Have you ever wondered what makes a portrait stand out from all the rest? Some portraits just really pop, where others seem dull and lifeless. What is it about a photo that gives it that spark? What are the elements that bring a portrait to life? Well, more often than not, it’s the eyes. Isn’t it always the eyes? In particular, it’s the catchlight, or the eyelights that make a portrait lively and exaggerate the subject’s expression. 

<br class="spacer_" />
<div><a title="Blushing Bride, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/got2bme/2732085202/" target="_blank">[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="640" height="426" alt="" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/catchlights1.jpg"]</a></div>
&nbsp;
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Blushing Bride</em>
Photo by Kimberly Brimhall Scott</p>
<br class="spacer_" />

Catchlights are the glimmer or flicker of light captured by the camera in the subject’s eyes. This happens when the principle source of light in the room is caught on camera, animating the subject and making their eyes really come to life. The size and shape of the catchlight depends on the light source and the distance of the source in relation to the subject. 

There’s no hard and fast rule as to best position of catchlights, it is a matter of personal preference. However, the most typical position for portraiture is the <strong>10 and 2 o’clock</strong> positions, or the upper corners of the iris, this creates the most “natural” looking eye. There are many ways to adjust the position of the eyelights, or enhance them to create interesting effects. Using reflectors and umbrella lights can produce dramatic results, but can also produce several catchlights which might over-exaggerate the eye causing the portrait to look unnatural. 

<br class="spacer_" />
<div><a title="Portrait Of A Girl, on Flickr" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristjanfreyr/4986127412/" target="_blank">[imageeffect type="frame" align="aligncenter" width="640" height="640" alt="" url="http://thebeginnerslens.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/catchlights2.jpg"]</a></div>
&nbsp;
<p style="text-align: center;"><em>Portrait Of A Girl</em>
Photo by Kristjan Freyr</p>
<br class="spacer_" />

Ultimately, for most casual photographers it is more effective to take note of the position of the light source and work with what is available to you at the time. If you happen to have a reflector with you, move it around the subject or place it on the subjects lap and test the way it affects the light source and the resulting catchlights. 
