PS: High Key

***Dave*** · 05-10-2005, 21:22

The following guide will take you through the steps required for achieving a "high key" photo. The following example started as an ISO1600 colour shot that was a bit flat, ending up a B&W high key shot that has been processed finally by "neat image" to reduce noise.

STEP 1 - Correct Levels. Convert to B&W (can be omitted if colour high key)
Most simple step for most shots. Choose "Image" -> "Adjustments" -> "Auto Levels" . Use just Levels if more experience or result from Auto not as expected. In this example the shot became a lot more vibrant & contrast improved.
There are numerous ways to convert to B&W, but for this example I used "Image" -> "Adjustments" -> "Channels", ensuring "Mono" is ticked at bottom. Play with levels until you get a result you are happy with. You can go over 100% total for desired result.

STEP 2 - Create base High Key effect
Using "Image" -> "Adjustments" -> "Curves" , drag the top right part of line upwards & to left until you get the base effect you are after. Some people like pure whites on majority of face with only eyes & mouth showing....others a more subtle approach. Have a play.

STEP 3 - Refine Shadows & Highlights
Using the "Burn" & "Dodge" tools, ensure you start with "Shadows" & "Highlights" respectively in the "Range" field, with an "Exposure" of 10%. Aim here is to darken prominent features of face such as eyebrows, edge of eyes, pupil, outline of tip of nose & nostrils, plus lips etc. You can also lighten white of eyes & any other distracting features

The final step I took was to run photo through "Neat Image" product (free to download) due to noise of original shot. Note I had resized shot to 500 pixels which creates a more dramatic effect in neat image. From memory I had "smoothing" at around 50-60% & "sharpening" to 30%. Anyway that's another subject for someone else to explain

High Key effect is very personal & as such some people love it , whilst others hate it. Best bet is to have a play & come up with something you like. Have fun

DaveG · 05-10-2005, 22:39

Thanks Dave, will definately give this a try.

Would you mind if this was added to the tutorial forum? I think it would be useful to have a copy there too.

milou · 05-10-2005, 23:00

Aye - nice one!

KenCo1964 · 06-10-2005, 08:22

Excellent, many thanks for sharing.
Ken.

***Dave*** · 06-10-2005, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveG

Thanks Dave, will definately give this a try.

Would you mind if this was added to the tutorial forum? I think it would be useful to have a copy there too.

No probs where it is :icon_cool

Matty · 06-10-2005, 18:14

i will copy any tutorials to the Tuturials forum, you can carry on the discussion here then, ok?

Thanks for sharing these Dave, its very much appreciated!

SammyC · 10-10-2005, 11:18

Tried this technique, quite pleased with the results:

***Dave*** · 10-10-2005, 11:59

Hey, like it !!!. For the final touches either bleach out distractions such as line & circles above head (or tighter crop) & possibly artifacts on bottom left.

05-10-2005, 21:22	#1 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,659	PS: High Key The following guide will take you through the steps required for achieving a "high key" photo. The following example started as an ISO1600 colour shot that was a bit flat, ending up a B&W high key shot that has been processed finally by "neat image" to reduce noise. STEP 1 - Correct Levels. Convert to B&W (can be omitted if colour high key) Most simple step for most shots. Choose "Image" -> "Adjustments" -> "Auto Levels" . Use just Levels if more experience or result from Auto not as expected. In this example the shot became a lot more vibrant & contrast improved. There are numerous ways to convert to B&W, but for this example I used "Image" -> "Adjustments" -> "Channels", ensuring "Mono" is ticked at bottom. Play with levels until you get a result you are happy with. You can go over 100% total for desired result. STEP 2 - Create base High Key effect Using "Image" -> "Adjustments" -> "Curves" , drag the top right part of line upwards & to left until you get the base effect you are after. Some people like pure whites on majority of face with only eyes & mouth showing....others a more subtle approach. Have a play. STEP 3 - Refine Shadows & Highlights Using the "Burn" & "Dodge" tools, ensure you start with "Shadows" & "Highlights" respectively in the "Range" field, with an "Exposure" of 10%. Aim here is to darken prominent features of face such as eyebrows, edge of eyes, pupil, outline of tip of nose & nostrils, plus lips etc. You can also lighten white of eyes & any other distracting features The final step I took was to run photo through "Neat Image" product (free to download) due to noise of original shot. Note I had resized shot to 500 pixels which creates a more dramatic effect in neat image. From memory I had "smoothing" at around 50-60% & "sharpening" to 30%. Anyway that's another subject for someone else to explain High Key effect is very personal & as such some people love it , whilst others hate it. Best bet is to have a play & come up with something you like. Have fun __________________

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05-10-2005, 22:39	#2 (permalink)
DaveG Been here a while Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 262	Thanks Dave, will definately give this a try. Would you mind if this was added to the tutorial forum? I think it would be useful to have a copy there too.

05-10-2005, 23:00	#3 (permalink)
milou Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 583	Aye - nice one!

06-10-2005, 08:22	#4 (permalink)
KenCo1964 Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Co. Durham England Posts: 1,069	Excellent, many thanks for sharing. Ken.

06-10-2005, 18:14	#6 (permalink)
Matty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: kings hill Posts: 5,269	i will copy any tutorials to the Tuturials forum, you can carry on the discussion here then, ok? Thanks for sharing these Dave, its very much appreciated!

10-10-2005, 11:18	#7 (permalink)
SammyC Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bristol Posts: 1,466	Tried this technique, quite pleased with the results:

10-10-2005, 11:59	#8 (permalink)
*Dave* Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 14,659	Hey, like it !!!. For the final touches either bleach out distractions such as line & circles above head (or tighter crop) & possibly artifacts on bottom left.