Low Key Photography

[eliaskok]

I want to take my first low key photograph either indoor or outdoor. I don't have my own light. Any suggestion how to do it or any techniques that you suggest me? i know about histograms and other stuff

[Frank Schmidt]

This is 'low key' to me, Elias. Is this kind of what you mean?

My EXIF info says that this is a 96 second exposure. Does your camera have a 'bulb' setting where you can leave the shutter open longer than 30 seconds?

This image was taken in a dark room, no lights on. No flash was used. F/18 at ISO 160 using an 85mm lens and no exposure bias.

What I did to light the scene was use a hand held spot light. You could use a strong flashlight just as well. If you use 30 or less exposure then you could use a larger aperture or boost the ISO.

Hope this helps, or I'm sure there are other ways to do Low Key.

[eliaskok]

Thank you for information. But one exapmle of low key photography that i want to take is this one:

Low key photography image by bloodhaunt on Photobucket

Any other suggestions for indoor or outdoor?

[ccting]

Originally Posted by eliaskok

Thank you for information. But one exapmle of low key photography that i want to take is this one:

Low key photography image by bloodhaunt on Photobucket

Any other suggestions for indoor or outdoor?

;D The simplest way for noob like me is use the "Low-key" special function of my Camera.. ;D. Basically, it has underexposure shoot..-2 to -3 EV

I think
a) Black background
b) get a fill light that is dim enough tested with shot
c) use 3/4 lighting and ensures the main light create the key triangle...(??), perhaps only one side of the face not visible for man..(underexpose..). 3/4 lighting = move the main light towards camera, and it is between the position with side lighting. (no side lighting, only 1-2 light, even fill light may not use, i guess.)
d) shot unsuring underexpose..

I am not sure, just guess, I am not learn up to that stage..

For outdoor, I think you need to find hash light from between top and side. Then use shutter speed to darken the background. Aperture may aid that.. . Find dark / black background even better ;D. If that not possible, then you use one strong Speedlight like the indoor setting. Perhaps ND filter may help

low-key is usually for portrait i guess .. ;D

Again, i guess.

[MindyRaeL]

In your example picture, it looks like direct flash placed at far camera right.

If you want to attempt something like that, you're going to need some kind of external light source. An external flash is ideal, but I've also heard of people using chicken lights. The key is to get a light source that you can move and direct the light where you want it to go.
Start with the external light off and dial in the exposure for your ambient light. If you're going for a low-key look, you're probably going to want to under-expose your ambient light by a stop or two. Then, turn on your external light and adjust it's power accordingly. If you're using an external flash unit, you can simply turn the power up or down. If you're using something like the chicken lights, the only way to adjust it's brightness is by moving it closer (brighter) or further away (dimmer).
Unfortunately, I can't just say "set your camera to this and put your lights here." It's all about trial and error to get the exposure you want.

[eliaskok]

Thank you all for your help and advices

[AdrenoJunkie]

Low key really just means you're using a high lighting ratio. Meaning you have alot more key light than you do fill light (if any). That will give you heavy shadows in the areas not lit by your key light. There's no need to underexpose your main light necessarily. The idea is to restrict where the light hits and let the rest be deep shadows. How deep is up to you. You control that part with your fill. You don't need an external light source to do it either. it can be done with with window light and a reflector. I can post an example of one I did using light coming through a sliding glass door it you like.

[CarlyRocksPhotos]

Hrm. Well- I think the best starting place is to define "low-key"...which I think Adreno covered best. IMO Most of the images in the reference gallery you gave us aren't necessarily low-key.

For me- LK not only includes a low-key-light (hence the typical dark and shadowy images) but also a low contrast, softer-not-harsh light. WIkipedia agrees: Low-key lighting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I really really love LKL. Really Love.

I've always come back to this image of Tiana Hunter- a friend of mine and world-class freelance model, as my perfect in-my-head reference for low key.
Photographer Francis Wiley

But I don't think you have to isolate your subject in order to have LK. . . And perhaps I'm alone in this thought... As an experiment (isn't it all!? ) I used a major key lighting source and controlled it as well as possible to be as low-key as possible...the 4 ft of snow outside helped....natural bounce/diffusion... Maybe I got it- I don't know. As much as I love these self-portraits (and really do, in fact) I'm not sure I've hit the nail on the head, going back to the pic of Tia. . . :
http://eternalsoulshine.blogspot.com/2011/09/behind-bluecurtain.html [NSFW]
(click pick to go to original posting with more examples from this series...don't wannt forum hog...)