I've recently read a lot a trying to get a true definition of high-key. This is the Wikipedia definition:
"High-key lighting is a style of lighting for film, television, or photography that aims to reduce the lighting ratio present in the scene. This was originally done partly for technological reasons, since early film and television did not deal well with high contrast ratios, but now is used to suggest an upbeat mood. It is often used in sitcoms and comedies. High-key lighting is usually quite homogeneous and free from dark shadows.
In the 1950s and 1960s, high-key lighting was achieved through multiple light sources lighting a scene—usually using three fixtures per person (left, right, and central) —which resulted in a uniform lighting pattern with very little modeling. Nowadays, multiple hot light sources are substituted with much more efficient fluorescent soft lights which provide a similar effect.
The advantage to high-key lighting is that it doesn't require adjustment for each scene which allows the production to complete the shooting in hours instead of days. The primary drawback is that high-key lighting fails to add meaning or drama by lighting certain parts more prominently than others.
Most recently, shows with bigger budgets moved away from high-key lighting by using lighting set-ups different from the standard three-point lighting. Part of the reason for this is the advent of new lighting fixtures which are easier to use and quicker to set up. Another reason is the growing sophistication of the audience for TV programs and the need to differentiate."
A true High-Key image is done through lighting. You should have a very small tonal range, very little shadow and mid tones, with most of it being in the light tonal range. However, you shouldn't have any clipping of your highlights. Most of the images you find if you Google "High-Key Photos" are simply images that were either overexposed when shot or adjusted in post. This is not a true "High-Key" image, at least not from what I have read.
Now, some of the information I have found states that even the colors used in the image should lean toward very lights or pastels. So an image of a person wearing a black shirt is not truly high-key if you follow this school of thought, even thought you nailed your lighting.
Most of the images you find if you Google "High-Key Photos" are simply images that were either overexposed when shot or adjusted in post. This is not a true "High-Key" image, at least not from what I have read.
Yeah, there are many definitions of high-key around, but they all seem to agree that images are *not* over-exposed.
Now, some of the information I have found states that even the colors used in the image should lean toward very lights or pastels. So an image of a person wearing a black shirt is not truly high-key if you follow this school of thought, even thought you nailed your lighting.
not wearing dark clothes seems to be 'standard' for high-key shots, however this seems to contradict the first sentence of the Wiki text, stating that high-key is a style of lighting. It says nothing about the subject
Google some more and you'll find many more ideas about what is high-key and what is not, unfortunately. As far as the challenge goes, if you feel your shot is high-key, you can enter it
Yeah, there are many definitions of high-key around, but they all seem to agree that images are *not* over-exposed.
not wearing dark clothes seems to be 'standard' for high-key shots, however this seems to contradict the first sentence of the Wiki text, stating that high-key is a style of lighting. It says nothing about the subject
I can see where dark clothing could appear similar to shadows in an image and thus push away from a bright, even-toned effect. Fortunately, however, these are definitions of creative techniques and not laws set in stone. So we should feel free to bend or break them at will to achieve our desired effect. Let the viewer decide whether the result is successful!
I can see where dark clothing could appear similar to shadows in an image and thus push away from a bright, even-toned effect. Fortunately, however, these are definitions of creative techniques and not laws set in stone. So we should feel free to bend or break them at will to achieve our desired effect. Let the viewer decide whether the result is successful!
The poll has been added. It will be hard to choose your favorite out of all these great entries I'm sure, but it is time to vote for the December round folks! you can do so here: http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=151821
I've never done this, but my two questions are
1) Is the texture generally something else you've take a picture of, or are there libraries of textures out there that one taps?
2) Is this as straight forward as doing a bit of masking (if desired) and then a blend between layers, or is there more to this process. If so, are there recommended tutorials on the flow (for CS)?
I've never done this, but my two questions are
1) Is the texture generally something else you've take a picture of, or are there libraries of textures out there that one taps?
2) Is this as straight forward as doing a bit of masking (if desired) and then a blend between layers, or is there more to this process. If so, are there recommended tutorials on the flow (for CS)?
Some of the portraits I've seen in the challenge thread are just killer. I'm looking for resources to learn how to do this myself. All I've found so far (in a very limited amount of searching thus far) is the www.stuckincustoms.com webpage. Any other links much appreciated.
Oh, and I'm trying to apply this to car photography as well.
Some of the portraits I've seen in the challenge thread are just killer. I'm looking for resources to learn how to do this myself. All I've found so far (in a very limited amount of searching thus far) is the www.stuckincustoms.com webpage. Any other links much appreciated.
Oh, and I'm trying to apply this to car photography as well.
