Tonality: Mid Key {Week 29}

This week we continue to experiment with tone and mood in our compositions. While high key images are created with bright light tones and low key photographs rely on shadowy dark tones, mid key images are created by isolating the mid level tones. It may be subtle and pleasing rather than dramatic and often appears better in color than a monochromatic scheme. Colors can be complimentary and yet the same key, so although in black and white everything would blend, in color it works. One of the issues to keep in mind when playing in mid key is that although consistency of tone can help your subject and their surroundings appear well-aligned, the trick is to make sure your subject doesn't get lost.

During a recent family vacation to Mexico, my son's favorite activities included combing the beach for shells and chasing after seagulls. It was particularly overcast in the mornings, and since my son's skin tone nearly matches the surrounding rocks and sand, I was able to get a couple of interesting mid key beach shots.

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