Creating High Key Images
With Photoshop

High key images - you've probably seen them and maybe even wondered "how the heck do they do that"?

I was wondering the same thing but didn't know what they were called so I had no idea what search term to use.

Once I knew what these compelling and dramatic images were called then there was no problem finding out how to create them from my own images.

Methods

There are many, many different methods to create high key images so I had to sift through them all to find the technique I felt produced the best results.

This is the technique that is presented here and it will only work with the full versions of Photoshop. You Photoshop Elements users will find a method that will work for you in the Elements section of this site.

Unfortunately, I have no idea where I found it so I have no idea who to credit for this technique.

This is the image I chose for this technique. Most high key images are applied to portraits and this one is no different. I found the original photograph at Stock Exchange.

Near the bottom of the page you can see the same technique applied to my new puppy, Tabitha.

Original	High Key

The Steps

The end results of this technique are really a personal preference. What looks great to me may not be to your liking.

One thing is absolutely true - these images are always dramatic and you will receive positive comments about your creation.

1. Open your image in Photoshop. It's a good idea to Duplicate your original image (Image > Duplicate) and close the original because this technique makes dramatic changes

2. Convert the image to Black and White. You can use Desaturate, Grayscale, Channel Mixer or Duotones. I recommend using the Grayscale command because you can use the History Brush to correct any errors and to do some other really neat things.

3. Open the curves dialogue (Image > Adjustments > Curves) or

   Curves Adjustment

   Cmd-M/Ctrl-M. Click on the diagonal line close to the top of the dialog box and move the line up towards the top of the box. This will lighten up the overall image. When you like what you see - stop and click OK.

4. You can play around with the Brightness and Contrast as well if you wish to fine tune the image (Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast). This is not a necessary step - remember that the end result will be different for everyone depending on their personal view.

5. Take a snapshot of the image at this point. You take a snapshot of your work by clicking on the little camera at the bottom of the History palette. If the History palette is not visible then click on Window > History.

   History Palette

6. Use Unsharp Mask (Filter > Sharpen >Unsharp Mask) set up to 500, click OK and take another snapshot.

7. Now for the tricky part. You have two snapshots of the original image with one of them desaturated and lightened and another one just the same that has been sharpened at the top of the history palette.
   Check the box to the left of the first snapshot you took and select the second snapshot.

8. Select the History Brush and sharpen the eyes and lips of your original snapshot to make them pop out.

9. In this step you will use the Dodge Tool (D) to remove all or some of the background to taste. Adjust the opacity to achieve the effect you want.

10. If the hair in your picture is still too dark then lower the opacity of the Dodge Tool and lighten the hair.

11. Re-do Curves if you feel the need to lighten the image any further. The end result will always be a personal preference.

12. An optional step is to add some grain Filter > Texture > Grain or mess about with some of the other filters to see what happens.

That is pretty much the method to creating those amazing high key images in Photoshop.

Remember - the end results of following these steps will likely be different for everyone. You do it to your personal taste.

Have fun with it ...

Original	High Key