Tutorial on creating High Key Portraits?

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/16/2011 02:09:31 PM · #1

Wanting to try my hand at processing a high key portrait. I use photoshop. Does anyone know of a tutorial that gives you tips on processing a color photo as a high key photo?
Thank you,
Becky

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/16/2011 02:53:36 PM · #2

I'm sure it helps if you start with a high-key exposure, but otherwise I'd just use one or more extreme Curves (either RGB or Grayscale) to set the tonal values where you want them. You may need to use masks to get rid or unwanted detail with the same tones as the subject.

If you want to post a small example of the type of picture you want to process I'll try to make a quick adjustment to show what I mean ...

This is kind of old, but I find it helpful.

08/16/2011 03:09:45 PM · #3

Thanks GeneralE. I will try to post something tonight.

Marc923

08/16/2011 04:46:36 PM · #4

08/17/2011 10:15:57 PM · #5

GeneralE here is an unedited version of one of my portrait shots that you can play with.

Thank you.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/17/2011 10:16:33 PM · #6

Originally posted by Marc923:

This is kind of old, but I find it helpful.

Thank you

Marc923 I will check it out.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/18/2011 03:18:50 AM · #7

Originally posted by BeckyT:

GeneralE here is an unedited version of one of my portrait shots that you can play with.

Thank you.

You caught me at a bad time -- I was literally able to take five minutes with this (I have to get up in four hours) ... :-(

Firstly, this is definitely not my specialty -- I'm trying this so I cn learn something too ...

I did an extremely simple edit -- I add two adjustment layers:
-Channel Mixer: Monochrome mode, no other changes from default. You can also make an actual grayscale image by any of several methods (there is a DPC Tutoral on that) first.

-Curves: Adjustment to the RGB Channel. You could refine the look by using more than one Curves adjustment layers, with or without masks, and applying to a single color channel to adjust certain areas/feature ... I did none of that here (see screen-shot)

BeckyT's Original:

My High-Key(?) version:

Screen-shot of Curves Adjustment Layer:

Also, remember that this may be a way to "rescue" or "convert" an image, but is probably a less-than-ideal substitute for shooting with proper lighting and exposure in the first place.

Message edited by author 2011-08-18 04:08:43.