Photographers are frequently taught to take photos that are
well-balanced, clear, and properly exposed. However, once you've gotten
comfortable behind the camera, one of the most exciting aspects of photography
is messing with these conventions and breaking rules. High key photography is
an exciting type of photography that involves taking bright, overexposed
photos, and it is an excellent style for beginning photographers who want to
progress beyond the basics.
What Is High Key Photography?
High key photography is a photography style that employs
unusually bright lighting to reduce or completely eliminate dark shadows in an
image. High key shots typically lack dark tones, and the high key look is
perceived as positive and upbeat. High key lighting is commonly used in
portrait and product photography. It is not the same as low key photography,
which has the opposite effect. Low key images have a high contrast and are
darkly lit. When compared to high key lighting, low key lighting is much more
subtle.
6 Essential Equipment You Need for High Key Photography
When shooting low-key photographs, you can get away with a
small lighting kit, but a high-key lighting setup will necessitate a larger
selection of lights to increase the number of light sources and available
light. Some of the camera and lighting equipment you'll need to get started
shooting high key images is listed below:
1. Camera digital: A basic DSLR or mirrorless digital camera
is required for high key photography. Purchase a versatile entry-level camera
that will allow you to shoot in a variety of lighting conditions.
2. Strobes: Strong standalone studio strobes are essential
for any studio lighting kit, but especially for photographers wishing to
capture high-key images. Invest in a powerful set of strobes to ensure you have
enough light when photographing a high-key portrait or product. Strobes can be
used as a primary light source, which can then be supplemented with additional
lights.
3. Softbox: A softbox is a less expensive alternative to a
strobe that can be used in place of or in addition to strobes. Soft boxes don't
have nearly the same lighting power as strobes and may not be able to reduce
shadow areas and blow out mid tones as effectively as powerful strobes.
4. Fill light: In
order to reduce shadows on your subject, make sure you have enough fill light.
Place lights opposite your key light to achieve the proper lighting ratio for
low contrast high key images.
5. Background
lights: Similar to fill lights, background lights can help you get an
unnaturally high amount of light on your subject.
6. White
background: For most high key studio photography, a white background is ideal.
White reflects artificial and natural light back onto your subject while
lowering overall contrast to emphasize the high key look.
4 Camera Settings for High-Key Photography
Aside from having the proper equipment, you should have a
good understanding of what camera settings are most commonly used in high key
photography. Getting the right settings can be a trial and error process, as it
is with all photography. The following are some basic high key photography
settings that you can experiment with during your high key photography shoot:
1. Shutter speed: Set your shutter speed to overexpose your
image. This will ensure that your photo is properly lit to achieve the high key
look.
2. Aperture: Use a fast, wide aperture.
3. ISO: Set your
ISO to 100 or whatever the lowest ISO your camera can handle.
4. Exposure
compensation: If you're using aperture priority, use exposure compensation to
boost the exposure by two to three stops.
3 Tips for Shooting High Key Photography
It's time to start shooting now that you have the proper
photography equipment and have studied some basic camera settings. Practice is
essential to becoming a good high-key photographer. As you shoot more high-key
images, you'll develop your own style. Here are some photography tips to help
you get started on your first few high-profile shoots:
1. Disperse the light. Make use of as much light as
possible, and ensure that it fills the space in which you are working. If
possible, light your subject from all sides to reduce shadows and contrast.
When it comes to high key photography, remember that less is not more. Because
you're attempting to create an unnaturally lit image, you can afford to go
overboard with the lighting. If your light sources are limited, use a diffuser
to spread the available light.
2. Make use of shadows. Just because you're attempting to
reduce shadows in general doesn't mean that high key photography doesn't
occasionally include shadows. Fill lights should be used to fill in the
majority of the shadows cast by your main lights. However, some shadows are not
available, particularly when shooting outside in natural light.
3. Post-production. Editing and post-processing are critical
for high-key photography. You try to blow out your subjects with an abundance
of light during high key shoots. You can reduce the lighting in post-processing
and editing to ensure that enough detail is visible in your images.
