High key or OTT?

[Scatterbrain]

I've been trying to achieve a high key style portrait.

Camera: Canon EOS 400D Digital
Exposure: 0.013 sec (1/80)
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Flash: Flash did not fire

I used bright but natural lighting but had to edit the background & sharpen the eyes etc in photoshop.

What do you think?
I kind of like it, but she's my daughter & the eyes just pierce my soul when I look at it! My main query is the exposure. Is it too light? I followed a magazine tutorial and this is my first attempt at high key.

Thanks for sparing the time to look at my photograph.

S

[OhSnapPhotos]

I like this one much better!! It's kinda disappointing that the wings fade into the background, but I like the consistent detail throughout. And, you're right, your little ones eyes are piercing! Not just to a parent's soul.

[sk66]

I wouldn't consider this "high key", I'd consider this more overexposed...High key, by definition, is all shades fall from middle to bright (low key is the opposite).
I think this with correct exposure on her and the wings fading off (as in just a hint of real angel) and removing the straps would make an excellent picture.

I think for high key you'll need more contrasty(is that a word?) Lighting.

[Scatterbrain]

OK, thanks. I don't know why I didn't think of looking at the levels!

This was lightened from the original so I might be able to recreate a more appropriate high key look. It's funny - I think it's one of these terms that are bandied around without a lot of people knowing what it actually means as a lot of the pictures described as high-key that I've seen are even lighter than this.

I'll take another look and see what I can do. Thanks for your comments.

I think I'll try to retain the face detail in the original & some wing detail while cleaning up the background.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by Scatterbrain

It's funny - I think it's one of these terms that are bandied around without a lot of people knowing what it actually means as a lot of the pictures described as high-key that I've seen are even lighter than this.
I think I'll try to retain the face detail in the original & some wing detail while cleaning up the background.

I agree, many "high key" photos really aren't high key, but the "many that are even lighter" may be. If this picture were high key it would be lighter overall, but not from overexposing/washing out. I guess the difference is the highlights are still "right", just the lowlights are removed or never captured.

I think your idea for the re-edit is a very good one. Don't worry about making it "fit a category".