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Project 52 Week 4: Catchlights

January 26, 2018 By Darlene Woodward 44 Comments

“He speaketh not; and yet there lies a conversation in his eyes”.  These wonderful words were those of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.  These words represent how i feel when I meet each every shelter dog that I photograph that is looking for a forever home.  They all have a story to tell in their soulful eyes.  It’s my job to capture this.

This week’s 52 Week Pet Photography Blog Circle topic is “catchlights”.  Catchlights are simply the reflection of the light source that show up in the eyes. They add “life” to the eyes so they don’t appear dull. When photographing outdoors with natural light, early morning and late in the day are perfect times to get the catchlights hitting off center in the eyes.  Slightly overcast days work great as the sky creates a giant diffuser!

This past week I photographed some adoptable dogs at the MSPCA in Methuen, MA.  As I was driving over to the shelter at noon – smack in the middle of the day – the sun was shining bright and i was thinking that this was not going to work so well!  But when I pulled into the lot, the clouds came – perfect timing!  And they know me well when one of the volunteers said, “Darlene is going to be so happy these clouds rolled in!”  Now we had a gigantic soft box!

First meet adoptable brindle pit bull mix, Sydney.  I love the brindles!  This handsome guy is 8 years old. Shooting with the wide open sky I was able to get fuller catchlights that make his eyes sparkle.

 

 

Next up available for adopt is “Shadow”.   Yes, you probably would have guessed by the name that this dog will be ALL black!  And this guy even has DARK eyes – definitely a challenge!  I was able to get the eyes to shimmer – making sure I got low on the ground and his head was not tilted down.  I love the added snow on the nose!

 

MSPCA Adoptable Dogs

 

Next I’m going to share this handsome guy, Roscoe, since he’s been at the shelter for quite some time.  He and a shelter staff member are taking a Basic Manners dog training class with me on Wednesday evenings.  He has completed 2 weeks – woohoo!  I love when I have shelter dogs in class learning!  It’s a wonderful opportunity when we have volunteers that will take the time and do class with these amazing dogs to better their manners which in turn, helps them become more adoptable!

I wanted to give an example of catchlights with artificial lighting and this next image wast taken right before the holidays.  I prefer natural light photography, especially for the outdoors, but studio can be fun and I love dabbling!  I have an AlienBee B800 with a medium rectangular soft box.  Softboxes come in all shapes and sizes from round, square, octagon – I would say it’s a personal preference and I love the “rectangular” catchlights.  When setting up just one strobe light (which I use)  it’s best to place it in front of you at a 45 degree angle, above and close the dog.  I tend to set up the strobe camera left.  The catchlights should be “off center” of the eyes.

This busy boy was a challenge to photograph!  Notice where the catchlights are and that they are “rectangular”.  This was a quick capture from using a “coyote caller” noisemaker where I was able to get a look in my direction.   It’s not always easy,  but I was thrilled we got this 1!

 

Adoptable Lab Mix

 

Thank you for stopping by our blog circle this week!  Please consider adoption when looking to bring a pet into your home.  There are so many amazing animals looking for love out there!

Next up in our blog circle is Blue Amrich of Beyond the Fence.   She has an adorable new puppy and I wonder if she just might be including photos of this cutie!  Have a great weekend!

 

Filed Under: blog Tagged With: Catchlights, MA pet photographer, NH Pet Photographer, Pant the Town Pet Photography, Pet Photography Blog Circle

Comments

  1. Kim Hollis says

    January 26, 2018 at 5:39 am

    I love that quote. I think I prefer rectangular catchlights too…. I only have round softboxes. Hmmmm I might have to put one on my wish list.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:24 pm

      Thanks, Kim! Yes, I love the rectangles! Just a personal preference but they are my favorite!!!

      Reply
  2. Tim Evans says

    January 26, 2018 at 7:20 am

    Great job with the photo of Shadow, getting him properly exposed along with the snow.

    I have a soft spot for black dogs, so I hope this gives him some attention he needs to find his forever home.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:24 pm

      Thanks, Tim! The black dogs with the dark eyes are always a challenge! Appreciate it!

      Reply
  3. Linda Metcalf says

    January 26, 2018 at 7:41 am

    What lucky pups to have your talent to help them on their journey! Sydney the brindle is stunning !

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:23 pm

      Thank you so much, Linda! Sydney is wonderful!

      Reply
  4. Tracy Allard says

    January 26, 2018 at 8:02 am

    Gorgeous images, and I need to know where you got your coyote caller! I’ve seen it on an app (but alas, i have no more free hands to operate it!), but if I have a 3rd person, that one’s always a winner! I’ve been looking for it in a “mouth” version.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:22 pm

      Thanks, Tracy! It’s actually called “predator in distress” …. eek! Here is the link on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005KW3DI4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It’s the best of all my noise makers – haha!

