You may not be familiar with the term, ‘high key photography,’ but you certainly have seen high key images. Imagine an ethereal photo of a baby on a white blanket, or a bride glowing against a brilliant background. High key images have a bright, blown-out white background with minimal shadows. This makes gentle and uplifting portraits that convey a positive mood.
Professional studios often use high key techniques to shoot portraits, but we wanted to see if an amateur photographer could get a similar effect.
The Experiment: Can an amateur photographer take a high key photo?
We enlisted an amateur photographer with an entry-level DSLR camera (a Nikon D5000) and a basic external flash, and we gave her an assignment: using items from around the home, set up a makeshift studio to take high key portraits.
The Set-Up:
A window serves as a diffuse light source (the window is to the right, outside of the frame). Our amateur photographer used a lamp using a cold fluorescent lightbulb for a backlight, positioned at an angle to the window. Two white sheets serve as a backdrop.
You will need:
- A white backdrop: Our test shot was done against two white sheets tacked against a bookshelf, but anything white will do. For a smooth, seamless backdrop, professional muslin or paper comes in brilliant white.
- A large, diffuse light source: This makeshift studio is in a bright room with large, south-facing windows (the windows are to the right of photo, not shown). If the sunlight through the window creates harsh shadows, cover the window with a white curtain or sheet to diffuse the light.
- A backlight: an essential element of high key photography is a brightly illuminated background, so you will need a very strong light to blow out the shadows. In our sample setup, the lamp provides adequate light. For a better effect, a small studio light would put out brighter, whiter light.
- A good quality flash: Here’s where a small investment will really pay off. External flashes fit right over your camera’s hot shoe and provide stronger, better quality light than the in-camera flash.
- Editing software: Without expensive studio lighting, it will be difficult to capture high key images with just your camera. Our photographer found that edits were necessary to fix the white balance, enhance the exposure, and increase the brightness. Basic editing software is available free on the web; more comprehensive editing software is available at reasonable prices through London Drugs Computer Department.
Your high key photo shoot, step by step:
- Set up your studio space, including props, if you wish. Since our amateur photographer was shooting children, she used white stuffed animals that were close at hand.
- Opt for white or light-coloured clothing. High key photography minimizes contrast, so the clothing should not distract.
- Set your camera to save in JPEG + RAW. RAW files are like a digital negative, which means no processing or alterations are made by the camera’s software. You will likely have to alter your high key photos after you shoot, and RAW files are the best way to do this.
- Start shooting. Look for obvious shadows in the image and try to eliminate them by adjusting your light or your camera’s position. Your initial files will likely not have the full impact of a high key photo—you can easily fix this during photo editing.
- Edit on your computer. There are many good photo editing programs on the market. This photo was edited using Photoshop Elements by cropping, then adjusting the white balance, exposure, contrast, and clarity. The total edit time took about 10 minutes.
Another shot, a little more stylistic.
Finally, the lamp was swapped out for an entry level studio lighting kit, improving the backlighting. The following photo required very little editing.
Experimenting with high key photography can give you delightful portraits that are as unique as their subjects.
October is the perfect month to take family portraits, test photo editing, and create custom cards that will be ready in time for the holidays.
