The Sunday Challenge - Get Personal!

No no, over exposure is only one tool to achieve the goal, especially used on still photography. Here's a short list what one tries to achieve, or as I think what high/low key photography is about:

High-key:
- Dark sharp shadows are your enemy. Get rid of the shadows by using light, and some more light!
- Avoid high contrasts.
- Use reflectors and diffusers to get the light evenly scattered around the setting.
- Utilize overcast weather when shooting out.
- Use and photograph items that are already light (color) because then the items work as reflectors themselves, diffusing the light around them.
- Consider over exposing because light meter easily gives you false results, confused by all the bright lights used =P
- If the camera software allows you to adjust in-camera contrast, then adjust it to very low contrast. Choose low contrast films on film cameras.
- On post processing (or in camera software) try using "softening techniques".

Low-key:
- Shadows are your friend! Let the darkness swallow the items on your setting.
- Seek high contrasts.
- Utilize sharp and narrow spotlights to pick up details.
- Use dark, black surfaces to avoid reflected light. Large white surfaces are your enemy! >=D
- Photograph items that are already dark in color.
- Consider under exposing because the light meter easily over exposes when shooting overly dark settings.
- If the camera software allows you to adjust in-camera contrast, then adjust it to very high contrast. Choose high contrast films on film cameras.

But to come up with something creative, break against these suggestions! =D

Love these beer steins. Such a great set up with the mirrored reflection. I didn't realise that some of them were musical. A lovely family treasure.

Perhaps not high key, but a lovely shot and story all the same! :)