      Reply
  5. Kelly says

    January 26, 2018 at 10:27 am

    Love that quote! Such wonderful examples as always.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:19 pm

      Thanks, Kelly! A favorite quote of mine!

      Reply
  6. Kelly says

    January 26, 2018 at 10:56 am

    Love these!!! Thank you for working with shelter dogs!

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:19 pm

      Thank you, Kelly!

      Reply
  7. Shelly Ellis says

    January 26, 2018 at 11:22 am

    What wonderful work you do.. these images! They truly do spark a conversation.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:18 pm

      Thank you very much, Shelly!

      Reply
  8. Rochelle says

    January 26, 2018 at 11:32 am

    Yet again more fantastic work. And that quite is just perfect!

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:18 pm

      Aw thank you so much, Rochelle! Appreciate it! A favorite quote of mine!

      Reply
  9. Kirsten says

    January 26, 2018 at 1:22 pm

    Beautiful photos! And love that you work with HeARTSspeak as well!!

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:18 pm

      Thanks, Kirsten! Love being a part of HeARTSspeak!

      Reply
  10. Ursula Garrison says

    January 26, 2018 at 2:56 pm

    Lovely Photos. Another Fellow HeARTSspeak member yeah!!!!

    Reply
  11. Danyel says

    January 26, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Great examples and wonderful photos. I hope they all find their forever home.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:17 pm

      Thanks, Danyel!

      Reply
  12. Lynda says

    January 26, 2018 at 3:13 pm

    I love that quote! And you’re images are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing about your artificial light set up. I have yet to dabble……and am always keen to hear what others use. Thanks.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:17 pm

      Isn’t it a great quote? One of my favorites! Thank you so much, Lynda!

      Reply
  13. Mimosa says

    January 26, 2018 at 3:47 pm

    Love the quotes you use. All the images are excellent Great that you do so much for the rescue dogs.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:16 pm

      Thank you! I appreciate it!

      Reply
  14. Ursula says

    January 26, 2018 at 5:40 pm

    Hello fello HeARTSspeak member. Beautiful job.

    Reply
    • Ursula says

      January 26, 2018 at 5:41 pm

      That should read fellow. Oops.

      Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 6:16 pm

      Thank you so much, Ursula! HeARTSspeak is such a wonderful organization!

      Reply
  15. sandra mccarthy says

    January 26, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    The chocolate lab is beautiful. Nice work with the rescue dogs!

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks, Sandra! He’s been at the shelter for the longest, but he’s a great dog! Hoping he goes home soon!

      Reply
  16. John says

    January 26, 2018 at 7:51 pm

    Beautiful examples! Great that you’re using shelter dogs too!

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 26, 2018 at 9:20 pm

      Thanks, John! Love putting these adoptable pups in the spotlight – they deserve it!

      Reply
  17. Jessica says

    January 26, 2018 at 11:02 pm

    I love photographing at shelter too! It’s so vital for us to really captivate and draw in potential adopters with those beautiful, bright eyes. These images are lovely; it looks like you captured their unique personalities.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 27, 2018 at 8:00 am

      Thank you, Jessica! I love it, too! Every little bit helps these wonderful animals find their homes!

      Reply
  18. Pete says

    January 27, 2018 at 12:32 pm

    Agree with all of the above! Great images and more need to step up and adopt! Nice work with these guys getting them long loved homes

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 28, 2018 at 8:30 pm

      Thank you so much, Pete! Hope they all find homes!

      Reply
  19. Sam Adele says

    January 28, 2018 at 2:19 pm

    What a great expression on Roscoes face! I hope they all find a home!

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      January 28, 2018 at 8:30 pm

      Thanks, Sam! Hoping Roscoe finds a home very soon!

      Reply
  20. Linda Perdue says

    January 31, 2018 at 11:11 am

    Lovely photographs – I like the blend of natural light and studio – question – for Shadow, you mentioned you ‘added the snow’ – do you mean in post processing? If so, curious about how – I have no snow to start with here in Florida…..Interesting that the shelter has Roscoe and he has been waiting for his home for some time as the rescue I work with has two male dogs, both large, similar to Roscoe and they are in the same situation – definitely ours appear to be a “man’s dog” but seems there should be some guy looking for a dog out there!

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      February 1, 2018 at 9:31 pm

      Thanks, Linda! For Shadow the snow was already there … i must have meant that we were fortunate to have “added” snow that day on the ground that we threw around! 🙂 Roscoe is still there. Hopefully they will all find homes soon!

      Reply
  21. Susannah says

    February 3, 2018 at 12:15 pm

    I love ve your examples and that you’re highlighting rescue dogs.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      February 4, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      Thank you so much, Susannah!

      Reply
  22. Nancy Kieffer says

    February 6, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    I love brindles too. But they are all beautiful. Hope they find their forever homes soon.

    Reply
    • Darlene Woodward says

      February 7, 2018 at 6:23 pm

      Thank you so much, Nancy!

      Reply

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