BB4A

I understand that you don't like this image. The image was captured RAW and I subsequently processed it to give the "ghostly effects" seen in the above JPEG (hence the title and art/literary reference).

I didn't process the RAW file to give any High Key effects, and if you check my notes above, you will see that I've been careful NOT to make any statements about High Key images. I've supplied here another JPEG, straight from the RAW, with no post-processing (other than cropping to approximately the same dimensions, for comparison) changes applied to in-camera shot settings. This shows that I didn't start with an over-exposed RAW image. I admit to being a little confused by your assertion that I deliberately or accidentally over-exposed the image, as I can't tell if & when others have done that, just by looking at their post-processed JPEGS.

I just decided, as we are nearing Halloween, to post-process the RAW to give the resultant image a "ghostly appearance" and thereby make an image captured in April more relevant to this time of the year.

WirtzWorld Loc: SE WI

Gotcha. The image you supplied to make your point is very properly exposed. Thanks for your explanation, I didn’t dislike the preferred image, just thought it looked improperly exposed for a high key effect. Some of the other posters must have mentioned high key. Sorry again.

JohnFrim Loc: Somewhere in the Great White North.

The sharp outline of the fabric on her right side is now much easier to understand because the fabric drape on her left side is also visible. But both images are interesting and well done.

BB4A

No problem, I’m just trying to make sure that people don’t get confused about how High Key images are created, and then look at my original submission as an example of that style of photography. While I used some of the techniques associated with High Key work, I definitely “cheated a little for Halloween”, as my second image reveals.

BB4A

Thanks, and yes, the first image was a bit of a selective cheat with the histogram and white balance slides, to allow me to “ghost” the model while retaining the sharp edge of the fabric. I’m often guilty of cheating that way when portraying people as ghosts against a natural light source; my excuse being that to me, it looks “right”.

CO

Exactly! The high-key effect is great.