Low Key Photography

Low key photography is dark in colors and having lots of black. This result is opposite of high key photography. Atmosphere created by these photographs have dramatic and mysterious effect. The look and result is bulky and heavy.



As we know, most of normal pictures contain average tonality, which falls from 0% to 100% on a scale of grey. Here, we consider lightest part of the image as 0% and darkest part as 100% black. An average image contains full tonal range within this scale.

However, in case of a low key photography, mid tone of this average tonality is shifted towards darker side of the scale and the result is dark and black in colors with high contrast. There is a small high light area, which does not occupy much of a space in photograph.



Background in this type of low key photography is either black or dark grey. Subject also is dark in color. If we consider it in form of black and white photography, it is a result of black subject shot on a black background.

Low key photography requires a lager room so that no unwanted light is bounced back on the subject from walls. If we are shooting in a small room, then we can use black curtains on walls. Choose black or dark colored back drop. Subject also should be dark in color. Main light should be oblique and directional. Use medium large or spot light as a light source. As the light is placed at an angle, it will form dense shadows. High light is created which should occupy very little area of the image, and even the mid tone should look like a shadow area.

Keep the subject away from the back ground so that we can control light from spilling on the back ground. Should we need to record details in shadow area, use white large reflector but be sure that the reflector is not opening up the shadow details too much. If we want to remove unwanted details, then we should use black reflectors.

For most of low key photography, we can use only one light. If we are following the exposure readings of camera light meter, then under expose the setting by 1 f stop. However, the high light in the photograph must be exposed as a correct high light, and it should not be under exposed. Otherwise, the end result will look like an under exposed frame.

(Read more about exposure.)

The overall result is masculine and strong. However, even a female model can be shot for a low key photography. This technique is very effective in nude photography, when we want to hide some parts of the body of the model.

Low key photography works well in product photography, where we want to show the richness of a product. A black pen or a black watch on a black background looks expensive and exclusive. Same thing applies for a car. These types of photographs have good appeal as a poster. It also works well for a portrait of a man. However, low key photography rarely work in other genre of photography. We have to be very careful for food and child photography in low key.



There has to be some small white or spectacular high light area in the image, which is the indication of proper exposure, so that the result does not look like under exposed image. Low key photography is opposite to high key photography.

Go to high key photography from low key photography

Read more about various subjects of photography

Abstract photography All about abstract photography application in art photography and commercial photography.

Aerial photography: Some useful consideration in aerial photography.

Amateur photography: Photography at ameture level is done as hobby. Yet, the result can be at par with a professional shoot, read more about it.

Architectural photography: Get some interior and exterior architectural photography tips.

Baby photography: Photography tips of a small baby.

Bird photography: Some hints on how to shoot birds in natural environment. This could be in a jungle or a town.

Candid photography: This genre of photography is easy, right? Well, read about it.

Child photography: Considerations when doing photography of a child in indoors or outdoors.

Digital photography tips: Some useful digital photography tips.

Erotic photography: How to shoot an artistic erotic photograph which is not vulgar? Read about it.

Family portrait: Family portrait as a snap shot has no value. Proper approach can give a pictorial appeal. Get some tips on it.

Fashion photography: Interested in fashion photography? Get some very useful tips.

Fine art photography: Fine art photography has different value as compared to commercial or professional photography. Read more about it.

Fireworks photography: Fire work photography, which can be a part of night photography session. Read more about it.

Flash photography: Use of flash in photography.

Flower photography: Here are some tips on flower photography in nature and in studio.

Food photography: How to shoot dishes and food.

Food photography tips: Some more tips on camera angle in food photography.

Glamour photography: This is very lucrative genre of commercial photography. Read all about how to shoot a glamour photograph.

High angle photography: Photographs taken from higher camera position has ita own importance and use. Read about it.

Industrial photography: This is one of the most difficult type of photography, where we have to take some care. Read about it.

Infrared photography: Infrared photography has its own use. It can be done with either IR film, or it can be done with digital camera. Read here for more information.

Landscape photography: One of the most interesting subject in photography.

Low angle photography: Photographs taken from lower camera position has its own impact. Read when to select this camera angle.

Macro photography: Close-up and macro photography tips.

Model photography: Photography of models for their portfolio.

Nature photography: This is all about photography of endless subjects, mother nature provides us. It can be part of wild life and landscape photography.

Night photography: Want to click after dark? Well, we can. Here are some useful tips on this topic.

Nude photography: How to shoot artistic nude photographs, which are not objectionable? Yes, there are some rules to follow for this genre of photography. This is one of the extremely popular subject of arts.

Outdoor photography: Here are some tips on how to do outdoor photography.

Outdoor portraits: Shooting portraits in outdoor? Must read tips on this subject.

Pet photography: Pet is another popular subject, which demands to take out our camera from cupboard. Get some tips on it.

Photography in direct sun light: Direct sun light is generally not preferred in photography as it gives washed out high light and dense sharp shadows. Yet, we can artistically use this light for a shoot. Read about it.

Photojournalism: Photojournalism is a challanging assignment. Read about its tips and techniques.

Portrait photography: One of the most shot subject is a portrait of a person. It can be in a studio or outdoors. Here are some tips on studio lighting of a portrait.

Product photography: All products need to be shot for number of reasons. It can be for record purpose or for product advertisement. Read about how to shoot different products.

Publishing-house photography: This genre of photography is a good source of steady income for many professional photographers. Read more about it.

Royalty free stock photography: Photographs shot for sale on royaly free basis can give you residual income for years. Here are some tips on how and what to shoot for this niche.

Sports photography: When it comes to sports, photography falls inbetween event photography and wild life photography. Read about the considerations.

Still-life photography: As a serious hobby, we all must have tried still life photography. Get some tips on it.

Stock photography: Stock photography is yet another opportunity to earn some money from our creativity. Read about it.

Street photography: As a part of candid photography, street photography has its own approach, which is slightly different from candid.

Surreal photography: This is highly imaginative approach, when we plan to shoot any subject in this manner. Read about some useful tips.

Wedding photography: Wedding and function photography is main source of income for lots of photographers. Here are some tips on this subject.

Wildlife photography: One of the most interesting subject of photography, if one has passion. Read about how to take wild life pictures.



Return back to Home Page from low key photography

Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.


artwork
Join Face Book Club