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High-Key Photography Explained (Wiildlife and Beyond)

Wildlife Inspired w/ Scott Keys

13,447 views

High-key photography isn’t just for studios. See how it works in wildlife and when bright, minimal images tell stronger stories.

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20 Comments

@lloydstuartm.d.5625 2 months ago

Brilliant video. I wish I saw this before I went to Africa. Zepbras and Elephants look great in high-key. I way over exposed the shots on purpose and I was disappointed in the results. I didn't want to rely too much on post processing but after watching your video I saw my mistakes. Thanks so much - high key is not as easy as I thought it would be! Can't wait to watch the rest of your videos. Bravo!

@josevdsluis 3 weeks ago

Een duidelijke uitleg, dank je wel!

@richardreinitz3045 3 weeks ago

Very well done. Thank you

@toriw3372 3 months ago

Excellent teaching, thank you

@birdnerdmarkphotos 8 months ago

Really appreciate the shout out! This video has me wanting to experiment more and get out of my comfort zone in the field

@JBHaber 5 months ago

Took about 9 minutes to get to the good stuff (IMO) but man-o-man am I glad that I stuck around. The video really contained some good tips for this bird photographer and artist. I’ll definitely give your techniques and suggestions a try. Nice job.

@KZMPDG203 7 months ago

Outstanding video! So helpful to better understand high key photography.

@larrycitra300 8 months ago

As photographic artists, I have to agree with Scott … it’s ultimately the feeling you get when viewing an image that is most important!

@viviencheng5593 4 months ago

Fantastic video

@BrianScherf 8 months ago

Wow! Another great video. I liked how you discussed the concepts, gave beautiful examples, showed a basic edit & gave a good summary of what you discussed. Excellent!

@LauraWeaver-u8s 8 months ago

This video really "highlights" the high key style of photography. Excellent educational content and I always walk away with a wealth of knowledge from Scotts videos

@SomeonewithaSony 8 months ago

Absolutely love shooting high key. Fantastic images presented here.

@uaebifvideo5472 8 months ago

This was a master class, Scott!!Thank you!!.

@jonbreitenbucher 8 months ago

Thanks for highlighting my photo as an example of high key with color and use of negative space. After the assignment I went back and found some other images that I hadn’t known what to do with and they look amazing when processed as high key.

@DeanBaumeister 8 months ago

Utterly delightful images from your Patreon community members! And of course your images are always great to see as well. Your image of the Northern Harrier kind of knocked my socks off; everything in the frame is monochrome—except for the eyes! Don't know if you did that in post or if just turned out that way. Either way, fantastic image!

@seekerm8349 8 months ago

Wow! Now I am inspired to take on high key bird images. Wonderful images shown here and well presented. Will also check out your low key images video. Thank you.

@neilcole3406 8 months ago

Loved your photos Scott!

@Kellysher 8 months ago

YES this! I really want to learn more about the art of wildlife photography. I love your comments that there are no rules. I want my photography to evoke a feeling. I’m really interested on applying artistic principles to my photography. Even if I intentionally break the rules. Cropping, composition, behavior, small in frame, high and low key. Please more on wildlife photography as art!

@michaelknibbs 8 months ago (edited)

I really liked lifting the shadows in both the Skimmer and Tern photos. But, for the tern photo, I might have masked the head and feet. I find that the soft, high-key look can benefit from the surprise element of color. I do this sometimes with monochrome images. I had a very flat field monochrome edit of a Western Bleeding Heart with raindrops. The pattern was lovely, but leaving just a single small flower on 2/3 axis in the original pale lilac color was the kicker. That said, I might prefer the 'all white' tern on my wall - it ticks the 'art' boxes. I too loved the Ibis on the curved tree branches.
I really enjoyed this. I have a tendency to darken OOF backgrounds to make subjects 'pop'. But this makes me want to consider 'Going towards the light'! Thank you, Scott.