Low key portraits use minimal lighting and shadows to accentuate the shape and contours of the subject. By keeping large areas of shadow, low key lighting can add depth and definition to muscles or abstract objects. Examples show a model displaying emotional pain with shadow covering most of his face from backlighting. Another confident model is lit from above, leaving shadow in the top corners. A portrait of Tupac uses a hooded shadow across his serious, emotionless eyes and illuminated face to draw attention to the gun he holds, portraying him as a troubled man.

1. Low key Portraits
By Jennifer Finnigan

2. Definition
• Low-key is a term that describes images that are dark and contain few
highlight areas. The main use of low-key lighting as a creative visual
tool is to accentuate the shape and contour of a subject, by leaving
additional lighting (fill light, for example) at a bare minimum, or
omitting it entirely. Low-key lighting is also often used in cinema to
create dramatic, moody effects, in many types of films from romance
to horror.

3. How this is used
• Low key photography teaches us manipulation of light to draw attention to a
specific part of the subject. By keeping large amounts of shadows, you can
add depth to the figure, making muscles look larger and more defined. Using
low key lighting when photographing objects can create some beautifully
abstract shots.

4. Examples of low key lighting
In this photograph, the model shows emotional pain and
possibly physical pain as well. There is a lot of shadow within
this photo which creates some sense of seriousness. The light
shining on him looks like that it is coming from behind him. By
illuminating the light at this angle it creats an outline of light on
his face, this creates the shadow look on most of his face.

5. Examples of low key portraits
This photograph could portray body image and confidence. The model in the photo
seems very comfortable and confident in her body. The light looks like it is shining
from above her as it illuminates her face and parts of her body. However the light
looks like its from a specific angle from above as there is alot of shadow such as top
left corner.

6. Examples of low kay portraits
This photograph portrays the model as emotionless. This is shown by his serious
facial actions. The hood that tupac is wearing creates a main focus to the audience
as it draws an outline of his face which makes a straight pathway that leads to his
eyes that are emotionless and serious. Because of this technique, it leads the
audience to the gun that he is holding. The gun shows he is a troubled man and
uses violent actions. The light that is illuminating his face looks like it is coming from
above him but only on one side of his face. This creates the shadow that makes
him look troubled.

7. Examples of low key portraits