Above are two very different portraits. The top one is a low key portrait. The second is a high key portrait. Can you explain the differences?

Low Key Portraits

Here is a link to tough guy actor Humphrey Bogart, and other low key photo examples.

Low key portraits are very dark, and contrasty, contain dramatic shadows, yet you can still see highlights. They are not just an underexposed photo. They can be very serious and sometimes humourous. They were very popular in the early to mid 20th century when film noir was in vogue.

Here is a link to some basic instructions from Tutsplus.com.

Here is a great video from the Slanted Lens on low key portraits.

Here is a second video from Adorma TV, an America photo store. They also produce many how to photography videos.

High Key Portraits

High key portraits are the opposite of low key photos. They are soft, sometimes fantasy-based and generally very light. Often, they are used in fashion and some commercials. Ideally no colour or shade should be darker than middle grey, except for pupils in the eyes.

Here is a link to other examples of high key photos.

High key photos are not over exposed. You can see some dark tones. To learn how to make high key photos, here are a couple of links.

1. A how to high key description from Digital Photo School.

2. High Key from Adorama TV. There is also a useful Photoshop technique on how to get rid of reflections in glasses.

3. A second video from Ottawa based photographer Denis Rule. The high key section starts at the 2 minute mark and runs until the 4:50 mark. There are a couple of interesting sections that follow.

Your Assignment

Remember to complete the questions for A level at the end.

Using the studio and natural light, create a series of high and low key photos. This is both an individual and group project. Group as in you shoot with partners and hand in your own individual photos.

1. Watch the videos, read the instructions and write you proposal. One proposal per 2 people.

2. Assemble you team, book the studio, sign out the studio camera and take you photos.

3. Sign out a camera and scout the school for high key and low key locations where you can use natural or ambient light. Please note the background should be plain.

Studio Photos

Take 30 or more photos of, 15 should be low key, the other 15 should be high key. Please have a mix of male and females. Hand in your best 6 – 3 high key and low key females and 3 high key and low key males.

Use at least 2 different lighting techniques – you can use more – that best suits your subjects face.

Natural Light Portraits

Take 30 or more photos of, 15 should be low key, the other 15 should be high key. Please have a mix of male and females. Hand in your best 4 – 2 females and 2 males.

Use at least 2 different lighting techniques – you can use more – that best suits your subjects face.

Post Processing

Use Photoshop to edit all the photos you hand in.

High key link.

Low key link -- I can't find one that I like. If you can, please let me know and I will insert it.

Ensure your name is added on a text layer then hand them in through Google Classroom.

You will hand in 12 photos:

6 studio photos

4 natural light photos

2 of you favourite converted to black and white -- Wait until the black and white lesson in Photoshop

A Level

Answer all five (5).

1. After studying and taking both high key and low key, which do you prefer for portraits? Give 2 reasons why.

2. What is the emotional (hidden) or meaning or message of a high key shot?

3. What is the hidden (emotional) meaning or message do you associate with low key photos?

4. Which do you prefer for high key, black and white or colour? Give one reason why

5. Which do you prefer for low key, black and white or colour. Give one reason why.