First attempt at High Key: This is my first attempt to create a high key image. The model is my step daughter. C&C Welcome...

Nightsky Loc: Augusta, GA USA

This is my first attempt to create a high key image. The model is my step daughter. C&C Welcome

(Download)

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

the white shirt kind of ruins it for me. Too hard to get any separation in the "camera right" side, almost bleeds into the background. One suggestion, even though she is obviously thin and VERY pretty, would be to try to short light her instead of broad light. Turning her face towards the light would have accomplished that, or moving the main light to the other side. You also cut off her fingers on her right hand.

Great first attempt, and I'm sure Bobby and/or Cliff and/or Russ can offer better suggestions. I'm not critisizing, just trying to offer tips. Awesome job with the posing. Either you are a very good director, or she's a natural.

IR Jim Loc: St. Louis

Very nice first attempt. Good pose and expression on the model. I would suggest trying a full white or closer to white wardrobe. To me the blue jeans draw my eyes away from her face and almost makes it seem like her head is floating above them. That's just my opinion of course.
I'm curious, what kind of lighting setup do you have?

Nightsky Loc: Augusta, GA USA

bkyser wrote:

the white shirt kind of ruins it for me. Too hard... (show quote)

Thank you for taking the time to look and comment. She's new to this but learning, as am I.

Nightsky Loc: Augusta, GA USA

IR Jim wrote:

Very nice first attempt. Good pose and expression on the model. I would suggest trying a full white or closer to white wardrobe. To me the blue jeans draw my eyes away from her face and almost makes it seem like her head is floating above them. That's just my opinion of course.
I'm curious, what kind of lighting setup do you have?

Thank you for taking the time to look and comment. I can see what you mean on the lighter color on the bottom. Her dark hair and skin tone also stand out a lot, but there is a shortage of models at my house lol.

The lighting was done with two Buff Einstein monolights. One as the background with an 84" PLM umbrella with a white diffuser in front of it.
The other as the main light camera right with a 60" octabox, and a 36" silver reflector camera left.

hlmichel Loc: New Hope, Minnesota

I like it.

I read a tutorial on high key yesterday that I'm going to attempt someday.

Only one light is used and it's aimed at the wall behind the model. The model is actually lit by two large reflectors in the front--the photographer is shooting from between the two reflectors.

Nightsky Loc: Augusta, GA USA

hlmichel wrote:

I like it.

I read a tutorial on high key yesterday that I'm going to attempt someday.

Only one light is used and it's aimed at the wall behind the model. The model is actually lit by two large reflectors in the front--the photographer is shooting from between the two reflectors.

Thank you! I've seen that done in tutorials as well, using white v flats (which I don't have - not because of the cost - they are cheap to make, but hard to store when not in use).

jonsommer Loc: Usually, somewhere on the U.S. west coast.

Just a couple of comments from a relative portrait neophyte, I think I would have stopped the main light down one stop and added just a little more light to the fill light, I would coach her to give you a closed lip smile, not the partially open smile that just shows her two front incisors. I would also encourage to not wear a black bra under a white blouse, but if that would be awkward, I would make sure her black bra strap doesn't show like it does here. As was mentioned, I would not crop off her fingers like you did, and it looks like she is holding something dark in her camera left hand, but it's unclear what, if anything, it is, and I would ask her to put it down, or show the viewer what it is.

I like her 'saucy' stance, and the fingers through the belt loops is a nice detail that adds character to her personality.

For a first high key attempt . . . you done good!

Nightsky Loc: Augusta, GA USA

jonsommer wrote:

Just a couple of comments from a relative portrait... (show quote)

Jon - thanks for viewing/commenting. Good tips. nothing in her hand, just a dark shadow on the jeans. I did have another version of it with the hand not cropped off, unfortunately I'm not at home right now - no access to it.

Thanks!

alissaspieces Loc: New York

Are the reflectors grabbing the light that is bouncing off of the white backdrop?

hlmichel wrote:

I like it.

I read a tutorial on high key yesterday that I'm going to attempt someday.

Only one light is used and it's aimed at the wall behind the model. The model is actually lit by two large reflectors in the front--the photographer is shooting from between the two reflectors.

alissaspieces Loc: New York

I think this is an excellent first attempt. I agree with what others have said but you got the background white! The model is very pretty and I definatly understand that the more practice the better we get! This was a great start!

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

IR Jim wrote:

Very nice first attempt. Good pose and expression on the model. I would suggest trying a full white or closer to white wardrobe. To me the blue jeans draw my eyes away from her face and almost makes it seem like her head is floating above them. That's just my opinion of course.
I'm curious, what kind of lighting setup do you have?

High key doesn't necessarily mean wearing all white. You can take photos of African American people in dark clothes, and still be high key. Cliff had a great example in another thread. I'm not at a place to look it up, but if I get a chance, I'll link to that thread. *(can't multitask on my ancient android)

tsilva Loc: Arizona

you people seem to have no idea at all of what a high key photo is. a high key photo does not mean a blown out background

and no, AA people or any dark skinned/haired people or anyone wearing dark clothes is a high key photo

I think I have finally grown fedup with the misinformation on this site and the childish moderators in the "critique" section.

am thinking it's time to take leave of here

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

tsilva wrote:

you people seem to have no idea at all of what a high key photo is. a high key photo does not mean a blown out background

and no, AA people or any dark skinned/haired people or anyone wearing dark clothes is a high key photo

I think I have finally grown fedup with the misinformation on this site and the childish moderators in the "critique" section.

am thinking it's time to take leave of here

I think you are right......about time to leave if you can't disagree without throwing a hissy fit. Been in the business for over 30 years, have done commercial work, etc. You are wrong. Yes, you can have high key with African American people (AA as you put it) and yes, you can use dark clothes. High key is all about the backdrop and lighting. Thanks for playing along, and I won't miss you if you can't disagree without threatening to take your toys and go home.

IR Jim Loc: St. Louis

bkyser wrote:

High key doesn't necessarily mean wearing all white. You can take photos of African American people in dark clothes, and still be high key. Cliff had a great example in another thread. I'm not at a place to look it up, but if I get a chance, I'll link to that thread. *(can't multitask on my ancient android)

I simply said that my eyes were drawn towards the jeans. I did not say it was incorrect.