For challenge number three of Emerge, we asked our challengers to create images using high key or low key techniques.

The use of high key and low key imagery is very common in the world of art and photography. Their popularity can probably be attributed to them being a relatively easy way to create a mood and elicit an emotional response from the viewer.

High key imagery tends to bring with it more positive emotions. Its bright, airy, clean look is a perfect way to convey joy and happiness.

On the other hand, low key images tend to have a more serious or dramatic mood and can even go as far as feeling dark and ominous.

Once more, we were not disappointed with the results, and the submission standard was extremely high.

Very well done to the photographers who created these fantastic images.

 We provide video feedback on all images submitted for the challenge, and from there, we select our Top 20 and Top 10. Without further ado, here are the Top 10 images for this challenge!

Angela Schneider | Big White Dog Photography

What a gorgeous high-key image. The bright tones have been treated beautifully and the expression and composition are fantastic.

Carol Wolfram

What a dramatic image! The low-key style has worked very well with direction of light coming onto that front part of the dog. The raised paw adds a little extra touch of personality.

Audrey Ricks | Sunsets Unleashed

Beautifully high-key, the dogs pose is fantastic and the use of negative space is excellent.

Jackie Series

Beautiful posing and expression, the cool and warm tones in the dogs fur are picked up nicely in the surroundings giving this a harmonious, low-key result.

Barbara Thrall | Barb Thrall Photography

The expression shines with this cat's personality. It's light and airy and really suits the high-key style.

Kaori Stewart

It's all about the posing in this image, the relaxed dog with that squished up cheek. The low-key light really suits the moment and the edit really emphasises everything there is to enjoy about this image.

Carol Mudra | Apawture Studios

This is quirky and fun with a lighthearted feeling and lovely light tones that put this firmly in the High-Key category!

Laurie Vermiere

There is a fantastic triangular flow to this composition thanks to the expression and use of negative sapce that leads your eye in and around the image. The low-key treatment really works well.

Rachel McCreedy | Furtographer

The soft side light and grey slice through the backdrop result in a soft yet dramatic low-key portrait that shapes the dog fantastically well and giving the feeling of a proud guardian.

Tanya Honkanen | Dog Letters From NYC

The pose, expression and direction of the dogs gaze all work well within this composition. The slightly contrasty light brings out the tone and texture of this dogs fur and help create mood in this low-key image.

Keen on taking part in these challenges?

Emerge is the intermediate 6-month interactive challenge-based dog photography course in our Unleashed Challenges series, focusing on helping you to expand your shooting shot list and learn valuable new skills.

Emerge is open to students who have previous completed the first course in the series, Embark.

Want to be the first to hear when Embark opens for enrolment each year? Register your interest here.