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08/23/2019 10:21:13 AM · #1 |
When I think about low key, it tends to first trigger images shot in the studio with very controlled lights, like Weston's peppers. Contrast between dark and light. Something like these.
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Natural light is more ephemeral, and finding a low key subject there is more about serendipity and awareness. I absolutely loved this image, as an example of that.  .
And I thought Bear's was phenomenal as well, for the dark moodiness of a well known subject shot in an unconventional way (positively Hitchcockian, as I commented during the challenge).
I appreciate the kind words on my entry for the challenge, which was made as I was about to leave the beach to head somewhere else, and had packed up my gear. But when I saw the sun starting to hit that fantastic S-curve on the lagoon and kiss the rock on the far shore, I unpacked my gear because I knew it would make a nice low key B+W subject for the challenge. fwiw, and perhaps to foster further discussion or debate, here is the original unedited shot.  . While it took a fair amount of PP to bring out what I visualized when I made the image, that beautiful light on the shore was what really made the shot for me, and has a lot in common with more controlled lighting that results in something like this 
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08/22/2019 10:49:01 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Anyone interested in exploring this topic? I found it difficult to vote on some images. Many of them weren't low key, in my opinion. However, there were some that just baffled me.
For instance:
Absolutely stunningly beautiful. But I didn't think it was low key. Then I did. Then... no... it isn't. But is it?
So I ended up that it would have been low key if had part of the dog disappearing into shadows.
Agree? Disagree? I honestly wonder if I'm more right or more wrong. (there is no absolute, but there is a majority thought) |
From my perspective, that lovely image is an excellent example of chiaroscuro, not so much low-key... The following image is nice, juicy chiaroscuro.
But when it comes to defining or quantifying "low key", it's one of those things like "bokeh": everyone has a good sense of what it IS, but people still have a hard time agreeing on what it is :-) Within the gamut of "commonly accepted" low key images are examples that cover most of the entries in this challenge, but to me most of them missed the point. But that's just my take. MY idea of evocative low-key didn't get a lot of traction, LOL...
This image was my top choice in voting:
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08/22/2019 09:22:50 PM · #3 |
deleted
Message edited by author 2019-08-22 21:23:22. |
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08/22/2019 06:14:31 PM · #4 |
| But it seems like low key is more than just a dark photo |
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08/22/2019 06:03:22 PM · #5 |
| If you can access the picture perhaps look at the histogram and see how far it is biased toward the left. |
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08/22/2019 05:35:10 PM · #6 |
Anyone interested in exploring this topic? I found it difficult to vote on some images. Many of them weren't low key, in my opinion. However, there were some that just baffled me.
For instance:
Absolutely stunningly beautiful. But I didn't think it was low key. Then I did. Then... no... it isn't. But is it?
So I ended up that it would have been low key if had part of the dog disappearing into shadows.
Agree? Disagree? I honestly wonder if I'm more right or more wrong. (there is no absolute, but there is a majority thought)
Message edited by author 2019-08-22 17:35:46. |
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08/20/2019 06:04:33 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by SandyP:
Originally posted by Lydia:
@Sandy, I love what Bill says! I'm going to start saying that! |
Awwww... I told Bill at lunch that you were going to adopt his wise saying, and that Anita loved it... AAAAAND that you knew him from Facebook. He got all proud and felt so "seen" :) You're the best! |
LOL! You two are way too cute. For real.
I love it!
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08/20/2019 04:58:23 PM · #8 |
| I made 27 comments and it was quite difficult to do -- because I'm not sure my definition of low key is really correct. But I based it off of 5-7 different sources, so it is what it is. |
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08/20/2019 04:50:54 PM · #9 |
| I've had 1 comment. "Good Shot" !!!! :) |
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08/20/2019 04:35:58 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Lydia:
@Sandy, I love what Bill says! I'm going to start saying that! |
Awwww... I told Bill at lunch that you were going to adopt his wise saying, and that Anita loved it... AAAAAND that you knew him from Facebook. He got all proud and felt so "seen" :) You're the best!
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08/20/2019 01:06:22 PM · #11 |
The comments are at last coming in:
Submissions: 56
Votes Cast: 2,655
Comments Made: 146
Nice to see 102 comments made in just few hours. Keep them coming! (I made 13 of these, I hope you don't mind)
Message edited by author 2019-08-20 13:07:34. |
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08/20/2019 12:23:24 PM · #12 |
| I just got a long, great comment that may have seemed negative, but instead, I found it so encouraging, even helpful in understanding low key better. It meant alot to me, and I think was spot on. The commenter was hidden during voting, so I don’t know who to thank yet, but what encouraged me was that my image wasn’t bad... it just wasn’t right for this challenge. Kudos, 5-stars and a 10 for commenters who are good at encouraging while constructively critiquing! |
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08/20/2019 11:28:20 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by marnet:
Not much time left but maybe a few comments would help understand the scores? I still have none. I will try to make a few before rollover.
PS Current stats for this challenge:
Submissions: 56
Votes Cast: 2,509
Comments Made: 44
Less than 1 per entry. |
Message me privately and I will gladly give a comment, my vote will remain the same. |
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08/20/2019 10:43:12 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Ouch -- starting to vote and comment, but I feel like I'm being quite harsh simply by putting down my thoughts on the challenge.
Since this has been an active thread, this is a challenge that may be really good to explore as a post challenge discussion.
(I've done 2 comments so far! :)
Stopping for a break:
You have rated 13 of 55 images (24%) in this challenge.
You have commented on 12 images (21%) in this challenge.
