Part One - Guidelines for Good Composition
by Chuck Gardner
High Key - Make the center of interest the darkest object the frame:
The opposite applies for a high key subject (i.e., light background / dark subject) where the subject should be the darkest object and the rest of the frame very light so as not to compete for the viewers attention. You can control the relative brightness of the center of interest using the position and strength of the main or "key" light and how the subject is posed.  For example, when the key light falls on the front of the face, with the
side of the camera facing the camera in shadow, (i.e., short lighting) the eye is
immediately drawn to the front of the face and the subject's eyes.
But if the key light illuminates the side of the face facing the camera (i.e., broad lighting) the object with the most light brightest lit is invariably the subject's ear and the front of the face is in shadow. It is illustrated only so you'll know to avoid it. Goto Next Page > Goto < Previous Page Goto Class Outline Goto super.nova.org my home page. |