So this was my first attempt at high key. I am content with how it turned out but i would love some constructive crtiticism! The first one was the one with minimal editing, but the background was kind of gray which bothered me. The second one i upped the gamma in processing to make the background lighter, but im not sure if thats better or not. Input is appreciated!!
By the way, i did this using the light from my window, and taping white sheets of paper on the wall....anybody want to suggest a more effective way to shoot high key without a lot of resources?? Thanks!
It's a beautiful shot, the second one is more typically "high key" but both edits are lovely. Window light and a white paper background are the way to go for sure.
Looking at your exif, you are shooting at 1/500. To get a brighter, whiter background, it is often a lot easier if you shoot on a tripod and have a longer exposure. Just what I've found, anyway!
Great photos... I havent been able to get high key.. Is it possible to do it without having to edit??? Im trying not to edit my photos in my project except maybe a crop.
I think your images are lovely. Here is a link to some suggestions for shooting high key using only natural light. http://shutterstoppers.com/high-key-photography-natural-light/
I have successfully used my microwave oven as a light box for doing high key. the interior is white, it has an overhead light source etc. Of course it limits the size of your subject. I will find my white bowls pic done with this method and post it for you.
@mrsbaldy --here is my first attempt using only natural light! I used a pair of white sheets- one as a wall, and one as bottom. I then put the pup in front of it and snapped away. I'm pretty pleased, given it was my first try!
this is going to sound wish list but i prefer the flower in the first and the background in the second :)
Ideally with high key, you want the exposure in the background to be either the same or even 1-2 stops brigher than the subject - which basically means you should light the background. Using just 1 light means that because your subject is closer than your backgorund, your subject will be brighter
Lighting the background evenly is the key to this as various light sounces will give you a hotspot in the centre and fall off towards the edges.
With both examples here, you can see that there's light drop off on the background. In the first there's probably up to a full stop in various parts of the background and the colour balance actually looks a little off. The second example you can see what looks to be about a 1/2 stop drop off especially around the bottom edges and the top left.
@nadah My personal preference is #2. I like the whiter background. The petals in focus seem to stand out better. @judi What a smart cookie you are. That's using the tools at your disposal. I would have never thought of that.
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
I have successfully used my microwave oven as a light box for doing high key. the interior is white, it has an overhead light source etc. Of course it limits the size of your subject. I will find my white bowls pic done with this method and post it for you.
Ideally with high key, you want the exposure in the background to be either the same or even 1-2 stops brigher than the subject - which basically means you should light the background. Using just 1 light means that because your subject is closer than your backgorund, your subject will be brighter
Lighting the background evenly is the key to this as various light sounces will give you a hotspot in the centre and fall off towards the edges.
With both examples here, you can see that there's light drop off on the background. In the first there's probably up to a full stop in various parts of the background and the colour balance actually looks a little off. The second example you can see what looks to be about a 1/2 stop drop off especially around the bottom edges and the top left.
To really give high key a shot with for example the second image, you'd want to have 2 lights on the background (left and right of the subject) and one on the subject itself.
http://photo.tutsplus.com/tutorials/lighting/beginners-guide-to-shooting-high-key/