high key or not?

[steffievdakker]

I was trying out my flash that I got myself for Christmas and decided I'd try to get an high key image. Don't mind the sad look on the model's face, it's me, and I had a hard time looking happy in front of a camera without photographer!

When I look up high key images on flickr, I see a lot of different styles. I did this with Gimp, but I'm not sure if it is high key or just a very light image with not very much contrast. I would love to learn some more about this!



Camera: Nikon D80 with flash SB-600
Exposure: 0.017 sec (1/60)
Aperture: f/5.6
Focal Length: 18 mm
Flash fired, auto mode

[nybeachcpl]

I'm in no position to offer advice on High key but I definitely like the shot.

[sybren]

This is definitely a high-key image! It's not so much about the available contrast, it's about the distribution of light (and dark). Take a look at the histogram - you'll see that there is a large peak at the left side, which means lots of light colours.

[steffievdakker]

I don't have a histogram of this, because I made it high key with Gimp... What confuses me so much about high key isi that when you look it up on the internet, it's often pictures that are blown out, or pictures that look like they just don't have any contrast anymore. I tried to have everything light but still have some contrast. Are all those variations high key?

(I guess that question doesn't have anything to do with my photo, but I'm just curious)

[sybren]

Originally Posted by steffievdakker

I don't have a histogram of this, because I made it high key with Gimp...

Sure you have! You can make a histogram of any image you want. For example (on Gimp 2.6) go to Colours -> Curves, and you'll see a histogram. You can even choose between a linear (usually used by cameras) and exponential scale.

What confuses me so much about high key isi that when you look it up on the internet, it's often pictures that are blown out, or pictures that look like they just don't have any contrast anymore. I tried to have everything light but still have some contrast. Are all those variations high key?

As far as I know, you're spot on. High-key has a majority of lighter-than-average-grey colours, low-key has a majority of darker-than-average-grey colours.

[Giya]

I am no expert either, but I think you are correct. High-key doesn't mean blown out or overexposed. It's typified by a light tonality vs. a dark tonality for a low key. It doesn't have to be a BW pic either. A lot of it has to do with mood. High-key evokes a happy, extroverted, feeling (think smiling toothpaste commercials) while Low-key is moody and introspective. Overexposing is a method to achieve high-key, but just because an image is overexposed doesn't make it high-key.

And for the record, great high-key shot! Really nice reflections in your eyes. And be sure to ask that model back - she's a keeper.

[steffievdakker]

Thanks for all the info and compliments, this really helps! I think I'll experiment with this some more