super hi-key portrait...

Playing around with a new hi-key pencil portrait technique.

Thanks to Brian Duckett's tutorial for getting me started....
http://www.duckettphot​o.com/lessons/pencil/i​ndex.htm

I am happy with the results, but of course will improve with some practice.

Please leave me some comments, good, bad, etc...

If you do try the tutorial please post your results below as well...

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It looks good, maybe the hair is to dark, could of use more work there I think.

Thanks for the link, I would like to try this myself.

Not sure about this one....I don't care for the fade out around the ear and the overall dull appearance. Perhaps there isn't enough dark in the eyes to carry it for me...

Absolutely beautiful child with classic features.

I'm sorry but this one missed being a good portrait. It totally lacks contrast and needs to be 300% deeper. And hi-key portraits are never created as head & shoulders portraits. The whole idea of hi-key is to have the white clothing show against the white background. Please try again.

D. Craig Flory wrote in post #2216387
I'm sorry but this one missed being a good portrait. It totally lacks contrast and needs to be 300% deeper. And hi-key portraits are never created as head & shoulders portraits. The whole idea of hi-key is to have the white clothing show against the white background. Please try again.

I thought the definition of high-key said in part low contrast?

Hi-Key is most definitely not low contrast. But then, I've only been a pro portrait photographer for 40+ years.

D. Craig Flory wrote in post #2216387
And hi-key portraits are never created as head & shoulders portraits. The whole idea of hi-key is to have the white clothing show against the white background. Please try again.

I would have to disagree...I did a search for the definition of "hi-key photography" and came up with quite a few definitions but none mentioned white clothing or white backgrounds (although both may successfully be used to make a hi-key image). Below are just a few of the definitions I found....

Hi-Key: An image that is mainly made up of light tones, with relatively few mid-tones or shadows.

Hi-Key: A light image that is intentionally lacking in shawdow detail.

Hi-Key: In photography, lighting that produces tones that fall mostly between white and gray, with very few dark-gray or black tones.

...you get the idea. A hi key portrait isn't about the subject or how they are framed but it's more about the tones contained in the image. That's my take on it.

D. Craig Flory wrote in post #2216387
I'm sorry but this one missed being a good portrait. It totally lacks contrast and needs to be 300% deeper. And hi-key portraits are never created as head & shoulders portraits. The whole idea of hi-key is to have the white clothing show against the white background. Please try again.

Ok.

The original shot is from an available ligh candid photograh. It was severly altered within photoshop to get the results.

I mentioned I was using Brian Duckett's tutorial for getting me started....
http://www.duckettphot​o.com/lessons/pencil/i​ndex.htm

He refers to the technique as a pencil portrait. I used the term "hi-key pencil portrait" since I thought it seemed accurate.

Brian Duckett's tutorial starts with a rather professional portrait setup including a studio light a reflector and a flash aginst a white background. Since I lack this I just used a pleasant head and shoulders candid and photoshopped out the busy background.

As for the lack of contrast, I intentionly used heavy handed dodging to achieve the look, which was recomended in the tutorial. I may have softened the ears too much and the hair to little, this is my first attempt so hopefully I will improve. as you say "please try again"

I am sorry if I used Hi-Key in an improper context, perhaps you can suggest some more accurate vocabulary I may use in future posts reguarding this type of process.

Also I am not aware of what is meant by "300% deeper", could you please explain it? and also what I might need to do to achieve this? I assume it is a in camera technique? Or might I be able to get it through post processing as well?

Thanks Craig, and everyone for your comments and sugesstions.

Here is the original photo if anyone else wants to give it a try...

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Thank you for posting the original image. I thought you had started with a hi-key. Here is my version enhanced.

HTTP response: 404 | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Byte size: ZERO | PHOTOBUCKET ERROR IMAGE

Chris,
I really like the effect that Brian Duckett is showing - quite amazing actually. I think your basic problem may be the photo you're using. He started with a pretty clean hi-key and went from there. I think you're on the right track. I'll be interested in seeing what you can come up with. I like the effect well enough that I may see if I can find the ideal photo for it in my collection. I do like the hi-key to begin with and this is a nice twist on it.