Ranunculus. Nikon D200. Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8. 105mm (Equiv 157mm). ISO 200. 1/90 sec at f.4. Copyright Joanne Mason 2012.
Second Ranunculus of the new series today. This is another “high key” image, and I want to say something about high key because I think it’s an interesting technique and something really worth trying. Working with a high key approach not only produces interesting and dramatic images, but also can help improve technique and skills.
High key = High key light. The term originates in cinematography. Technically, it describes a high ratio of key (main) light to fill light, but generally refers to an approach to lighting with very high main lighting. The scene or image could seem washed out. Images can end up being ethereal or dreamy, light and airy, usually with low contrast.
In my high key images, I shoot against a pure white background and use strong direct strobes. As much as possible, I also try to eliminate or minimize shadows. There are a variety of techniques used. Some shoot against a frosted glass or plexiglass background and provide lighting from behind (in addition to key light in front). I always shoot Raw, and this provides an opportunity to further push the exposure to high levels without blowing out the highlights.
I edit these images in Lightroom and Nik tools in order to further emphasize the high key lighting ratio. However, in almost all the high key images I’ve posted here, I then filter the main subject (usually, the flowers) in order to bring out detail and contrast very selectively. In Nik this is done easily by first applying a high key filter or other brightening effect and then subtracting the same effect from the subject I want to emphasize. In terms of traditional photoprocessing, this is the same as overexposing the print and selectively dodging the areas of the subject to be emphasized.
High key techniques work best in the studio where you have more control over exposure, and where you can isolate subject from background. Technically, though, there is no reason you couldn’t apply high key methods on location. (I need to go back through my blogged images and add high key tags where appropriate.)
The opposite of high key shooting is low key shooting, also interesting for very different reasons. In a future post I’ll say something about low key images.
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