Photography Tips and Tricks

Using high-key and low-key lighting in your photographs can add drama to shots. The trick is knowing how to use high-key and when to go with low-key lighting.

What is High and Low-Key Lighting?

High-key lighting is using light to add an overall, low contrast look to a photo. Most people identify a high-key image with having a lot of white areas and a brighter look than “normal” photos. They also contain very little or no shadows. High-key images are usually considered happy, upbeat, commercial images.

This photo is an example a high-key image.

Its opposite, low-contrast, is created by very direct lighting to add just a little light to an otherwise dark image. While in high-key photos the dominant color is white, the dominant color in low-key images is black or grey.

Low-key images are considered moody, thoughtful, and dramatic images.

Here is an example of a low-key image.

It is important to remember that you can use natural lighting in high-key and low-key photos, as shown in the examples.

How to Create High-Key Images

To create a high-key photograph, first, place your subject in front of a white background. Make sure the subject is far enough away from the background as to not create a shadow on the background.

Next, set your camera to overexpose by 2 stops with a low lighting ratio around 2:1. Your lighting should be aimed at your backdrop to keep your subject out of shadow. Use a fill flash to eliminate the rest of the shadows.

How to Create Low-Key Images

To create low-key images, place your subject in front of a dark background with very dark lighting. The clothing and props tend to be dark, as well.

Think of silhouette portraits when you are setting up for low key shoots. Light your subject from one side to create a deep contrast of light and dark. Experiment with your fill flash to see if you like the results. You may do fine without the fill flash using ISO settings. In general, you can use a higher lighting ratio around 3:1.