Under the right lighting conditions, taking high key images is another fun way to photograph. It is a little easier to predict the end result because the lightest areas in the subject before you are the same areas that will end up being obliterated - or nearly so - in your final image. The camera's histogram becomes a valuable tool to determine if there is enough information in the lightest areas of the image. Whether you choose to shoot manually or use shutter or aperture priority doesn't effect the end result as long as you have the control you need to accomplish your goal.
Snow is a good candidate for this technique since it is already white to begin with. By removing almost all detail from the snow (pushing the whites to the right of the histogram in Lightroom), this image ended up being nearly a monochrome image although the colors weren't removed. It would be easy enough to do, however.
My grandson emerging from the water in a swimming pool was also a good situation in which to use a high key effect. It also works well with someone who has a less than perfect complexion as it will smooth the look of the skin and obscure most defects. The thing I like about this image is it takes a second to figure out what was going on when the image was taken.
This is also a high key image, although it is not as extreme as the previous two. Note how the back of his t-shirt is obliterated by the light. That is about as far as you would want to push it. White backgrounds are usually a distraction, but in this photo, it actually aids in keeping your eye focused on the main subject.
It is a fun technique and I only wish I would remember to use it more often - or at least try it.
No comments:
Post a Comment