A Simple Approach to a High-Key Portrait

September 08, 2019  •  Leave a Comment

high-key portrait using 60 inch umbrellaA high-key self-portraitThis dead-simple high key portrait was achieved with a 60" umbrella and a couple of reflectors.   high-key portrait using an umbrellaBlack and white high-key self portraitBlack and white high-key self portrait using a 60" umbrella and a couple reflectors.

This is not an elaborate tutorial - you don't need a lot to accomplish this, and this post won't talk about editing or lightroom settings. 

If you have a large umbrella with a diffuser, you can accomplish a really decent high-key head shot portrait. in this self portrait, I'm using a 60" umbrella with a diffuser and a flashpoint studio 400, which is obscured by my body and head.  In front of me to the right is the silver side of a  5 in 1 reflector on a stand, and to the left, a rectangular piece of foam core on a stand, pictured here:

You can achieve some interesting catch-light effects depending on how close or far apart you put the reflectors.  You may want to try this with symmetrical reflectors - two rectangles or v-flats I think would be ideal.

Leave a message if you've used this method, or with other ideas.

Thanks for stopping by!


Comments

No comments posted.
Loading...

Archive
January February March April May (2) June (1) July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August (1) September (2) October (1) November (1) December
January February March April May June July August (1) September October November December
January February March (2) April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December
January February March April May June July August September October November December