(of a photograph, painting, etc) having a predominance of light grey tones or light colours
Compare low-key (sense 3)
high key in American English
noun
Films
a style of lighting that is bright, even, and produces little contrast between light and dark areas of the scene
Word origin
[1915–20]This word is first recorded in the period 1915–20. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: camouflage, collage, conditioning, soviet, supernationalism
high-key in American English
(ˈhaiˈki)
adjective
(of a photograph)
having chiefly light tones, usually with little tonal contrast (distinguished from low-key)
Word origin
[1915–20]This word is first recorded in the period 1915–20. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: camouflage, collage, feedback, neorealism, supernationalism