Low Key Lighting In Bright Environment

[DaydreamJay]

I shot the image below in a fairly dark studio using a double rim light and a slight fill from above to the front.

I have need to recreate this shot but this time I am only able to use a studio that is totally geared up for high key i.e. everything is painted white and there are large windows (which can't be covered,) all over the place, it may as well be outside.

I have never tried low-key lighting in a brightly lit environment and I assuming/hoping that as long as the flash lighting in there is considerably brighter than the ambient light there shouldn't be a problem. However, as I have never attempted it I would like reassurance from someone who has as to any potential hiccups I may encounter.

 

[J4MIE_P]

From my very quick thoughts, surely if you are using a shutter speed and aperture combination high enough to elimate all forms of ambient light you'll be fine.

But just watch out for reflections from the other walls, you could put up flags or even barndoors to some extent on the lights to ensure you get little spill?

 

[Garry Edwards]

You shouldn't have any major problems.
This shot was taken against a white background maybe 10' behind the model

and this one was taken against a white background maybe 3-4' behind her

The colour of the wall behind isn't really relevant with rim lighting because the wall won't be lit by the lighting, or if it is it will only be lit by the fill light.

Just get as much distance between subject and background as you can, and get the fill light as close to the subject as possible, so that the light falls off as much as possible by the time it reaches the wall.

If you get any problems at all it will be from unwanted reflected light from the walls and ceiling. As Jamie says, flags will help with that.

 

[DaydreamJay]

Thanks both of you.