Image Bank - High Key Lighting

High key lighting is primarily shot in a studio, whereby there is a white background and 4 lights all together (two of which shining onto the background, and the other two shining on the actual subject). This technique allows the photographer to shoot precise, and bright images of their subject. In the images, the background will be completely white and shadows will be very limited, but if there are any, they will be soft and subtle. Fashion and beauty photographers use this technique especially as it makes the models faces look soft, clean and flawless. However, this technique can also be used to shoot food or plants/flowers. Above, I have presented different ways of shooting with high key lighting, as well as coloured and black and white images. For instance, the second image is a mixture of coloured and black and white, as the models makeup is the only thing in colour. High key lighting has allowed the model in this picture to look faultless and have perfect soft skin. Likewise, the third image is coloured, but still gives that flawless finish due to the lighting. Also, this image is an example of the fact that more than the models face can be shot in this way, as the models shoulders are in the photograph as well.