@Mark: While this type of photography (High Key) isn't something that I have an interest in, for this assignment I have been doing some research to see what direction to go. Your comments could be somewhat miss leading to those who have very little experience with it (which I am one). What I have read so far "High Key" isn't about over exposure, one of the tools that can be and is used to create "High Key" is over exposure. While it seems most common for the background to be the part overexposed, many examples I have seen the subject is overexposed as well albeit in a pleasing way.

Your comments:"Based on: "Excluding specular highlights, such as catchlights, there usually is detail in even the brightest areas."

Andy killed it!"

Andy's picture is very good for this subject, nice and clean. From my experience with as many bird shots as I have done I would guess that Andy's background is overexposed. There is very little detail in the background, good detail to the bird.