The next lighting technique that I wanted to look at was low-key lighting as this is pretty much the opposite to high key in which instead of focusing on the light tones and white, low-key relies on shadows, deep blacks and darker tones with very few lighter colours present. This creates a more moody feeling and and the atmosphere can feel somber, mysterious and even dramatic with the harsh shadows in which the subject appears to be coming out from them.
The set up for this type of lighting is also a lot simpler than high-key. You just need one single light source and a dark backdrop in which to take the image or film. Having a reflector as well can be useful as this can help to soften the shadows created and help cast the light smoothly over the subject. Then also deferentially from high-key this time it is the subject that is lit and not the background, you want to keep the background as dark as possible to create this immersive look.
‘Low-key images have very little light in them. Contrast is
usually high and the lighting is hard. Low-key lighting can create a very moody
atmosphere and is often used for this effect. The most obvious setting for
low-key lighting is night-time, but it can also be found in other situations,
such as during storms and dark interiors.’
Light for Visual Artists: Understanding & Using Light in Art & Design
This is a really helpful image of how to set up low-key lighting and does make it look quite simple. this could almost be something that is possible to achieve digitally as well.
I then found this really beautiful image which is an excellent example of low-key lighting. This is Calla Curves and Shadows by Bill Gracey.
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