High key... am I on the right track?

[tsanchez012]

Hello everyone! I haven't been around for a while - things have been CRAZY around here! Anywho - I have been interested in the high key effect for quite sometime and finally got around to trying it out. Here is a self portrait that I did and used photoshop to get the high key effect using curves.

I would really like to know if I am on the right track here. Any suggestions on how this can be better? Anything is appreciated and feel free to edit as much or as little as you like.

[LeeIs]

Hey,

i'm not sure about this one. it might have a high key feel but it also has an undesired sorta tint to it on my monitor. almost looks like a duotone. I thought high key should where mainly white, the white here isn't as pure. It also lacks the strong contrast and the deep blacks that high key shots have. Nice try though and keep on trying

I have never done any high key shots, so I don't have any tips on how to achieve it.

[jetrim]

Alison posted a great little how-to piece in viewfinder, but it's buried in the middle of one of the treads and I cant remember where. The basic idea was to convert the portrait to B&W then add a solid white layer on top. Use the eraser tool at varying opacities to erase the white and reveal the layer underneath, keeping it very strong at the eyes, jawline and hairline, and softer elsewhere. I've tried this and it comes out looking fantastic.

This one is heading in the right direction, but I don't think it's quite there yet. Did you apply "soft focus" as well? If so, I think it's washing it out a bit too much.

[shootme]

I like it very nice, though I'd crop more off on the left. I don't use PP much other than cropping and focus or colour boost so for the rest I can't comment. S

[TracerNH]

I haven't really done any high key photos, but I will give my thoughts on the photo.

It does have a color tinge on my monitor and I think the soft focus effect is a little overdone. I find it distracting how your left shoulder morphes into the background.

I like the gaze over your shoulder and the pose works for me.

Chris