High Key attempts

Phenomenological

These were taken at a party some time last summer - The background was appalling, and the best way I could think of to remove it was to go high key. So I did...Any comments on them are appreciated. Bear in mind they're not posed - Totally candid. The joy of a DSLR is that when someone looks at you, before they figure out you've got a camera the shutter has already clicked. I much prefer more natural looking portraits to clearly posed ones.

http://phenomenological.deviantart.com/art/High-Key-125032429


http://phenomenological.deviantart.com/art/High-Key-2-125068969

D'Buggs

Lots of blow-out..... IMO, high key is about getting everything even as possible and exposed with detail.

sweet caroline

I like the second shot, even with some areas blown out. Her eyes, the freckles, her hands, I like.

The first shot has too many problems for me. She has something in her hair at the top of her head that I can't quite make out. I don't like her mouth or the way her hair invades her face.

Caroline

codiac2600

D'Buggs wrote:

Lots of blow-out..... IMO, high key is about getting everything even as possible and exposed with detail.

One of the key things that I learned from fashion photographer Benjamin Kanarek is that in all honesty blown highlights are ok and many times unavoidable to reach the image you are looking for.

Many of these "rules" that have been set need to be broken and shown that the only limit to our photography is our own imagination not a set of rules.

Qarik

I don't mind the blown highlights..I do mind that the "cutout" in the 1st shot is waay too obvious and hair in front of the mouth is distracting.

whiterice

#2 looks really spectacular!

#1 not so much - sort of contrived, not very natural.

D'Buggs

codiac2600 wrote:

Many of these "rules" that have been set need to be broken and shown that the only limit to our photography is our own imagination not a set of rules.

I'll be the 1st to agree with this statement... But as an individual, I'm allowed to have preference, too.

Nikolai

High key is a strange beast. Very narrow margin between a "blown out" snap and a "work of art". And of course, everybody has their own personal preferences...

Phenomenological

Thanks for all the comments people - Nice range of opinions!

Mike J

I agree that #1 looks too contrived (especially the one-finger hand) but I really like #2. For me, there is a great connection between the model and the camera (and by extension - me). That's what make this one work for me.