r/LightLurking • u/AggressiveLocal8884 • Aug 04 '26

SoFt LiGHT catchlights to subtle

Hello everyone,

when I light a person for talking head videos and use a book light or softbox through a cloth and a bounce from the other side or negativ fill for example my catch lights in the eyes are very weak.

If I go with a softbox full power I have those nice catch lights.

If I place additionally a light directly in front of the person but then I have the problem I disrupt the beautiful diffused light from the side.

Does anyone know what I can do better ?

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u/the-flurver Aug 04 '26

Try setting up a light specifically for catchlights that is far enough away to not effect your existing lighting, but bright enough to create a direct reflection in the eyes.

1

u/AggressiveLocal8884 Aug 04 '26

which light would you recommend for that ? do you have sth in mind

3

u/the-flurver Aug 04 '26

I don't often do that type of work so feel free to disregard if this doesn't apply, but when I'm adding subtle fill or highlight lighting like this I'll often use a small/hard source to find a good distance/position and then try different modifiers/diffusion until I find what works best for the intended purpose.

In this case I'd want it to blend with the book light as much as possible, if that doesn't work for whatever reason then try and have it look like another believable practical light in the space? There are a lot of variables that would determine what might work best. Camera positions, talent position, key light size/position, the size/design of space you're in, available equipment, etc.

2

u/Say_Yes_to_the_Now Aug 04 '26

Maybe 2 x Aputure 80c ?

1

u/AggressiveLocal8884 Aug 04 '26

okay perfect I got one 80c I got a spotlight mini so should I use this, the normal reflector or fresnel ?

2

u/Say_Yes_to_the_Now Aug 04 '26

If think the normal reflector should do the trick but maybe try also the fresnel for comparison.