Weekly Competition #148 - Catchlights. Competition

My first try at 'cutting and pasting' to the site - fingers crossed

I didn’t really know what to expect except a lot of eyes with bits of light in them. I was not surprised by the number of birds that appeared as they seem to have the biggest, roundest eyes going. It was lovely to see such a range of set ups – from almost telephoto shots in the wilds (well outdoors) to close up studio style shots.

I am no expert and therefore apologise in advance for any ‘gaffs’ I make in the technical department. I judged this competition primarily on my initial reaction to the images. Once I had reacted emotionally I looked more carefully to ascertain why I had reacted in such a way.

In the end there was one clear winner for me as it had everything I desired – an image where the eyes were brought to life by the catchlights.

I found ordering the other places much more difficult as I had very different initial reactions to them that almost muddied the waters for me.



dougf8 – beautiful composition of a dreamy, creamy cat. The sharp focus on the lead eye is spot on with each hair well defined and clean. The shallow depth of field adds so much to the atmosphere and really draws me in to the catchlights. The whole image makes me wonder what the cat is contemplating as it doesn’t appear to be focusing on anything obvious. The dark background works well except for the distracting light area to the left but the stunning lighting on the subject is well executed. Well seen and captured, you must know this feline well and it trusts you. Very compelling image even if the catchlights were ‘accidental’.

organicimages – at first sight the whole capture is alluring with those very round, pleading eyes. This feels like a B&W conversion with a colour popped manipulation of the eyes, but I can’t be sure. The focusing is off which detracts from the overall impact. The catchlights are a little blurred and do not add the needed drama to the image I was hoping for. I would have cropped the image to eliminate the dead space to the left, but that is a personal observation.

glover – magnificent owl, sharp and full of intent. Lovely definition of the beak, facial feathers and eyes. The shallow depth of field really isolates the subject and emphasises the natural colours. There are catchlights but they are lost in the amber eyes and do not add the significance I was looking for.

i-berg – a beautiful composition of a harrowing image. The juxtaposition of trauma and innocence is very compelling. The washed out colour on the lower edge adds to the ghostly feel of the haunting subject. The backlighting adds subtle drama to the dishevelled hair. The lens flare does distract a little but can also be interpreted as adding to the ethereal feel. Finally to the catchlights – they are there, as pinheads, adding more to the unearthly experience but they are not the engaging ones I was hoping for. The model – what a star!

johnriley – stunning – I love the central positioning of the all important catchlight, which is very impressive. The vulnerable female eye encased in the rigid and substantial mask is incredibly effective. The expectant gaze skyward makes you wish you could see outside the frame to witness the whole scenario. An image full of constrained emotion that more than fulfils the remit of the competition.

DrOrloff – a very tight crop eliminating any hint of the location means I am drawn to the amber eyes immediately. Black dogs can be a nightmare and this appears to be the case here. The eyes are so small they are drowning in the black fur, there are catchlights but they too are lost. The blurred nose is quite distracting, for me, and the added distraction of debris on the nose and around the eyes doesn’t help me warm to this obviously gentle giant.

patrick - what a super ‘doggy’ shot but not an eye or catchlight to be seen anywhere. Sorry, but the subject of the competition was definitely eyes and catchlights. I would be very proud of such a sharp shot under other circumstances.

davidtrout – beautiful high key image with great definition in the single strands of hair. The eyes leap out at you, framed effectively and dramatically in dark makeup, that challenge the initial illusion of youth and beauty. The icy iris (don’t know how to spell the plural, sorry), dark rim and pin prick pupils pierce through making personal contact with you questioning your interest. The catchlights are there, subtle and effective, but not with the impact I was hoping for. Excellent shot, so sharp, so clean.

Snakey – fabulous eye and catchlight. So sharp and beautifully framed with yellow. Everything about this shot is excellent – the framing, the focusing, the colour, the depth of field and all the other things I know are good but can’t think what they are at the moment. That catchlight is so intriguing, I’ve tried to work out what or where it is and whether that small bump is you.

Bill_And – compelling image with beautiful eyes but the catchlights are not that obvious or defined. The Photoshop manipulation is a little over the top but effective, in a strange sort of way. The facial expression is to die for – I can almost hear the cat muttering “Wot yer looking at?”