You have given an average score of 6.3077
I don't know how I'm at an average score of 6.3, since it seems like I'm only giving negative comments. |
Thanks, Wendy, got your comment. |
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08/20/2019 10:42:16 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
Originally posted by marnet:
Originally posted by Lydia:
I actually thought mine was really good... but I was corrected by the voters... *sigh*
Oh well... Maybe the next challenge will be Amphibians in Hats.
@Sandy, I love what Bill says! I'm going to start saying that! |
Who is Bill? |
He's Sandy's husband... I think... I hope :-) |
OK, I had to re-read this, found it - "You either win or learn! NO REGRETS either way!”, so Sandy's husband's name is Bill! ;)
PS I wish I agreed with him (in DPC context, as I will never learn what voters think!) but this is great for kids :)
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08/20/2019 10:25:22 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by marnet:
Originally posted by Lydia:
I actually thought mine was really good... but I was corrected by the voters... *sigh*
Oh well... Maybe the next challenge will be Amphibians in Hats.
@Sandy, I love what Bill says! I'm going to start saying that! |
Who is Bill? |
He's Sandy's husband... I think... I hope :-) |
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08/20/2019 09:49:29 AM · #17 |
Ouch -- starting to vote and comment, but I feel like I'm being quite harsh simply by putting down my thoughts on the challenge.
Since this has been an active thread, this is a challenge that may be really good to explore as a post challenge discussion.
(I've done 2 comments so far! :)
Stopping for a break:
You have rated 13 of 55 images (24%) in this challenge.
You have commented on 12 images (21%) in this challenge.
You have given an average score of 6.3077
I don't know how I'm at an average score of 6.3, since it seems like I'm only giving negative comments.
Message edited by author 2019-08-20 10:12:27. |
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08/20/2019 09:33:10 AM · #18 |
Not much time left but maybe a few comments would help understand the scores? I still have none. I will try to make a few before rollover.
PS Current stats for this challenge:
Submissions: 56
Votes Cast: 2,509
Comments Made: 44
Less than 1 per entry.
Message edited by author 2019-08-20 09:35:29. |
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08/20/2019 01:46:23 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by Lydia:
I actually thought mine was really good... but I was corrected by the voters... *sigh*
Oh well... Maybe the next challenge will be Amphibians in Hats.
@Sandy, I love what Bill says! I'm going to start saying that! |
Who is Bill? |
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08/19/2019 08:25:14 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by SandyP:
Well, I’m glad it’s not just me getting a low score. I think mine is very deserved tho. Low key is hard for me. My brand is bright and soft in living color. But I truly LOVE a well done low key image, and there are several in this challenge that take my breath away! I’d like to learn and get better at this mysterious art form. So I shall use this as a “You-Pretty-Much-Suck Starting Point” and see if I can get better. My hubby always tells my kids: “You either win or learn! NO REGRETS either way!” |
Oh  SandyP your husband’s quote is amazing, and so true. The only way to get better is definitely to learn! We’ve all had to do this along the way, it definitely builds character!
As for the photos in this challenge, it’s a tricky challenge to get right. But there are some really outstanding images that do deserve a good vote. Anyway mine is not one of them.... but that’s okay. |
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08/19/2019 06:04:38 PM · #21 |
I actually thought mine was really good... but I was corrected by the voters... *sigh*
Oh well... Maybe the next challenge will be Amphibians in Hats.
@Sandy, I love what Bill says! I'm going to start saying that!
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08/19/2019 04:07:00 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by GolferDDS:
Originally posted by SandyP:
Well, I’m glad it’s not just me getting a low score. I think mine is very deserved tho. Low key is hard for me. My brand is bright and soft in living color. But I truly LOVE a well done low key image, and there are several in this challenge that take my breath away! I’d like to learn and get better at this mysterious art form. So I shall use this as a “You-Pretty-Much-Suck Starting Point” and see if I can get better. My hubby always tells my kids: “You either win or learn! NO REGRETS either way!” |
I’m with you Sandy. I thought my image was pretty good, but it is doing poorly. I think I need to understand low key better. None the less there are some outstanding entries in this challenge. |
You are both very kind :) I just think that the voters took Low Key too literally. My current score:
Votes: 43
Views: 102
Avg Vote: 4.7209
Comments: 0
Or maybe it is an organized group of low voters? |
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08/19/2019 12:56:49 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by SandyP:
Well, I’m glad it’s not just me getting a low score. I think mine is very deserved tho. Low key is hard for me. My brand is bright and soft in living color. But I truly LOVE a well done low key image, and there are several in this challenge that take my breath away! I’d like to learn and get better at this mysterious art form. So I shall use this as a “You-Pretty-Much-Suck Starting Point” and see if I can get better. My hubby always tells my kids: “You either win or learn! NO REGRETS either way!” |
I’m with you Sandy. I thought my image was pretty good, but it is doing poorly. I think I need to understand low key better. None the less there are some outstanding entries in this challenge. |
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08/19/2019 12:04:01 PM · #24 |
Well, I’m glad it’s not just me getting a low score. I think mine is very deserved tho. Low key is hard for me. My brand is bright and soft in living color. But I truly LOVE a well done low key image, and there are several in this challenge that take my breath away! I’d like to learn and get better at this mysterious art form. So I shall use this as a “You-Pretty-Much-Suck Starting Point” and see if I can get better. My hubby always tells my kids: “You either win or learn! NO REGRETS either way!”
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08/18/2019 09:47:27 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by Bear_Music:
It's gonna be a low-scoring challenge for sure: Low-key just doesn't lend itself to "pretty" and our voters DO love their pretty... |
Yeah -- that's why I may not do the self portrait challenge due tonight -- it ain't gonna be pretty! |
I do think that there are entries in this challenge that DO NOT meet the Traditional
shape or description of a low key image, and therefore are voted down ... |
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