
Low-key lighting is a style of
lighting for
photography,
film or
television. It is a necessary element in creating a
chiaroscuro effect.
Traditional photographic
lighting (
three-point lighting) uses a
key light, a
fill light and a
back light for illumination. Low-key lighting often uses only a key light, optionally controlled with a fill light or a simple
reflector.
Low key light accentuates the contours of the subject by throwing areas into shade while a fill light or reflector may illuminate the shadow areas to control
contrast.
The relative strength of key-to-fill, known as the
lighting ratio, can be measured using a
light meter. Low key lighting has a higher lighting ratio, e.g., 8:1, than
high-key lighting, which can approach 1:1.
The term "low key" is also used in
cinematography and
photography to refer to any scene with a high lighting ratio, especially if there is a predominance of shadowy areas. It tends to heighten the sense of alienation felt by the viewer, hence is commonly used in
film noir and
horror genres.
It is typically used in dark dramas/ thrillers. Low-key lighting is also associated with
German Expressionism and later
film noir.
File:Low-key cat.jpg
File:Low-key photography - portrait of a young man.jpg
File:Low key Nina.jpg
See also
*
Contre-jour
*
High-key lighting
References
Category:Photographic techniques
Category:Cinematography
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