Attempting High Key Processing

[KatMitchell]

Ok, so I have been running into a lot of high key processing on kid shots and I really wanted to try it.. Not sure how I did.. I shot these in bright daylight, but other than that, the highkey part is from the processing, not a studio set up. These are outdoor shots.. Just wanting to get some opinions. I had a few spots from the sensor I had to clean up on the white area and on the tummy.
Does anyone still see those ? ALL CC Welcome..

Thanks

Kat

Even though the shirt is up I had to keep this one... It captured his playfulness.
He was being a stinker on purpose... it was cute..






This shot, I was trying to capture a serious and mature look and put the focus more on the eyes, as suggested by you guys... Am I getting any better ? It is so difficult with his huge dark eyes.. Not sure on the crop for this one either..
I took everyone's advice and used the reflectors with the on board flash forced off to get better reflection in the eyes.. Any better ?

[DJM]

the first one is cute but the second one is cool not liking the crop i am a stickler on cutting parts of a person off. the eyes in the second are great much better!

[KatMitchell]

Thanks Derek... I was hoping the eyes were coming out better... Can you show me an example of the crop you are talking about ?

Thanks,

~ Kat

[DJM]

sure can this is a perfect shot for a square crop ill post one for ya

[KatMitchell]

Thank You..

[swampler]

I may be totally off base, but I thought High Key was just white on white, not necessarily over expose everything on the screen, which is the feeling I get looking at these. Then again, it's late and my eyes are tired, so apologies if I'm off base.

High Key Imaging

[DJM]

you are correct swampler

[KatMitchell]

Originally Posted by swampler

I may be totally off base, but I thought High Key was just white on white, not necessarily over expose everything on the screen, which is the feeling I get looking at these. Then again, it's late and my eyes are tired, so apologies if I'm off base.

High Key Imaging

I have heard arguments on a lot of photo boards as to the exact definition. However, I am just going off of what everyone else is calling this process. For instance, in my onone photo tools program this is called highkey and since it is the process I used from that program, I called it that. Also, you will notice my posting up top where I said this is not true in studio high key lighting set up, but rather just a "processing" that is called highkey and is supposed to look like it..

Kat

[DJM]

here is a crop and a few minor tweeks

[KatMitchell]

Thanks Derek.. I really like that crop..!!!

Did you boost the contrast ? What tweaks did you make ?

I sure appreciate the help.

Kat

[DJM]

i dodged and burned then i cleaned up around his eyes and nose. i may have bumped the levels a bit

[diegom75]

I like both shots a lot, and you now Kat, I'm a fan of high key. These shots are both on the high end of the high key, especially the second one, I like your crop. I don't know if I would allow the face to be blended with the BG, maybe just a tad darker so we know were it finishes. Anyway I think these are really successful conversions. Take care!

[KatMitchell]

Thank you for the kind and helpful words Diego. I will look into bringing back some detail on the face to give it separation from the background.

~ Kat

[KatMitchell]

Originally Posted by DJM

i dodged and burned then i cleaned up around his eyes and nose. i may have bumped the levels a bit

Thanks Derek.. I was wondering if you had bumped the levels..

Appreciate the help

Kat

[tbnj]

Hi, Kat. I like this look for certain images. I posted something similar on here of my daughter once.

The processing on the first is working for me, but I'd like to see more definition along his jaw and chin in the second one and also cropped just a touch lower.

Obviously, just my opinion.

[transcape5]

Well, who can argue when Mom wants to keep a shot?
The first one is definitely cute. I can see the smile in his face. I think the expression may have shown better from a higher angle though that may not have been possible if he was standing up on a playset while you were on the ground. That's what I'm picturing anyway. On the second shot I agree with Tina regarding a lower crop with his chin included. There's an introspective look to this one.