High Key Composite

[JMM]

How do you make the white background of a high key composite using PSPXI? I know how to select and paste, but what do you paste them to? Do you shoot a white background or do you paint the background?

Thanks,
Joyce

[J Eddington]

A high-key photo is basically white on white. You are basicly over exposing your background AND your subject. Exposing for this is fairly easy.

With an in camera meter, you can measure the light hitting a white area, and open up two stops - such as changing the aperture from ƒ11 to ƒ5.6.

You may have to adjust contrast or exposure in PS but not much.

Or maybe you are trying to take photo that you already have shot and give it a white background? Rather than a high key?

[JMM]

Hi Janice,
I am trying to take several high key photos that I have already taken and make a composite with them. One in the center and several smaller versions around. Being I did not shoot an extremely loose crop, I need a white background to start with. I just do not know how to start on the composite.

Thanks,
Joyce

[J Eddington]

Ok Highkey is not the issue. How to make a composite is what you need.

Determine the size of your finished photo. Create a NEW canvas in PS. (file new)Then open all of the photos that you want to use. Then drag them onto the New canvas. Each will be on a layer. You can click on the layer and move it around and use the eraser if needed to remove any part of the photo. After is looks the way you save it. I save one copy with the layers in case I change my mind. Then flatten a copy for printing.

[JMM]

Thank you. That was easy.

Joyce