High-key tutorial
Tuesday, 14 March 2006
I received an e-mail asking me how I did the white, bleached-out looking images. I’m certainly not the first to produce images like this, but the technique is something I just evolved myself while trying to find the style I liked.
So, how did I make this image?
It starts with this image… relatively even and soft lighting are important.
Next convert it to greyscale using your favourite method. I use a channel mixer with emphasis on the red and green channels to keep the skin tones light.
If the lighting is a bit uneven then use your favourite dodge/burning method to even out the tones.
Now, the bright white effect, done with a curve adjustment layer. The exact shape of the curve will depend on your image, and it will take some fine-tuning to get the effect you want, but start with something like this:
Again, you may have to do some more subtle dodge/burning in order to even out the tones. If you have any areas that are brighter than the rest of the image, they will bleach-out first, and you’ll need to darken them a bit so you can lighten the whole image up. You should get something looking like this:
Ta-da!
Tangle
Available prints: 8×12, 12×18, or 24×36
No. 1 — March 28th, 2006 at 12:19 pm
Alex
I am an architect. Your work is architecturally beautiful. Thanks a lot for sharing them with us. I will keep an eye on you with pleasure.
No. 2 — March 29th, 2006 at 2:02 am
great tutorial. thanks.
No. 3 — March 8th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Thanks ever so much for this. I am in the process of setting up a studio in my home, and would like to specialise in high and low key work, this has helped me a lot.
Tnanks again
Glenn
No. 4 — March 30th, 2007 at 9:11 am
That´s cool, great tutorial! Thanks a lot!
No. 5 — March 26th, 2008 at 3:28 am
Hi Alex! Thank you for your tutorial
I found it simple, clear and useful! Have a nice day. Martina
No. 6 — January 2nd, 2009 at 11:52 am
[…] contrast in the light, making the light really bright and the background really dark. I used this High-key tutorial | Alex Wilson Photography to guide my efforts ~Eric __________________ __________________ Members don’t see this […]
No. 7 — January 3rd, 2009 at 10:46 pm
[…] contrast in the light, making the light really bright and the background really dark. I used this High-key tutorial | Alex Wilson Photography to guide my efforts […]
No. 8 — November 6th, 2009 at 9:28 am
[…] Pale desaturated skin retouch http://alexwilsonphoto.com/blog/2006…-key-tutorial/ Maybe less […]