p.1 #1 · High Key Portrait of my 1 year old daughter
Just starting out with using speedlights and studio equipment, and portrait post processing, I'm usually a landscape photographer. I wanted to try a high key portrait, after watching some videos on YouTube.
p.1 #7 · High Key Portrait of my 1 year old daughter
Well done, I like it.
I am also curious as to why this is not high-key. It fits my understanding of the term "high-key".
Would somebody please explain?
p.1 #8 · High Key Portrait of my 1 year old daughter
If you noticed, I didn't exactly jump on the "Not High-Key" bandwagon, but I do tend to agree it's not quite high-key. The thing is, just like everything in photography, the definition is subjective. One person will interpret it differently than another. And in my opinion, no one is wrong, and no one is right.
For me, high-key means the subject (not just the background) is pretty hot and the highlights are pretty close to being blown out, and the subject's highlights outweigh the areas that are not hot. While in this case, the subject is pretty bright, nothing is even (IMO) close to being blown out.
Now that I said that, a dozen people may jump on board to beg to differ with me. And that's my whole point. I'm not right for everyone, I'm just right for me. For the OP, this may be high key, and I'm not going to argue with that.
But no matter what, this kid is really cute and this shot is a total winner!
p.1 #9 · High Key Portrait of my 1 year old daughter
Thank you Ron for your reply.
I think your definition is probably how a lot people define high key. With all the fashion and advertising photos we see now, I can't blame them. But your definition only refers to exposure.
For what it's worth, my first photo instructor taught that "key" refers to all elements of a photo. For portraiture it includes lighting, clothing, background and exposure. All the elements should work together. High key included light colored clothing and backgrounds, not necessarily white, and bright lighting. Low key included dark clothing and dark backgrounds and dark moody lighting. He was also big on exposure. Nothing over, nothing under.
I agree with you that we all have our own definition and there is no right or wrong, just what works.
But I still cringe when someone presents a photo with a subject in dark clothing and medium background with the exposure bumped up to the point of blown highlights and calls it high-key.
I really really like the photo and by any definition it is a great photo.
p.1 #12 · High Key Portrait of my 1 year old daughter
Framed in at least a 16x20 for my wall or maybe square it up...24x24.....definitely deserves a large framing and a prominent wall in the home! I love it!
