In the beginning of this year, for some unexplainable reasons, I was really drawn towards high key shots. It was likely some creative mood swings for the artist within. Yeah, if I change my mind, I can always pin it to some creative license. So I did a few shoots with a high key approach, which was something fresh to me. When I shared my high key shots, I got a bunch of questions on how I accomplished them. I thought I should slow down my thought process and share my experience here.

Typically, high key shots are accomplished in a studio environment with a white backdrop. A couple of strobes are set to illuminate the background while a different set of lights control the exposure of the subject in the foreground.

My high key shots, however, are done with available light.

First, find a strong light source. My favourite is large window or glass panels. It’s even better if you can draw a layer of sheer material over it to soften it a touch. The exposure difference between the light outside and inside the room is probably 4 to 8 stops apart. This light source will the background of the photo.

Then I’ll expose for the subject inside the room. That may mean setting the camera at EV +4 or +5. I’ll keep chimping until I get the subjects are properly exposed. At times, I use a large reflector to bounce some light into the subjects. I’ve also use the Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe to illuminate the subjects when I needed more light. If you are at Aperture Priority, you should set a higher ISO so that you can still get usable shutter speed.

Thirdly, at that sort of exposure gap, the background will be whiteout. If you can get a white sheer layer draw over the windows, the whiteout background can be accomplished easily. If you have vibrant colors at the back, it is a lot harder. That’s why a lacy or white sheer material is very useful. The good news is this can be found in most modern homes.

Finally, lens choice. If we are using a window as the background, then a tele lens like 70-200 will be handy in isolating the background and framing our shoots without distractions.

Here are some photos from Adeline and Chuen Hau’s e-session. The first five shots were done inside their living room with a glass window. The sixth at a hotel’s lift lobby where I used a speedlight & softbox to bring out details in their faces. I hope this post is helpful. I’ll be sharing my lighting techniques at the Inspire+ Five-City Tour.

Marble floor is highly reflective. I was lying on the floor to get this shot.

And this was where we shot it. Window light from the background as the main light source. White walls and floors inside the room bounced lots of light back to the couple.

At a hotel’s lift lobby. Again, strong light from the window panels from the back as my background light. Main light is a SB800 in Lastolite Ezybox Hotshoe from top left.

Here are the rest of the images from the shoot.