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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> High Key or Overexposed?
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 08/20/2005 02:33:18 PM · #1
Can someone explain the differences between the two and how a High Key photo is created or what defines it as High Key?

Photo examples would be appreciated.
 08/20/2005 02:42:09 PM · #2
08/20/2005 03:05:49 PM · #3
rikkis photo is high key
the detail remains even though the majourity of the image is white. The features have not been lost to the image. There are no flare ups where all the detail is lost.
In an over exposed image the thin mast of the ship would have been lost in the glare of the sky.


my ugly apple picture (where was my head at?) is overexposed in the bottom left corner. The frame of the window should be dblack, but it has been flared out by the light coming into the window compared to the dusty light inside.

Hope this helps.
 08/20/2005 03:08:29 PM · #4
How do you achieve High Key then ?

Is that done with filters or in the photography itself?
 08/20/2005 03:12:39 PM · #5
when i did mine, it was metered at a high light area meaning i metered where light was available the most but with a low f-stop... makes sense? i then used the channels to recreate it in BW... none of the details were lost as in the mast like mesmeraj mentioned... this was my first pass at high key shots... i didn't even know what it was called until someone mentioned it :) pure luck i guess... :0
 08/20/2005 03:15:22 PM · #6
What's this one? ;^) Don't worry, what ever you say won't dent my thick skin.


08/20/2005 03:16:47 PM · #7
not sure if this qulifies as high key... the details of the petals are blown a bit... IMHO... then again, i'm not really the one who should make these comments because i'm still new at this style of shooting...
 08/20/2005 03:22:42 PM · #8
would this be a high-key picture?
08/20/2005 03:24:52 PM · #9
How about this photo, taken two weeks ago in Weymouth, Dorset, UK.



Steve
 08/20/2005 03:27:02 PM · #10
Me too. This was my first intentional attempt. I worked in shutter priority mode (after getting a reading) - shutter 1/60 when it called for something like 1/400 - then I manually compensated the exposure down .7 to get the detail I wanted in the flower head.

For sure something I want to try some more of and learn to do well. Very cool to see someone get it "right".

Originally posted by rikki11:
...i'm still new at this style of shooting...

08/20/2005 03:29:05 PM · #11
My first reaction is no...looks more like a b/w image. But what do I know? ;^)

Originally posted by lucas:
would this be a high-key picture?

08/20/2005 03:30:01 PM · #12
I'd say sure looks like one to me. But hey, what do I know? He-he. ;^)

Originally posted by Formerlee:
How about this photo, taken two weeks ago in Weymouth, Dorset, UK.



Steve

08/20/2005 03:34:32 PM · #13
Originally posted by Formerlee:
How about this photo, taken two weeks ago in Weymouth, Dorset, UK.



Steve


took the liberty in PS7



post processing:
- auto contrast
- select foreground
- duplicate layer
- adjusted contrast in background
- diffused layer blend
- save for web
 08/20/2005 03:47:12 PM · #14
Thanks rikki11, that certainly hardened up the photo. Will have to try your steps and see what I can come up with on others I took the same day.

Thanks again,

Steve
 08/20/2005 03:58:09 PM · #15
What about this version?



Or is this better?



Steve

Message edited by author 2005-08-20 16:02:12.
 08/20/2005 04:11:46 PM · #16
the recomposed image seems too dark now with some of the details of the tanker lost as well as the mountains in the horizon... it's a play of using the contrast, levels, dodge, and burning... at least that's my take on it :)
 08/20/2005 04:46:28 PM · #17
high key doesnt have to be even close to overexposed, it just means theres a mid to low contrast across the subject. if you light something with 1 light and no diffusion, that would be low key. if you stuck 3 lights up and diffused them, that is definitely higher key than before. you can say something is high key when you can't tell where the light source is coming from because the lighting is so even.
 08/20/2005 04:53:59 PM · #18
The high key effect in this image was done post shot in PS:



Definition:
High key subjects concentrate on the lighter tones, using subject matter that is white or pale tones, and using flat overall lighting to avoid shadows.

High key is often used to portray a delicate or feminine intention. Most high key pictures contain small areas of dark tones - for example in the iris of the eyes in a portrait; without a small dark or black area high key effects can appear too washed out or insipid.

About

08/20/2005 05:20:32 PM · #19
First of all, what is "High Key?" I've heard that term used before and still don't know what it means. Thanks!! Sorry, for the thread interruption (sp?)
 08/20/2005 05:32:02 PM · #20
High Key...


Overexposed...


Her dress is way too white, can't see details.
 08/20/2005 05:32:44 PM · #21
Technically high key is any photo where the bulk of the histogram falls on the right side of the graph. Low key would be the opposite, falling on the dark side. In high key photos you'll generally have subjects and backrounds that are lighter than neutral grey, and you shoot them with the exposure still at neutral grey. It won't necessarily overexpose everything, but it will shift the histogram to the right. You can check the histogram in camera, or in photoshop via Levels.
 08/20/2005 05:40:37 PM · #22
Thanks so much kyebosh. I really appreciate your explenation!
 08/20/2005 05:43:14 PM · #23
Originally posted by SCI 009:
Thanks so much kyebosh. I really appreciate your explenation!

I'm glad it was understandable! :-D
 08/20/2005 05:44:26 PM · #24
I know I have another discussion running for this photo, but I'd just like to know if this is considered high key:



I always think of more extreme differences between dark and light.
 08/20/2005 05:46:58 PM · #25
.

Message edited by author 2005-08-20 17:48:09.
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