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Canon DSLR Challenge | all galleries >> Challenge 62: Low light or low key (hosts: Victor Engel & Olaf.dk) >> Eligible > Sunset Silhouette *
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26-FEB-2006 Mikel Featherston

Sunset Silhouette *

La Jolla, CA

Canon EOS 20D ,Canon EF 28-70mm f/2.8L USM
1/3200s f/2.8 at 62.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Mikel Featherston28-Feb-2006 23:06
and another discussion:http://photoinf.com/General/NAVY/Contrast_and_Framing.htm
Mikel Featherston28-Feb-2006 23:05
here's one definition I've found:http://photography.about.com/library/glossary/bldef_lowkey.htm
Guest 28-Feb-2006 21:12
If it had been reversed, with the tones of the background where it is now black and black where it is now not, then we'd be talking low key for sure. If I say high key, what do you think? White or bright background! - right? Low key -> black or dark background, at least in my understanding.
Canon DSLR Challenge28-Feb-2006 20:48
Once I get a general verdict, I'll leave or scrap it, as needed. This was done deliberately with the challenge in mind, but I am not emotionally tied to the image. Now *this* one:http://mikel.oakmoon.net/gallery/olivia/Olivia_A_432 works for me, but is certainly not on topic.

Mikel
Guest 28-Feb-2006 10:25
OK, maybe not then!
A quick dig into definitions wasn't that helpful - but if (perhaps) the sun had not been in the picture (i.e. hidden by the subject) but the reflected light off the sea was still in the picture I think it would come close(r).
Like many topics, I think it's a little open to interpretation. While Victor's EV calculations cannot be disputed, I do think the definition of low-key is much more open.
Phil
Canon DSLR Challenge28-Feb-2006 02:30
Good question. Is a silhouette low key? I tend to think not, but this low key thing is new to me. It seems to me that a real low key image should have a subject whose range of brightnesses spans the lightness gamut, but with most of the histogram to the left. I think the background should be omitted in this determination. -- Victor
Canon DSLR Challenge28-Feb-2006 01:47
EV is 12.6
Guest 27-Feb-2006 11:32
Phil, I'm not so sure I agree about the sihouettes part. I have to ask, is this low-key?
Guest 27-Feb-2006 11:12
Silhouettes are surely perfect for this challenge, but I find this one confusing - I think it's because there are no definable facial features - such as a nose - and with the "big" hair it makes the balance all wrong. Perhaps if she's thrown her head back...
Phil