probably been asked a thousand times but...

10/04/2005 10:28:55 PM · #1

can someone define high key to me in layman's terms? How its achieved and what it is.. any examples you have before and after would be appreciated :)

Thanks in advance

10/04/2005 10:31:18 PM · #2

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.

from photo-dictionary...... my shot of Lexi is a fair example

There are tons better, lemme search

Message edited by author 2005-10-04 22:32:01.

10/04/2005 10:33:26 PM · #3

Look here...

Light on White challenge

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

10/04/2005 10:46:37 PM · #4

Thanks Idnic..:)

I still dont totally grasp how its achieved though. Tried to find your shot of Lexi?? Cant see it ;)

I really like these two by riotspyne here on the site

Would these be considered high key??

shadow

Sony DSC-W1

10/04/2005 10:49:19 PM · #5

"High Key" is when most pixels (OMG I'm a geek!) or most areas in the photo is bright. "Low Key" would be when most of the photo areas are dark. I only came about to understand this better after getting some advise on how to use the "histogram" from some of the pros here:

Histogram thread (DPChallenge)

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

10/04/2005 10:52:13 PM · #6

High Key?

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

10/04/2005 10:53:41 PM · #7

LOL Brad wins! Shecoya, of the two you show, the 2nd is close, but think brighter, whiter.

RayEthier

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/04/2005 10:54:54 PM · #8

Originally posted by BradP:

High Key?

Heheheheehehe..... Not to be confused with New Key.

lynnesite

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II

10/04/2005 11:00:03 PM · #9

another example

10/04/2005 11:05:59 PM · #10

Ultimate High-Key

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

10/04/2005 11:15:52 PM · #11

Originally posted by faidoi:

Ultimate High-Key

That's an amazing photo, but according to "high key" definition should have some touch of black in it. So its an amazing white on white, but technically not high key? Not sure about the answer to that one. To me most any bright white, little contrast, artistic image qualifies as high key.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

10/04/2005 11:25:49 PM · #12

Originally posted by BradP:

High Key?

Yeah, Brad, you and I were way off base...

10/04/2005 11:27:56 PM · #13

Originally posted by idnic:

Originally posted by faidoi:
Ultimate High-Key

That's an amazing photo, but according to "high key" definition should have some touch of black in it. So its an amazing white on white, but technically not high key? Not sure about the answer to that one. To me most any bright white, little contrast, artistic image qualifies as high key.

I guess I need to calibrate my monitor :P

10/05/2005 12:02:59 AM · #14

Laughing.. those are great!! y'all are nutbars.. no wonder i love this place ;)

K getting my head around it now.. but how do you achieve this.. is it just lighting and post processing? OOPS.. edit.. i'll check out the link from Shadow :)

Message edited by author 2005-10-05 00:04:14.

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/05/2005 12:08:46 AM · #15

Originally posted by Shecoya:

Lighting, YES. Set-up, DEFINITELY. Post-processing, not necessarily. If its shot correctly, very little, or no post-processing is necessary. I've even seen wonderful outdoor high key shots, I think exposure is key and set-up. Have your model wear very light colors (if its a portrait), use a very light background (a foggy sky, or pale bg).

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

10/05/2005 12:29:48 AM · #16

A good example of a subject most wouldn't think of doing high-key here.

If a preponderance of the tones in the image are above zone 5, with most of those in 6 and above, you've basically got high-key. You see it in misty landscapes frequently. Sometimes high key, backlit shots will have a darker subject than the normal high key shot.

It's a pretty flexible term, really. Open to endless (and mostly pointless) debate.

Robt.

Rikki

Canon EOS-20D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/05/2005 02:47:11 AM · #17

10/05/2005 04:50:10 AM · #18

okay so would this be high key? LOL.. i'm thinking its just washed out and over processed.. To be high key.. i'd need to maintain the details in the picture right?

I like your example alot Bear... and Rikki.. thats beautiful

Message edited by author 2005-10-05 04:51:02.

10/05/2005 04:57:57 AM · #19

Might be considered high key if the background was a lighter color.