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The power of low key - part 2 of 1 2

Published 01/03/2003

Oddly enough there are some who seek to create different images to the common renderings and they misuse the lights and instead of great images create almost bizarre light patterns that can make their subjects look less than attractive and draw your attention the lighting instead of the subject. Exciting lighting but not very good portraiture.

I would like to suggest that every portrait photographer should own a copy of Winslow Homer's "The Country School" and spend some time studying how this master observed all the nuances of the light from three windows. This masterpiece is a wonderful lesson in how to see light. The painting is primarily low key and demonstrates how we can create a wonderful feeling of depth when backgrounds provide the opportunity to wrap light around our subjects, something almost impossible to do in high key.

Two images that demonstrate this are those of the boy reading a book by window light primarily from the left of the camera and that of the boy reading by candlelight. Each of these images demonstrates a different technique. The technique where daylight was used shows how we can use natural light without the being able to reposition it and instead we have to adjust our subject to the light source.

In this image the couch the boy is seated in presents a low key background and consequently the effect of the light is much more dramatic and there is a great feeling of depth. Note how the boy has been slightly angled so that the light from the window at the left strikes his book and reflects up into his face. The window behind and to his left, (right of the camera), creates a slight separation and gives you a look into the shadows.

The boy reading by candlelight presents a totally different challenge. It immediately required me to recognize what candlelight is and does. First I lit the candle and observed its effect on the boy's face. If my lighting was to create the impression that the portrait was by only candlelight then my lighting pattern had to be very precise.

Candlelight does not wrap like soft light. It is primarily specula and creates deep shadows where the facial structure is not in the direct line of the light it emits. Yet, when we are left with only candlelight, given a little time we will look into the shadows for a little detail. This effect was accomplished by using a slightly diffused snoot as the main light, which was placed slightly behind the plane of the boy's profile and behind the candle. This position mocked the effect of the light from the candle. Next a soft white umbrella was placed directly in front of the boy but behind the candle and produced just enough light to render some skin tone to the camera side of the face.

Both of these portraits have earned recognition in competition, each earning Best of Show ribbons. I like to think that this because I have learned my craft and gleaned the rewards for my dedication to the study and understanding of low key lighting. Wholly apart from the ribbons and the kudos both images provide me with great satisfaction. It is what low key does for my emotional reactions. It excites my senses in a way that even my best high key work does not.

The low key portraits such as illustrates this article are always going to create the wow factor. Creating the wow factor in our images is important if we want our potential clientele to want our portraiture. If you create the mundane and the common style of low key work you are not going to draw the client who has the ability to spend good money. My own success in drawing the upscale client is all about the ability to create images that are exciting and stir the emotions. It is about creating desire that grows into want. When clients compare the work of other photographers in my market they will always see the difference. Great lighting will make your portraits talk to their viewers.

Don't just shoot in low key, shoot with great lighting and see your market grow. And your bottom line.

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• By Norman Phillips
  
  The power of low key page 1
  
• The power of low key page 2
  

1st Published 01/03/2003
last update 09/12/2022 14:58:07

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