Highkey

High-key, also spelled high-key or highkey, is a term used in photography and cinematography to describe a lighting style characterized by bright illumination, very light tonal values, and minimal shadows. In high-key images, most of the scene is rendered in light tones, with few mid-tones and little contrast. This approach creates a clean, upbeat look and is often associated with fashion, portraiture, and commercial photography.

It is achieved by using multiple light sources and/or strong fill lighting, often with a light or white background. The main light (key light) is balanced with fill lights to reduce shadows, and a backlight or hair light helps separate the subject from the background. Exposure is typically set to keep highlights from clipping while preserving the overall brightness; diffusion and bounce cards soften shadows and maintain even illumination. Backgrounds are usually lit to appear white or near-white.

Contexts: In fashion and product photography, high-key lighting emphasizes clarity and detail; in portraiture, it produces a flattering, luminous look. The style is common in magazines, advertising, and digital content. The term is also used in digital aesthetics to describe an "airy" or "bright" palette, often with desaturated or pastel tones.

In slang, high-key means something that is openly acknowledged or strongly stated, as in "they are high-key obsessed"—the opposite of low-key, which implies subtlety or restraint.

Related terms include low-key lighting, key light, and fill light.