High key portraits?

[Jacki]

Has anyone else noticed that a lot of people lately are opting to make their portraits high key? I've seen this method done well, but with portraits it mostly just makes them look incredibly overexposed and harsh on the eyes, imo. Since I've been seeing it done a lot lately, I thought I would get everyone's thoughts on it.

 

[Big Mike]

Actually, a lot of people confuse 'high key' with just plain overexposed.

A proper high key portrait is when you choose light colors & bright tones for your background and your subject's clothing/accessories etc. It doesn't mean all-white and it doesn't mean overexposed.

 

[Jacki]

Actually, a lot of people confuse 'high key' with just plain overexposed.

A proper high key portrait is when you choose light colors & bright tones for your background and your subject's clothing/accessories etc. It doesn't mean all-white and it doesn't mean overexposed.

Yeah, I noticed, in the high key images I've seen that were done correctly. It seems rare though, lol. I've seen quite a few good photographers take a great image and make it so I can't even look at it, or my eyes will start crossing. I was just wondering if I was missing something, or maybe needed to get my eye prescription updated.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

...or lower your monitors brightness.

 

[Jacki]

...or lower your monitors brightness.

LOL...I've actually done that before when looking at a large amount of photos that were done this way.

 

[KmH]

High key is tough to do well, and takes considerable lighting equipment and skill.