low key lighting

jovialjester

jovialjester

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Chris
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Hi, anyone care to offer tips on low key lighting?

I'm planning a shoot of my girlfriend and want to concentrate on low key shots of her back, lots of moody shadows :)

I have a 2 light flash set-up with softboxes or shoot through umbrellas

Thanks
 
Use a dark background, highest sync speed, one light as key (position as appropriate, but so no light hits background. Use the other light as a rim light behind for separation from background. Keep your lighting muted. Really depends on the shot as you see it. Play! Have fun!
 
As above, similar to the shot in this thread to separate her from the black background.

When it comes to lighting her back, which I'm guessing will be bare skin, your starting point should probably be another softbox on the opposite side to the backlight/rimlight, raking across her body. Move it further away for more clearly defined shadows, closer for softer lighting and a more rapid fall off of light
 
Thanks for the tips, I don't have grids (yet) but will definitely buy softboxes with them when I get my next two heads.
Will try to improvise till then and move away further from the backdrop.
 
Remember it's all about controlling the spill. Light always travels in a straight line and bounces around so be prepared to flag it in some way. I always carry black sheets for this.
 
Feather your light and position her away from the background. Reduce the output for even more control.

------------------------- backgound




................0.............. girlfriend



................................... <- * light direction


................U.................. you
 
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