Flash In The Eye Question

[kenwae]

I had an opportunity to take some outdoor, natural setting portrats of a mother and her daughter; this is her daughter...one of the better pictures. I took over 200 altogether. Many of them needed fill flash. So, one questions is....to remove the flash reflection in the eyes or not. The two pictures below are identical except for one has had the flash reflection removed. Does it make that much difference? Is this something that noticeable to clients? It would be a lot of work taking those out on every single picture...

I use a bracket with the flash off to the left of the camera. However, that then puts the flash reflection halfway out of their pupil to the right which makes it more difficult to correct in ps. If I went up high over the camera, then the reflection would be half out of the pupil going down. Centered would put the reflection right in the pupil, but the lighting would be flat. So, the question here is what's the best position for a flashgun when using it for fill flash in outdoor settings? And, how do you guys deal with this reflection issue? Thanks for the help... -Ken

[Songman45]

Leave it.... You have reflections on the 5 facial planes and an unnatural absence on the more reflective surface of the eye. Catchlight is a good thing for most of us.

[ohenry]

The catchlight in the eyes adds life to the eyes. Without it, the eyes don't seem to have the depth.

[mcbit]

Keep the catchlights much better with them.

[kenwae]

thank you so much for your input....

[Rockbottom]

I agree with the others. One other point, maybe blurr the background a bit more.

[gaopa2]

Another vote to leave the catchlights in the eyes. That is a beautiful photo and best with the catchlight, I think. Cheers, Bill P.

[JimH]

Originally Posted by kenwae

I use a bracket with the flash off to the left of the camera. If I went up high over the camera, then the reflection would be half out of the pupil going down. Centered would put the reflection right in the pupil, but the lighting would be flat. So, the question here is what's the best position for a flashgun when using it for fill flash in outdoor settings?

Ken - I think you have pretty much nailed it with the limitations of the equipment you are using. The bracket certainly opens the light up so that you don't get flat lighting as you mentioned. If you are using a IR, sync cable or PW, try hand holding (or have an assistant do it) the flash further left and above. Typically, most photographers around these parts try to place the main catchlight between the pupil and the white of the eyes (in the iris) at the 10-11 or 1-2 o'clock positions.

Just think you need to bring some of the shininess down on the face in post and you have some very nice captures.

[captlen]

What would an eye be without a "twinkle" in it. Leave it and learn to make it really work for you .

[Park]

"the sparkle in her eye"

[Maggie_B]

Oh gosh, leave the sparkle in her beautiful eyes! Cute capture!

Mag

[Athena]

I'll be the odd one out and say take it out, but add a better placed catchlight with a new layer in PS. Adjust the opacity to make it look real.

edit: on looking again I'd say also try to tone down the hot spots on her face a bit.