Basic Photography Course

PH2 Neil Crews

302.301

LOW- AND HIGH-KEY SCENES.

When a

scene contains mostly dark tones or colors, it is low key
(fig. 5-17). When the scene contains mostly light tones,
it is high key (5-18). Low-key and high-key pictures
convey mood and atmosphere. Low key often suggests
seriousness and mystery and is often used in horror
pictures, such as a dark-granite castle in a thunderstorm.
High key creates a feeling of delicacy and lightness. A
photograph of a fair-skinned, blond-haired mother
dressed in a white gown against a light background
nursing her baby is a good subject for a high-key picture.

HIGH- AND LOW-KEY COLORS.

High-key

color pictures contain large areas of light desaturated
colors (pastels) with very few middle colors or shadows.
Intentionally overexposing color film (exposing for the
shadows) helps to create a high-key effect.

A low-key effect is created when the scene is

dominated by shadows and weak lighting. Low-key
pictures tend to have large areas of shadow, few
highlights, and degraded colors. Naturally dark subjects
are best for low-key pictures. Low-key color pictures
can be induced by exposing color film for the highlights.

FRAMING

Framing is another technique photographers use to

direct the viewer's attention to the primary subject of a
picture. Positioned around the subject, a tree, an

archway, or even people, for example, can create a frame
within the picture area. Subjects enclosed by a frame
become separated from the rest of the picture and are
emphasized. Looking across a broad expanse of land or
water at some object can make a rather dull uninteresting
view. Moving back a few feet and framing the object
between trees improves the composition.

An element used as a frame should not draw

attention to itself. Ideally, the frame should relate to the

theme of the picture; for example, a line of aircraft
parked on the flight line framed by the wing and prop of

another aircraft.

Not only is framing an effective means of directing

the viewer's attention, it can also be used to obscure
undesirable foregrounds and backgrounds. The illusion
of depth can be created in a picture by the effective use
of framing (fig. 5-19).

5-20

contents

Basic Photography Course

<- previous page

next page ->


DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> Figure 5-17.Low-key scene. PH2 Neil Crews 302.301 LOW- AND HIGH-KEY SCENES. When a scene contains mostly dark tones or colors, it is low key (fig. 5-17). When the scene contains mostly light tones, it is high key (5-18). Low-key and high-key pictures convey mood and atmosphere. Low key often suggests seriousness and mystery and is often used in horror pictures, such as a dark-granite castle in a thunderstorm. High key creates a feeling of delicacy and lightness. A photograph of a fair-skinned, blond-haired mother dressed in a white gown against a light background nursing her baby is a good subject for a high-key picture. HIGH- AND LOW-KEY COLORS. High-key color pictures contain large areas of light desaturated colors (pastels) with very few middle colors or shadows. Intentionally overexposing color film (exposing for the shadows) helps to create a high-key effect. A low-key effect is created when the scene is dominated by shadows and weak lighting. Low-key pictures tend to have large areas of shadow, few highlights, and degraded colors. Naturally dark subjects are best for low-key pictures. Low-key color pictures can be induced by exposing color film for the highlights. FRAMING Framing is another technique photographers use to direct the viewer's attention to the primary subject of a picture. Positioned around the subject, a tree, an archway, or even people, for example, can create a frame within the picture area. Subjects enclosed by a frame become separated from the rest of the picture and are emphasized. Looking across a broad expanse of land or water at some object can make a rather dull uninteresting view. Moving back a few feet and framing the object between trees improves the composition. An element used as a frame should not draw attention to itself. Ideally, the frame should relate to the theme of the picture; for example, a line of aircraft parked on the flight line framed by the wing and prop of another aircraft. Not only is framing an effective means of directing the viewer's attention, it can also be used to obscure undesirable foregrounds and backgrounds. The illusion of depth can be created in a picture by the effective use of framing (fig. 5-19). 5-20 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
	WWW.DOFMASTER.COM © 2006 Don Fleming. All rights reserved.