High Key and Low Key with DIY equipment

[LeeJD]

Hi,
I don't have studio equipment but was wondering if it is possible to achieve high key & low key effects by maybe using DIY equipment or an easy setup?

[prince]

Sure, I think you can. Low key might be easier since you need more shadows and dark areas with little light on the subject. High key can be achieved too with you manual settings using natural light.

I did one in post processing though, but was not as easy as I though

Good luck!!

[CapnJack]

What's high and low key?

Thanks!

[PowerPix]

Originally Posted by Cap'n Jack

What's high and low key?

Thanks!

A high key image is one where the details show in the highlights.
A low key image is one where the details show in the shadows.

You can google "high key photo" and "low key photo" to get some ideas of what they are.

[ArtsyFartsy_LiLMama]

Originally Posted by prince

Sure, I think you can. Low key might be easier since you need more shadows and dark areas with little light on the subject. High key can be achieved too with you manual settings using natural light.

I did one in post processing though, but was not as easy as I though

Good luck!!

So what do you need and how do you set it up?? I REALLY want to try it!!
TIA

[jdepould]

High key is just a matter of lighting your background properly. It doesn't matter HOW you light it, you just need to push everything to the right on the histogram (without clipping), basically.

[TW0R]

I dont know if this is exactly what you are refering to, but he SUN is a great light (for a couple of hours) and you can bounce the light to the other side of your subject with foamboard or other reflective objects.

[Benji]

The internet is a great source of two things. Information, and MISinformation.

I found the following definition on another photography forum which IMHO is accurate: "High Key In Photography, lighting that produces tones that fall mostly between white and gray, with very few dark-gray or black tones. In the digital age this translates to all tones in the image will be above 128 with the exception of [a] few black tones. These few could be for example the pupils of the subject's eyes in a portrait and/or the hair of the subject. This would not include a subject wearing black slacks posed on an all white background." The first image I posted below is a true high key image.

In low key images everything is below the above mentioned 128. Again a few areas can be above 128 such as a collar or jewelry etc. but a subject wearing a white shirt on a black background would not be a low key image. The second image I have posted below is a good example of a low key image.

DIY high key is going to be difficult, although if you live where there is lots of snow maybe not!!! Low key is easy for the DIYr.

Benji

[daddyoproductions]

I've used the bathtub (our bathtub and shower surround are all white and we used sheets for reflectors in front) for a high key potrait using clamp on lights and white light bulbs...but you couldn't get a full length portrait that way.