TOZZA27 – beguiling - yes, captivating - yes, stunning – not really. I really love children caught at close range and this little girl’s expression is beautifully ‘caught on the hop’. I was drawn straight to the eyes but found the one slightly blurred eye off putting. Maybe the DoF is a little too shallow. The catchlights are a minimal and don’t really add to the drama.

ripstar74 – the eyes have it! In this minimalist high-key image everything rests on the interest generated by the eyes – and they do, in ‘bucket loads’. The hint of facial structure through the inclusion of eyebrows, ears and, essentially, the button nose makes the child even more enthralling. The catchlights are on the small side but mirror the minimal theme. I appreciate the sharpness of the eyes; the shallow depth of field and the brave crop.

gartmore – very different image to the others posted so far. A low key B&W image with delicate and distinct lighting where the eyes gently invite you to become part of some secret. The catchlights here are subtle, unusual and of great importance to the illusion. I love the way the image is slightly off centre exposing one side of that beautiful head of hair and the hint of a bare shoulder.

nathanever82 – thank you so much for the set up information, it was very helpful to me when looking at your image. I went straight to the catchlights, the ring flash has really given up its shape here. I love their position on the iris and the fact the dark eyes mask the effect of the pupils making the catchlights more dramatic. The tight crop, lighting and depth of field work well together here allowing the lead eye to grab the attention. When I finally sat back to just enjoy this image I was struck by the natural beauty held within and the simplistic innocence portrayed.

Konrads - another beautiful owl with large, captivating amber eyes. The catchlights are minimal here and do not add anything of significance to the overall image. The shallow depth of field is possibly a little too shallow for me and leaves some important detail blurred.

bforbes – fabulous composition, sharp and dramatic. The black background is a very important element of this image as it frames the silvery feathers, yellow beak and white head effectively. The eye, with its catchlights, is small but imposing. I would have preferred a tighter crop, but that is a personal preference not a criticism.

Heidi – I can see why this is one of your favourite photos as it is a lucky shot taken well. The depth of field is spot on leaving just enough detail to give form to the subject. The bead-like eyes and delicate catchlights really bring this little fella to life. I love the exact detail to be seen in the whiskers. Well done.

Dr. Mhuni – another beautiful head of hair framing an even more beautiful face. The lead eye and catchlight add the all-important drama but the other eye feels misplaced and awkward. The arm leaving and entering the frame also unbalances the overall feel of the image, again this is down to personal preferences and, in no way, is a criticism. I prefer fewer distractions when met with such a captivating subject.

JudithAnn – I agree the catchlights are wonderful here and add so much life to the image. The colour anomaly adds another dimension to the main subject – the eyes. I know the photo has not been cropped and you must have your reasons for that but I found the intrusion of the teeth a little uncomfortable. A slight crop would have eliminated the distraction but still left the softness of the lips.

gregmoll – I’m sorry but I really didn’t feel comfortable with this image for a number of reasons. It feels a little overexposed and out of focus, especially the eye, to me. The catchlight is there but adds nothing to the image. The three strands of grass emerging from the bird’s body are distracting as are the weeds. You said it was a nervous bird and you did well to capture it is so closely, but it doesn’t really fit the competition requirements.

mikew – top marks for ingenuity – very effective capture. I agree, not really eyes but the illusion of something or someone looking at you is quite unnerving, and that flat ‘bit’ just adds to the characterisation. I know you called that light bit a catchlight, but it is not what I would describe as an effective catchlight. I do like this shot (I don’t know why) it made me smile and that’s not easy the week before the exams.

darlene – lovely snap of a memorable day. A beautiful, natural and confident subject. I’m afraid as a competition entry it falls a little short. It does have the required elements and they are beautiful but the clipped chin and distracting background make this a ‘memory snap’.

Haworth – stunning, so simplistic with no distractions anywhere to detract form the ivory skin to the brown eye housing a perfectly formed and perfectly placed catchlight. The decision to place ½ of the nose in the shot was an inspired one as it adds to the perfection exhibited in the skin and eye of the subject. I love this shot and would be interested in your set up.

conexus - interesting lighting set up in this studio shot. I find the shadow on the chin and eye socket a little dark, but saying that the side lighting on the hair is beautiful. The catchlights are important here but appear uncomfortably uneven. I am not a fan of bare arms exiting the frame, but that’s a personal preference. The B&W working has given a lovely shot an elegant edge. I’m sure the brother and sister were very happy with their session.

thoughton – this made me smile right from the start, reminded me of the terracotta army but with heaps of humour. The repeating red throughout and the shallow depth of field make this a ‘comfortable’ image to view. The catchlight in the main subject is quite important as it breathes life into the inanimate object. The blurred catchlights in the other models are just as important pulling the repeating pattern together. Nice lighting, by the way. Thank you for the light relief after a week of concentrating on some wonderful images.

