A first pass at "High Key Photos"

Panasonic Lumix G 14mm F2.5 ASPH

08/07/2005 01:03:50 AM · #1

I'm trying this method out right now. Here's my first image. I've seen incredible photos that uses this method. Care to share some critiques and tips on how to effectively create this and what kind of subjects are best for this style of photography? Thanks.

I'm always looking for new methods and ideas. Any input would be great! Thanks in advance :)

db_design

Nikon Coolpix 8700

08/07/2005 01:00:33 PM · #2

i like it... :)

Olyuzi

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX7

08/07/2005 01:59:46 PM · #3

Here's a high-key photo very much like your own that I had taken for the affluence challenge, but wound up not submitting.

emorgan49

Olympus E-5

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

08/07/2005 02:17:44 PM · #4

Jean

Mariomel

Archiral

Sjonni

Your boat is great - a few from my favorites shows that water scenes are good subjects.

RonBeam

Minolta DiMAGE 7

08/07/2005 02:51:50 PM · #5

Great effect for faces as well.

janbruder

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

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

08/07/2005 03:14:17 PM · #6

how do you go about creating a high key image? Is it as simple as using levels and curves, or is there more to it?

PhotoRyno

Canon EOS-5D

08/07/2005 03:28:14 PM · #7

Here is mine

Right out of the camera. Crop only

Message edited by author 2005-08-07 15:28:42.

muckpond

Nikon D200

Sigma 15mm f/2.8 EX Diagonal Fisheye for Nikon

08/07/2005 04:38:08 PM · #8

this was a total accident but i ended up really liking it. :)

cools98

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM

08/07/2005 07:13:21 PM · #9

I'm a little lost. How do you creat a "high key photo" effect? I've seen it many times, but never knew what it was called, or how to do it.

petrakka

08/07/2005 07:47:40 PM · #10

high key is just a lot of whites in the picture, however keeping detail, the best way to get a good high key photo is to do it in camera, not using photoshop (but thatll always work of course)
high key does not mean blown out overexposed, like some posted.

cools98

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-105mm F/4L IS USM

08/07/2005 07:52:05 PM · #11

So what process would you use, both in camera and in Photoshop, to achieve the effect. Is is mainly just about the composition of the photo, to ensure that you get the proper whites in the photo?

08/07/2005 10:09:27 PM · #12

What I did for mine was to overexpose it. I set the camera +3 stops and set a higher f-stop to have most of the image in focus. This was the first time I tried it and it seems like it worked - by pure luck :)

I've seen others use photoshop to increase the contrast and the brightness but sometimes the drawback is that there's overblown highlights.

My two cents.

elsapo

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

08/07/2005 10:20:47 PM · #13

I used the 50mm lens and a really small aperture to get these

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

08/08/2005 01:25:47 AM · #14

Would everyone mind sharing their EXIFs so that we can follow your steps? Thanks. Great images by the way :)

justin_hewlett

Canon EOS-1000D Rebel XS

08/08/2005 01:27:34 AM · #15

Originally posted by rikki11:

I really like this a lot! I would bet that it would look excellent hanging up on your wall.

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

08/08/2005 01:29:08 AM · #16

Thanks Justin. I guess I lucked out on my first try. I'll be trying to do these with faces soon. I dubt I'll be this luck :)

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/08/2005 02:37:52 AM · #17

People didn't like my high-key entry into the Long Exposure challenge, maybe because of the dark leaves framing the subject. Here I've lightened them up a lot with an oval vignette.

aboutimage

Canon EOS-30D

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

08/08/2005 02:43:12 AM · #18

Left you a comment, Paul. I really like this version.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

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

08/08/2005 02:46:53 AM · #19

Originally posted by aboutimage:

Left you a comment, Paul. I really like this version.

Thanks : )
As far as I can remember, the main image is completely unadjusted.

Message edited by author 2005-08-08 02:47:52.

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

08/08/2005 03:01:31 AM · #20

Took the liberty of experimenting with the image Paul. I hope you don't mind.

Before

After

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

08/08/2005 04:05:40 AM · #21

Originally posted by rikki11:

Took the liberty of experimenting with the image Paul. I hope you don't mind.

Not at all, that's part of why the photos are here.

Probably a better composition losing the upper leaves; your version looks a little grainier now, and with a lot more contrast and detail in the tower. You might want to try starting with the version I uploaded with "normal" exposure--thumbnail link is in the discussion thread of the entry.

08/08/2005 11:00:57 AM · #22

I'll give it a try Paul.

By the way, someone left me a dead bird in the comments for this photo...

...

Eventhough it's a high key photo, it's a little disturbing... I'm sure the commenter was just trying to help. How can I have it removed or should I?

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

08/08/2005 11:44:29 AM · #23

...?

Konador

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

08/08/2005 11:46:21 AM · #24

Changed it to a link for you.