Mark Elberson:Do you think this acurately represents high key?
I'd say that picture from Wikipedia exemplifies high-key portraiture. That's what I think of when the term is used.
When I said knock down the contrast, I didn't mean in post. The problem is when you knock down the contrast in post, you basically kill all your highlights. The problem with high-key portraiture is that you need about 4 lights to do it right--two on the background and two on the subject (at least when photographing an adult). In my personal opinion, Chuck, simply having a white background isn't enough--and I wouldn't consider the photo you posted to be high key. That said, I could be wrong too... ;-)
Sean Setters: When I said knock down the contrast, I didn't mean in post.
When I said knock down the contrast, I didn't mean in post.
I know :-) I was just trying to get the best out of what I already had. I am very much looking forward to attempting this again. I'm not even sure if I really like high key (I did like that baby portrait) but I was intrigued and wanted to give it a try. I have 4 lights so I'll try your setup. I'll also try the Keith B suggested. I think that required 3 or 4 lights as well (maybe more!). Once I give this a 2nd whirl I'll share those too.
Great....looking forward to seeing it!
Here's what I was thinking: Obviously, I have some misconceptions about what high-key is.
I'm looking at Lighting Essential Techniques from Preston Publications and did a search for "high-key" there is an example sited of a bride on a white background. It say's "This is classic high-key lighting: pure white background, white clothes, brightly lit, with no flare or loss of detail." Sorta sounds like the second example I posted.
They define high-key as: "A traditional high-key photo is one with most of the tones above middle gray, with a white or very light background. The feeling is upbeat, happy, and full of energy."
I personally considered "high-key" as brighter background than subject outline which isolates and draws attention to the subject. I consider "low-key" as dark(er) background with subject isolated by highlights. I consider "mid key" as portraiture that uses background elements that compliment the subject. Usually, background and subject share the same tonal ranges. I do not know if this would describe a subject photographed against a bright color or brightly colored object.
Now, there is a technique used quite frequently now, that blows out everything so that the subject blends into the white background just like the picture of the infant from wikipedia. I guess you could say it's high-key but it's not what I would consider the classic definition.
Then again, I could be wrong.
hehe...and from now on all Chuck's and my posts all have to end with, "Then again, I could be wrong" from now on!
Ok, I thought I'd have a go at it. My version:
I think the best way to achieve the high-key look is to do some dodging on the areas where you see shadows. " High-key lighting is a style of lighting for film, television, or photography that aims to reduce the lighting ratio present in the scene." Chuck's right in that high-key photography isn't limited to black & white photos where the highlights are so blown out that they mesh with the background. However, that is a popular form of high-key photography--so popular, in fact, that the term is now epitomized by those particular traits.
Hey Mark here is an example of what I think of when I hear "high key" with a b/w image, or maybe its just a black and white image with someone whos skin tone is just a hair over printer paper. :) Hope it gives you some insperation, Im no expert just another photographer who loves taking pictures. And we all look at things in a different light.....lame i know.....but its true look at others images and learn from them but in the end if you like it then so be it.
Thanks
Joel
BTW my recently acquired 85 1.2 II is sharp as a tack, even at 1.2 as seen above.....although at this distance the end of a tack is about all that would be in focus. :)
I think you guys are fantastic...I am learning quite a bit.
Here is what I understand "high key" is, this is from my sister-in-law gallery.
http://www.fanfoto.pl/portretkarolinahighkeymellisana.html#foto
Joel and BES,
Those are both great examples.
Great thread Mark... thanks for starting it!
May...be...a start for another thread: Show us your High Key Portraits!!
Joel Bookhammer: BTW my recently acquired 85 1.2 II is sharp as a tack, even at 1.2 as seen above.....although at this distance the end of a tack is about all that would be in focus. :)
Great shot Joel. I really like the DOF in this one where one eye is in focus and the other isn't. You are a very lucky man to own such a magnificent lens! Way to put it to good use :-)
Chuck Lee: Great thread Mark... thanks for starting it!
Thanks! Hopefully we get a lot more contributions so that we can see everyone's different interpretation.