Hyram – another breathtaking bird of prey, they really do have the most fantastic eyes. The catchlight caught my attention straight away; it is amazing and adds so much to the shot as it is very detailed. It hints at the environment the shot was taken in whereas the background masks it. I can only imagine why the background was changed but I assume it was essential to bring out the beautiful detail in the bird. The lighting from the side falling directing onto the beak, face and eye is very dramatic and adds depth and detail to the shot.

malcolm leader - what a cheeky chap! Lovely capture of a ‘difficult’ subject where the lighting is a little flat. The background is slightly distracting but I know, from experience, you take what you can get. The catchlights are minimal BUT I know again, from experience, that this is a magic moment you will treasure forever. This is lovely, thank you for the ‘last minute entry’.

EDIT BY PENTAX USER TEAM
The following entry has been disqualified since it was taken with a Canon camera. Only pictures taken with Pentax cameras or Samsung DSLRs can be entered into the competitions.

davidoff - this late entry really threw the cats among the ‘owls’ – the camouflage is amazing even though the eyes are a dead give-away. Fabulous framing as the owl disappears (except for the eyes). The catchlights are small, symmetrical, and of great importance but they feel a bit triangular (and unnatural) to me.


1st place – gartmore
2nd place – john riley
3rd place – Hyram

Highly commended (I wanted so many to be placed) – snakey, ripstar and bforbes – all so marvellous and better than anything I could manage under any conditions!!


Thank you so much for all your entries, I have thoroughly enjoyed my week (although the decorating suffered). I can now see why 2nd place is such a delicious spot.

Well done gartmore - over to you.
(PS - dsylexic and, therefore, scarily bad at grammar and spelling)

Congratulations to Gartmore, John Riley and Hyram on their winning places. Thanks to beebee for the commendation and the very rapid judging. You have no need to apologize for anything your judging is very professional

Good swift judging on your first attempt Beverley. I thought Gartmore would win this when I first saw his entry. Well done all round.
david

Great detailed judging, and very quick too! Glad I could make you smile, I had a couple of owl pics I was considering but there were already quite a few birds I thought I'd surprise you

Congratulations to Gartmore John and Hyram for three great images. I also particularly liked bforbes' and Nathan's shots.

Well done dear judge!

Congrats to our winners.

It was a delightful subject and I enjoyed how it made me look at catchlights so closely...studying them, seeing them in a different light. Thanks Beverley

Good job,beebee. Thanks for the judging. Nice winner too. Congrats to Ken & the others. A 1-2-3 for veteran PUF-ers!

Well done Bee-Bee, good choice of winner and good comments. Well done to ken for the excellent winning shot!

Mike

Thank you very much! Congratulations on you fine and considered judging, I'll post next week's subject later this morning.

Well done Ken and all those that placed or got a mention - and to Beebee for the judging also, good work.

Great judging and congrats to the very deserving winner and those who were placed.

Glad you liked my shot Bee-Bee and I'm happy to share the set-up as requested - Pentax K10D with 35mm Macro and 2X teleconverter. It was lit with a single studio flash with a large softbox about 3 metres back 30 degrees to the right of camera and about 8 ft in the air!

There was a large reflector just out of shot to 90 degrees to the model's left to push a little light back onto that side.

That was it really, quite a simple setup lighting-wise but quite a bit of 'blemish removal' in photoshop afterwards!

Well done Ken, well done Beverley!

Some really nice images, very pleased with second place, and a good point to remind everyone that these should all be taken on Pentax cameras.....you know who you are!

Congratulations to gartmore - a worthy winner indeed.

Many thanks to beebee for the competition, the judging and my 3rd Place.

The Harris Hawk was photographed against the backdrop of a drab, off-white marquee at an agricultural show, where the birds 'rested' in between demonstration flights.

I decided to change this backdrop to a colour that matched the bird's plumage.

p.s. I did not attempt to capture the birds in flight as their speed is quite unbelievable

Absolutely belting winning shot! Well done Ken and to Beebee for judging.

Thanks a lot, entering these competitions makes me start to look at my photos with a far more critical eye, a long way to go yet.

Greg

Brilliant photo gartmore - quite stunning - well done and some great entries too.
Thanks for the positive comments and excellent judging beebee - so much to learn and so little time !

Tony

Congratulation Gartmore and others...I too enjoyed this competition Loved seeing the light caught in the subject eyes...Great judging Thanks