I think this would work given the proper context, such as at a rustic or industrial setting:
Comments
Canon 24-105 f/4L IS
Canon 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS
Canon 17-40 f/4L
Sennheiser MKE400 shotgun Mic
High-key photos usually have high exposure values (not overexposed), low contrast and lack of/few shadows.
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
I've recently read a lot a trying to get a true definition of high-key. This is the Wikipedia definition:
"High-key lighting is a style of lighting for film, television, or photography that aims to reduce the lighting ratio present in the scene. This was originally done partly for technological reasons, since early film and television did not deal well with high contrast ratios, but now is used to suggest an upbeat mood. It is often used in sitcoms and comedies. High-key lighting is usually quite homogeneous and free from dark shadows.
In the 1950s and 1960s, high-key lighting was achieved through multiple light sources lighting a scene—usually using three fixtures per person (left, right, and central) —which resulted in a uniform lighting pattern with very little modeling. Nowadays, multiple hot light sources are substituted with much more efficient fluorescent soft lights which provide a similar effect.
The advantage to high-key lighting is that it doesn't require adjustment for each scene which allows the production to complete the shooting in hours instead of days. The primary drawback is that high-key lighting fails to add meaning or drama by lighting certain parts more prominently than others.
Most recently, shows with bigger budgets moved away from high-key lighting by using lighting set-ups different from the standard three-point lighting. Part of the reason for this is the advent of new lighting fixtures which are easier to use and quicker to set up. Another reason is the growing sophistication of the audience for TV programs and the need to differentiate."
A true High-Key image is done through lighting. You should have a very small tonal range, very little shadow and mid tones, with most of it being in the light tonal range. However, you shouldn't have any clipping of your highlights. Most of the images you find if you Google "High-Key Photos" are simply images that were either overexposed when shot or adjusted in post. This is not a true "High-Key" image, at least not from what I have read.
Now, some of the information I have found states that even the colors used in the image should lean toward very lights or pastels. So an image of a person wearing a black shirt is not truly high-key if you follow this school of thought, even thought you nailed your lighting.
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
not wearing dark clothes seems to be 'standard' for high-key shots, however this seems to contradict the first sentence of the Wiki text, stating that high-key is a style of lighting. It says nothing about the subject
Google some more and you'll find many more ideas about what is high-key and what is not, unfortunately. As far as the challenge goes, if you feel your shot is high-key, you can enter it
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
I can see where dark clothing could appear similar to shadows in an image and thus push away from a bright, even-toned effect. Fortunately, however, these are definitions of creative techniques and not laws set in stone. So we should feel free to bend or break them at will to achieve our desired effect. Let the viewer decide whether the result is successful!
+1
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
+1 Couldn't agree more
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
Of note:
So far we have a very good pervenyage of entries from Dgrin newbs(less than 100 posts)
MissB- beautiful entry with a shot that is perfect for the technique.
C'mon guys...gals....grab an old fave from the archives and learn this technique!:D
Jeff
-Need help with Dgrin?; Wedding Photography Resources
-My Website - Blog - Tips for Senior Portraiture
1) Is the texture generally something else you've take a picture of, or are there libraries of textures out there that one taps?
2) Is this as straight forward as doing a bit of masking (if desired) and then a blend between layers, or is there more to this process. If so, are there recommended tutorials on the flow (for CS)?
Thanks,
-a
Who is wise? He who learns from everyone.
My SmugMug Site
Start right here....
http://dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=154657
a thread that was supposed to be a big fat "hint" on this....
Jeff
-Need help with Dgrin?; Wedding Photography Resources
-My Website - Blog - Tips for Senior Portraiture
Found a free texture gold mine... thought I'd share:
http://www.grungetextures.com/
Here are a few other places:
http://sixrevisions.com/freebies/textures/free-high-res-rough-textures/
http://sixrevisions.com/freebies/textures/high-res-red-rocks-texture-pack/
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
My total texture trove is 1 texture right now....
Who is wise? He who learns from everyone.
My SmugMug Site
Oh, and I'm trying to apply this to car photography as well.
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
http://www.associatedcontent.com/image/11952/photoshop_tutorial_how_to_apply_textures.html?cat=59
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ayushbhandari/2307395528/
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
My Smug Site
Who is wise? He who learns from everyone.
My SmugMug Site
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
I think this would work given the proper context, such as at a rustic or industrial setting:
A former sports shooter
Follow me at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bjurasz/
My Etsy store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/mercphoto?ref=hdr_shop_menu
Anonymous, those are just AWESOME!!!
Guess who's going on a downloading spree now mmuuuwwwahhhhh.
Every picture on my hard drive needs to be shaking in it's boots right now.
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www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug