Low Key Lighting - Definition Post

Low key lighting is a style of photography whereby you use lighting to your advantage in order to create a dark photograph, with light reflecting slightly off the other side of the individuals face (a reflector helps to achieve this.) It helps enhance the contours of an object. This effect is commonly used in horror films, as it aids in alienating the viewer.

Low key lighting is used in:

• fashion
• film
• media
• television
• magazines

Here is an example of where low key lighting is used in a film:

As you can see there's many shadows cast over the image, which create a sense of mystery. The low key lighting helps create a chiaroscuro effect. 

Here is an example of low key lighting being used not on people, but objects:

This image is different to usual images of low key lighting, as it's of food objects, not individuals. 

Below are various ways in which you can set up the studio in order to achieve a low key lighting effect:

This is how the studio will be set up in order to achieve the low key lighting effect.