Annie

First of all, I am happy to see you active here again.

I have a small, ongoing portrait project and I have processed about 50 of them.

Now, after seeing your approach here, I have started to think about re-processing them to B&W, instead of color.

I especially liked the "natural" look here, which is surely reached by skilled editing.

Is it considered "high-key" or you just do not need a term to describe it?

Strangely enough, her look makes me smile as if we are facing each other!

Hi Bulent:

This is not really high key but rather a step in that direction from "normal". Take a look at Howard Dion's portfolio here on Pnet. Howard's work is full spectrum but his portraits stand out with a signature look that I think of as adding by subtracting.

Annie is my sister and this came out of a shoot for her business' headshot. The version she will use is color and bit softer. (I'll attach.)

What I've found is that most people want their own portraits in color. In my view, color is often a distraction from the line and form of people's faces but portraits are rarely for the photographer. If your portrait work is intended for the subject, stick with color. If the work is for you, try B&W as an alternative.

Thanks very much for your response and the valuable advice.

My project is mostly for myself and I will seriously consider re-processing all the files.

I can not explain the reason why but, for me, your sister has more presence (no semantics, please!) in the B&W one.

I will not be ashamed at all if this view has no solid foundation and if it only reflects my personal bias!

Finally, many thanks also for introducing me to the works of Howard Dion; now I have hours to spent browsing thorough his photos :)