Create dramatic photographs with a simple lighting technique that results in low key portraits and epic photographs

Epic. Dramatic. Softness. These are just a few adjectives that describe low key photography. Before shooting for this post, I’ve always had a fascination with any photographs that had a white background or were high key. Not only are photographs with a white background clean and sterile, they don’t distract from the subject. However, once you go black, you don’t go back.

Chiaroscuro and Key Values

Value is an elemental term in visual arts that relatively describes the amount of lightness or darkness that is present in a photograph or piece of artwork.

When we say the term low key we are describing a piece that is darker in it’s toning, coloring which creates a more dramatic, moody and emotional photograph or work. When an image is high key, overall the work is lighter and brighter creating a more simplistic and peaceful photograph or work.

During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, painters struggled with how to successfully translate a three-dimensional object onto a flat surface. In order to solve this problem, painters instituted a technique called Chiaroscuro, meaning light (chiaro) and dark (scuro). This technique resulted in high-contrast paintings that were dramatic and powerful. Take a look at some of Flickr’s top Chiaroscuro picks here. 

Highlight of History: Caravaggio

Source: Web Gallery of Art

Caravaggio was a Baroque Italian painter who made the chiaroscuro style famous. Most of his works feature a dark background and are highly contrasted with his subjects, which where illuminated intensely or dimly.

Caravaggio’s piece, The Calling of Saint Matthew, exemplifies his strong use of and attention to light and value. Caravaggio creates a strong dramatic image with the soft lighting from the beam shining into the room which creates a deep contrast between the variations of textures and colors. Overall, more rich and deep tones result in a low-key value.

Studio Quality Lighting with an Invisible Black Backdrop

Photographer Glyn Dewis has formulated a technique that allows any photographer, no matter where they are, to shoot on an invisible black backdrop with camera settings and a speedlight. The end result is a beautiful photograph with studio quality lighting and a subject against a black backdrop.

Depending on how the light is controlled, images shot with this technique can vary in value, however they are primarily low key images as the background is black. When shooting this technique, the photographer is able to decide whether or not the subject is lit brightly, or if it’s dim. I personally prefer dimmer images as it tends to result in a more dramatic photograph.

It’s amazing to see what everyday object you can take and turn into an amazing picture. Steven, who sits on my friends table, became a floating fish with this simple technique!

Low Key Portrait Photography

Low key portrait photography provides a dramatic and emotional look. When shooting low key portraits, you want to make sure that you have soft lighting.

This was a picture I took of Baylie Madyson, a photographer and graphic designer here in Rexburg. This picture was taken in the corner of a room. I used my youngnuo speedlight with a large rouge flashbender and held it above her head. After playing around with the flash power, I finally landed this shot with amazing lighting. I love how the soft lighting turns this into an emotional photograph.

The soft lighting combined with Baylie looking down creates an emotional photograph, exuding grace, innocence and beauty. Furthermore, the soft light slowly feathers its way back, until it reaches the invisible black backdrop. I love how this has created a nice soft frame for her face while adding depth and drama.

You can learn more on how to shoot low key lighting on TutsPlus guide to shooting Low Key Lighting.

Epic Photographs with Black Backdrops

The invisible black backdrop technique also works great to achieve studio quality lighting for product and creative photography. Take for example this flower below.

When capturing this, the light was positioned above the flower and off a bit to the right. Because of this, the flower itself has a higher key value as it is brighter than the stem which is softly and subtly light. The reason why this is such an epic picture is because of the angle and composition of the photograph. By getting low, you are able to make objects seem more surreal, especially things like flowers which could easily be swallowed up by this black background.