges the prevalent notion in certain photography circles that catch lights should dominate lighting decisions, underscoring instead the value of intentional, subject-focused lighting choices.
Addressing misconceptions about commonly recommended practices, Choucino also critiques the arbitrary adherence to setups like the three-light kit, suggesting these methods are often promoted by equipment manufacturers rather than reflecting real-world professional practices. His critique extends to overly rigid techniques that prioritize technical precision over the expressive potential of lighting. Choucino's advice encourages a more pragmatic approach—using catch lights as incidental indicators of good lighting rather than the endpoint of lighting design.
Further emphasizing practicality, the video explains logistical considerations influencing catch light placement, such as room layout and existing natural light. By demystifying the process behind lighting setups, Choucino provides relatable examples of how environmental constraints and personal comfort influence lighting choices more realistically than catch lights themselves. This candid discussion helps demote catch lights from an artificially inflated priority to a more natural component of photographic lighting. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Choucino.
