Low Key vs. High Key

We all love a black and white image. The mood, the feeling, the nostalgia...but did you know that black and white images generally fall into two categories? You can present your B&W photo as a high key photo or a low key photo. But what is the difference? In easy terms, low key means lower contrast and mostly dark and high key means higher contrast and mostly bright. But why do we have these two types of B&W photos? What do they do? In this particular case high key and low key effect the mood of the photos...the feeling it gives off. Low key is darker, usually a moodier and more dramatic image. While high key is brighter and airier, more open and more fun. 

Assignment:
For this assignment you will photograph 50 digital frames with high key and low key B&W images in mind. During the shoot you'll want to consider what mood you are going for because that will dictate how you light and expose the image. If low key is moody and high key is more airy then consider not only your subject while you are shooting but also your lighting and camera settings. Some of this can be done after the fact with your editing in photoshop, and some has to be done in camera while you are shooting. You are showing me equal high key and low key photographs for this assignment. It may take two separate shoots with different ideas in mind. 

Steps:
• Check out these 2 resources on low key photography (article #1, article #2)
• Check out this resource on high key photography
• Portraits work well for this project but really any subject works
• You do not need to show the same object as high key and low key, the subject you photograph may dictate the mood you are going for
• When you are focused on low key, be sure to have a darker background and expose it a little below what the light meter asks for.
​• When you are exposing for high key, make sure to have a brighter background and expose maybe a little bit higher than the light meter dictates