High Key / Low Key
Objective
- Create compositions that exhibit characteristics of high key and low key values.
- Develop an understanding of how to control AND manipulate subjects and lighting to create high and low key images.
High and Low key presents a challenge that will push both your creative and technical skill set. Success will rely on an understanding of how, what, and why low or high key is unique.
Remember: All Epic Design Quests require documentation of your design process. Be sure you are very familiar with the design process before beginning any Epic Quest.
To begin this project now you may click Accept.
What are the artistic expressive effects possible by finding situations where the outcome is nearly all white or nearly all black? Can you produce full tonal range prints, which are very high key, but still include a small amount of shadow, while holding textural information in both the light and dark areas? Can you produce full tonal range prints which are very low key, but still include a small amount of white, while holding textural information in both the light and dark areas?
A second very important goal is to give us looking practice. To have an assignment changes our habits of looking and finding. We all need practice to notice, to perceive, and to respond…sketchbooks maybe?
- One final image showing use of Low Key values while effectively controlling detail
- One final image showing use of High Key values while effectively controlling detail
- Control exposure and subject matter to effectively execute these skills
- explore both natural light and artificial light to control your exposure
- Don’t forget that even with a challenging technical skill composition and creativity will make or break your final output.
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS & INSTRUCTION
Design Process STAGE 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM
What is High and Low Key photography
- What is the assignment?
- What must you learn or explore to be successful?
- What will be your personal challenges on this project?
Design Process STAGE 2: Research and Investigate
HIGH KEY SHOTS
The setting and subject will need to be light or reflective with a light or well-lighted background. Look for minimal well-placed shadows to accent and/or define the subject.
LOW KEY SHOTS
The setting and subject will need to be dark or shady with a dark or poorly lighted background. Look for a few well-placed highlights to accent and/or define the subject. Use one-third or one-half of your film.
Research thoroughly
- Resource/Research Topics
- How do you shoot it?
- What kind of subjects, scenes, or compositions should you pursue
- Does the time of day matter?
- What is the difference in challenges for creating the shot versus finding the shot?
- In your research show examples of at least two different type of COMPOSITIONS that photographers used this styling or technique with
Resource Starting Points:
- My Suggested resource sites
- High Key resources
- Low Key resources
Design Process STAGE 3: Generate Possible Solutions
Brainstorm ideas for visual imagery representing elements of your topic — Show your brainstorming as idea webs, clouds, lists, found imagery, small sketches of elements (at least 25 ideas, words, elements required)
THINGS TO CONSIDER
- Lighting styles and effects
- Environment
- When is low or high key effective?
- Why use low or high key techniques?
- How do you create subtle of minimal shadows or highlights?
NOW…
- Brainstorm what Time can look like
- Consider symbols
- Brainstorm varying techniques that could relate with Time
- Consider blur/blending/layering as techniques that could express YOUR concept
- Avoid the cliché use of clocks in your composition
Begin sketching thumbnail ideas for the organization of your composition.
- Sketch at least 3 completely different design solutions in your sketchbook.
- Thumbnail sketches should be about 4″ sketches in sketchbook
- Designs should be ORIGINAL though inspired!
- Consider possible color schemes that you can control
Design Process STAGE 4: Select and Develop Best Solution
Select the best solution
- notate why you have chosen it
- Finalize a new detailed sketch of best solutions
- sketch the composition of entire design plan
- Detail possible color schemes
- Document what Principles and Elements you will utilize
Design Process STAGE 5: Model and Prototype (Create)
Begin the shooting
- FINAL PRODUCT
Produce one final high key print with a very small amount of pure black and one final low key print with a vary small amount of white. Both prints should have all values represented. Both lights and darks should show details.Prints can be any proportion with any cropping. Dry mount or matte your best print for critique.
Design Process STAGE 6: Test and Evaluate
Self-reflect on your design
- Evaluate and develop your images
- Consider digital techniques to further develop your composition
- Do you need to reshoot?
- Reflect of how your composition and concept is developing into a final product.
- How could you take it further?
- Ask others for their opinions and document the suggestions whether you agree with them or not.
- Refine or develop elements of the design that can be improved
Design Process STAGE 7: Produce
Export and Turn in the final .JPG and Print
- Turn file into the Coulson’s server
- Get final printed and matted
- Finalize Project Page with full self-reflection
- successes
- struggles
- improvements
- what you learned
- Fill our grade sheet
COMPLETE: You need a fully finished project page included all scanned sketchbook work with captions. Turn your your finished artwork to the Captain’s Server. Finally Paste the URL to your project page below and you may then click complete.
Great Work Visitor.
Amazing work, Visitor.
Be Proud.
Go hang the finished piece on the Critique wall at the front of the classroom. Other’s need to see what you have accomplished.
- Matte or Mount for BONUS LOOT: Matte or Mount Bonus
BONUS Self Assessment Loot:
After completion of your project and project page documentation choose one of the appropriate self-assessments for yourself. Consider the skill, craftsmanship, originality, and composition of your final Product:
Over The Top Nailed It Good, But… At Least I Finished It