High Key???

[terri35 7]

Stop being a "natural light" photographer and become a photograhper. Learn how to use and control "man-made" light sources. Sorry, but it really is that simple.

I've always been confused when photographers call themselves "natural light" photographers, because if they are indoors, they use the lighting from lamps, etc.

I think what they really mean to say is "I'm a 'I'm scared to use external flashes, strobes, and studio lighting because I don't understand it' type of photographer."

I agree. You're not going to get high key photography without some source of man manipulated light source. Even if you use the sun as a backlight, you're still going to need fill flash.

I'm getting really sick of the judgmental, non-helpful replies to a question from a beginner in the Beginner's forum! She didn't post this question in the Professional forum, and she's not shooting her first wedding with a camera she was given last week. What, now you all have to roam the internet to see her photos before you decide whether or not she's a good enough "beginner" to answer her question? :er:

Lay off or get out of the Beginner's forum if that's all you have to offer. :thumbdown:

 

[tirediron]

...ETA: Flash is just a tool, yelling at someone for not knowing how to use it isn't very productive or mature.

I don't think anyone was yelling, and I would suggest that the OP's use of the term "natural light photographer" is one which is normally used as a cover by those who don't know or want to learn how to use flash. Saying, "I'm not familiar with the use of flash and want to learn how to shoot high key" is going to yield VASTLY different responses.

 

[cgipson1]

High Key portraits are also defined by having the entire frame with no elements lower than middle grey. Therefor, subjects with dark hair, clothing, shadows, etc., really do not not constitute a High Key portrait.

So by your own definition, the only way to have a true high key image is to shoot a full frame shot of an 18% gray white balance card? Lol

You might want to re-read Kundalini's post... that is NOT what he said! lol!

 

[AaronLLockhart]

I'm getting really sick of the judgmental, non-helpful replies to a question from a beginner in the Beginner's forum! She didn't post this question in the Professional forum, and she's not shooting her first wedding with a camera she was given last week. What, now you all have to roam the internet to see her photos before you decide whether or not she's a good enough "beginner" to answer her question? :er:

Lay off or get out of the Beginner's forum if that's all you have to offer. :thumbdown:

Terri, my post wasn't to belittle her. It was just a statement saying that I don't understand why some photographers sugar coat the reality. It's completely alright that she doesn't use strobes or flashes because she doesn't understand them yet.

However, get to understand them. Don't just sit back and subject yourself to ambient light only just because you are intimidated.

 

[tirediron]

High Key portraits are also defined by having the entire frame with no elements lower than middle grey. Therefor, subjects with dark hair, clothing, shadows, etc., really do not not constitute a High Key portrait.

So by your own definition, the only way to have a true high key image is to shoot a full frame shot of an 18% gray white balance card? Lol

That doesn't make any sense at all...

 

[cgipson1]

Rachel... you WILL need external light sources (Flash!) to successfully shoot high key, especially outdoors. These may help:

12 Unmissable Tutorials on High Key Photography

 

[AaronLLockhart]

You might want to re-read Kundalini's post... that is NOT what he said! lol!

That was a joke. I figured most would have caught that.

 

[cgipson1]

High Key portraits are also defined by having the entire frame with no elements lower than middle grey. Therefor, subjects with dark hair, clothing, shadows, etc., really do not not constitute a High Key portrait.

So by your own definition, the only way to have a true high key image is to shoot a full frame shot of an 18% gray white balance card? Lol

That doesn't make any sense at all...

I agree... Kundalini's explanation was dead on... classic!

 

[cgipson1]

You might want to re-read Kundalini's post... that is NOT what he said! lol!

That was a joke. I figured most would have caught that.

Well.. I guess John and I both missed that...

 

[AaronLLockhart]

Well.. I guess John and I both missed that...

You know... No elements of anything except middle gray.... 18% gray.... Might as well shoot nothing but the gray card.. Ha ha. He he. Joke.

Ok maybe not so funny now that I go back and read it myself.

 

[cgipson1]

Well.. I guess John and I both missed that...

You know... No elements of anything except middle gray.... 18% gray.... Might as well shoot nothing but the gray card.. Ha ha. He he. Joke.

Ok maybe not so funny now that I go back and read it myself.

Actually there are many high key images that have no 18% gray in them... 18% gray is the starting point, with pure white being the other end.

 

[terri35 7]

I'm getting really sick of the judgmental, non-helpful replies to a question from a beginner in the Beginner's forum! She didn't post this question in the Professional forum, and she's not shooting her first wedding with a camera she was given last week. What, now you all have to roam the internet to see her photos before you decide whether or not she's a good enough "beginner" to answer her question? :er:

Lay off or get out of the Beginner's forum if that's all you have to offer. :thumbdown:

Terri, my post wasn't to belittle her. It was just a statement saying that I don't understand why some photographers sugar coat the reality. It's completely alright that she doesn't use strobes or flashes because she doesn't understand them yet.

However, get to understand them. Don't just sit back and subject yourself to ambient light only just because you are intimidated.

Who said she was intimidated? Not her - she did exactly what you are suggested by coming to a photography forum, post a question in the Beginner's forum and say "Please help me understand." That's not my definition of sugar coating reality.

What WILL intimidate a new photographer is getting *****-slapped for not understanding what she's asking about!

I repeat: if you don't want to simply reply to the question, don't post anything.

 

[kundalini]

Well.. I guess John and I both missed that...

You know... No elements of anything except middle gray.... 18% gray.... Might as well shoot nothing but the gray card.. Ha ha. He he. Joke.

Ok maybe not so funny now that I go back and read it myself.

Actually there are many high key images that have no 18% gray in them... 18% gray is the starting point, with pure white being the other end.

^^^ What he said.

 

[RachaelRenaesPhotos]

Is this you? Rachel Renee Photography - Fashion Photography, NYC

no. I don't have a website. and my name isn't spelt like that at all. RachAEl RenAE

 

[RachaelRenaesPhotos]

High key outdoors is the same as high key indoors, EXCEPT that you will need to balance with ambient light. Think of it as two separate exposures, one from the ambient, natural light, and the other from the flash(es).

You'll set the aperture for the flash exposure, and then set the shutter speed for the natural light exposure. The shutter speed should be "correct" for the natural light exposure, so the background doesn't look weird and dark. Your aperture controls the amount of flash the camera sees, since the strobe much faster than the shutter, shutter speed doesn't matter. You probably want to underexpose the "flash exposure" a bit, since you're just looking to brighten up the skin, not provide all the light for the subject.

You can start out with on camera flash in a fill flash setting, or manually dialed down to quite a low setting. You can diffuse the on camera flash with a bit of tissue loosely taped over it, or with a variety of home-made or purchased diffusers.

Moving on, you can use two lights, one on each side set at around 45 degrees, to start to get the classic "high key" look.

The hard part is balancing the flash and the natural light. Be gentle with the flash, otherwise you start to look like cheesy and fake.

ETA: Flash is just a tool, yelling at someone for not knowing how to use it isn't very productive or mature.

thank you! This is the first time I've read anything that made sense and helped me. It's whatever if they want to yell at a 16 year old for asking a question because I didn't know, its ok :thumbup: I'll use all of their info anyways