I think it's worth making a distinction between high-key images and images created on a white background. Call me pedantic, but the two are quite different. Yes, a high-key image is usually (but not exclusively) shot using a white background. However, just placing any old subject on white background does not automatically make that a high key image!
I like high-key images but I'm not a huge fan of formulaic portrait photography where families are shot on a white background. Why? Well it used to look very contemporary at one stage but now absolutely every one is doing it (probably because it's so easy to do) and one portrait ends up looking the same as the next. It's one of the reasons I prefer location work over studio work.
A true high key image is one which contains a predominance of tones lighter than middle grey. It's not one where you simply blow the background. This means the subject would also need to wear light clothes and appropriate lighting is used.
- Thorsten.
