Techniques: High Key Lighting: Work Diary Evaluation -

Low Key Lighting- 

Equipment Used: 
Canon EOS 450D, standard lens, key light, reflector wall and reflector dish. 

Settings: 
1/125, F/8 ISO 200.

Lighting: 
Key light. 

Theory: 
N/A

Favourite:

This image is a personal favourite of mine due to the effect of the lighting on both the backdrop and subject. The costume of the subject works well as a direct contrast to the bright backdrop. Additionally, the composition is well balanced within the rule of thirds compositional grid with the model in the centre vertical column meaning that the viewers attention is immediately taken to the subject. Furthermore, the props used are creative and challenge the norms of portrait photography which is an ideology often present within high fashion photography. 

Least Favourite:

The above photograph is my least favourite due to the off centre alignment of the subject, which was an aesthetic choice that I later disliked, the lack of conviction in the pose from the model in that the body movements are very soft when I intended for them to be angular and use the negative space more interestingly. Despite this, the background and lighting is again successful in this image. 

Evaluation and Development - 

This series is successful in exemplifying the possibilities of a well planned shoot that utilises the high fashion lighting set up that is high key lighting. The bright background is simplistic and well compliments a singular subject. 

This is a technique that I may use as the studio setting is often used in fashion related photoshoots. It also well compliments certain items of clothing and is good at providing dramatic contrasts to some images. I am unsure where exactly this technique would fit within a shoot except for another shoot based upon masks that I have already considered adapting to fir with location portraiture. 

Techniques: High Key Lighting: Straight Images -

High Key Lighting - 

High Key Lighting:

Techniques: High Key Lighting: Image Bank -

High Key Lighting - 

Defintions:

• High Key Lighting: Modern lighting technique that is based on using mid-tone greys through to bright whites. The use of bright white lighting  helps to to eliminate shadow and reduce the contrasts in the photograph. 
• Key Light: Main light used in the shot; usually a fill light.
• Beauty Dish: A circular dish which is flexible to have either white or silver inside. White is more diffused and silver is more directional.
• Diffusion Sock: Can be placed over the batty dish to diffuse the light more equally rather than being direct.
• Honeycomb Grid: Restricting the spread of the light evening in the image.
• Colour Gel: A filter placed over the light to give colour to he image. Often complimentary colours are used such as blue and orange to create an intriguing atmosphere.
• Fill Light: Fills in the shadows of the image.
• Back Light/ Clip Light: Lighting behind the subject aimed towards the model to raise the subject away from the backdrop.
• Diffusion Filter: Lens filter placed on the camera lens to diffuse the lighting further.
• Lighting Diagram: A diagram displaying the lighting setup to make note of layout and techniques used.

Layout:

 

Skills:

• Measure light with light metre, with intention to have more light on backdrop than foreground.
• To do this you can set the key light (main light) on the subject to F/8.
• The light on the backdrop will be set to F/11 or F/16 which is one stop, two stops higher than the foreground.

Examples:

(Richard Avedon)

(Rankin)

(Rankin)

(Unknown)

(James Nader)