This year’s trend for dramatic lighting offers a simple but really effective way to capture the character of your cats. This trend not only highlights their unique personality but nudges you to explore into the functions of your camera.
Whether your cat is a cute tabby, an ear tipped rescue, or a stunning Maine Coon, dramatic lighting can transform a simple photograph into a masterpiece. Let me introduce some easy ideas to expand your skills beyond ‘point and shoot’ and give you a new view on your cats.
Table of contents
Split Lighting
This kind of lighting is also called a ‘rim light portrait’ and is easy to get a handle on once you get the idea. The aim is to create a strong contrast between the lit and dark sides of a face. This might seem a bit tricky at first, but it’s actually quite simple once you get the hang of it.
Cats have expressive faces with strong features so split lighting can divide your cat’s face and look quite dramatic. As a bonus, it helps emphasise fur texture (fluffy or short), eye shape, and the shape or curve of one of your cat’s best features, its whiskers.
Why is Split Lighting so effective?
A single stronger light source casts a shadow down the middle of the face and whiskers. Split lighting works well for outdoor and artificial light so indoor cat lovers (and owners of shy cats) can use the light from a window to try this technique.
The photograph of Toulouse (below) shows you my own attempt at this technique.
TIP – Whatever light you use, always remember that your cat’s wellbeing and comfort are more important than a capture. Sudden changes in light can upset your cat, and we all know that a happy cat creates a happy portrait!
- If you have a flash, and know how to use it correctly, you can bounce the flash to set your cat’s face half in shadow. I have only just purchased my basic flash gun (aka speedlight) and do not know the proper set up or use. Do not use a flash unless you are confident you know what you are doing. Martin Bailey on Speedlights
Catchlights
Want to really bring your pet photos to life? Don’t forget the catchlight!
A catchlight is the sparkle you see in your cat’s eyes in a photo. It adds depth and dimension, making them appear so much more alive and expressive. This works with humans too.
Where this creative project works –
- Inside or outside
- In a garden or catio
- Indoors near a window
The aim is to show the catchlight in the eyes, or single eye in profile. Make sure the light comes from over your shoulder (just bright not strong sunlight).
If you are not sure the catchlight is clear enough, you can use a reflector (or a sheet of white card) to enhance the catchlight in your cat’s eye. A reflector, is not essential, but it might give you the extra help you need.
No Catchlight = No Life
If you think I am putting a lot of importance on something that is so simple; look at this closeup of Tigger (former cafe cat). I have deliberately removed the catchlight from his eye in the top photo. Scroll between the two and see the difference.
“Don’t overlook the importance of catchlights, …. they play an important role in creating dimension and depth, and in adding life to a portrait by drawing attention to the eyes.”
Joe Edelman, Peta Pixel
Silhouettes
The dramatic backlighting created by a silhouette lets you make a vivid outline of a cat shape. You can use either a strong light on a bright day, or a lamp inside. My two samples are both inside shots, one a quick capture at the cat cafe and the second by Carlo Vystek.
If your cat is one of those mischief makers who loves to hide behind a curtain or blind, you have a perfect silhouette opportunity. Grab the shot! Remember you can crop an image later if your cat isn’t correctly placed in the frame.
Now you have some ideas, go out and capture some drama using natural light or a lamp. It’s fun and not as hard as you might think!
I love this post and am going to study it more, love the photos and your tips have helped me in some photos so am going to have to carry on remembering what you say
I love silhouette photos but mine rarely turn out. I’m excited to use your tips 🙂
Wow, these are so cool! It’s amazing that lighting can have so many nuances!
Oh, that photo of Toulouse is simply just gorgeous! <3. I love your tips, and yes, removing the catchlight makes the photo much more intense and dramatic! Silhouettes are a fave of mine, and I loved to experiment with those with my Huskies!
All great photography tips as usual for both us seasoned veterans and newbies alike. Always something fun to see and learn! Pinning to my Shutterbug board to share!
I painted some animals once (decorative painting) and the last thing we did was add the touch of white paint was the catchlight. The difference stunned us all in the class.
Great lighting tips for capturing a wonderful photo of your fur kid. I’m going to have to try each of these. Another pawsome tutorial, Marjorie! Thank you!
Lighting can make a big difference in how a picture looks!
What cool suggestions. I don’t know if I will ever get to try them sadly as I never do anything complicated.
You have so many good tips, then I go to take a photo and have to rush and move on to the next thing, which is usually work. Maybe someday I can slow down and try all these unique ideas.
Lovely photos, all! I’m especially fond of silhouette pictures.
Super dramatic! I especially love the example of Toulouse with the catchlight!
Those are wonderful photos but that first one is so precious with that smile! Thanks for joining Angel Brian’s Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
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