I will be explaining what high key and low key images are in photography and how to achieve the desired effect with your camera.
In simple terms white on white is high key, while black on black is low key.
High Key Image
The high key image will have low contrast, a controlling white color and minimal shadows. The high key image conveys happiness, cleanness, purity, and positive emotions.
Low Key Image
The low key image will have high contrast, a controlling black color, very hard contour lines, and strong highlights. The low key image conveys drama, mystery, and tension.
Capturing a High Key Image
To create a high key or low key image on your camera, you will need to put your camera in manual mode. In manual mode, you will be able to increase or decrease your exposure so that the image is under exposed (low key) or over exposed (high key). The key is to look at your camera’s histogram (shows you the dynamic range of the photo) to make sure that the light in the photo is at the very high range of lightness or very low range of lightness, without being over exposed or under exposed.
High Key Image with Histogram
As you can see in the top right corner, the colors are all located on the 1/3 area closest to the right of the histogram. There is no warnings about the picture being over exposed. This image was captured outside in the daytime, with white paper for a background. I made sure to take the photo when the sun was hiding behind some clouds, so that the shadows wouldn’t be too harsh.
Low Key Image with Histogram
As you can see in the top right corner, the colors are all located on the 1/3 area closest to the left of the histogram. There is no warnings about the picture being under exposed. This photo was taken outside during the day, with black paper for a background. I made sure to take this photo when the sun was out, so their would be harsh shadows.
I hope you where able to understand the differences of high key and low key photography after reading this post, and are able to shoot your own photos with these techniques!