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03/24/2006 12:07:40 PM · #1 |
| Ok, so high key is much easier to do. How exactly do you accomplish low key? Is the lighting kept to a minimum, are there any important directions/angles for the lights, or do you just under-expose a normal scene to get to low key? Or is it done in post processing using Levels or Curves? |
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03/24/2006 12:12:37 PM · #2 |
It's purely a lighting technique. PS isn't gonna get you a good low key image (easily and most of the time not basic-legal) nor will just under-exposing a regular image.
Generally, you'll want to work with one light source and position it to where it lays highlights on the shape of the subject. Most times this is side lighting.
You want to expose the highlighted areas to where they are almost peaking. You don't want to blow the highlights, but you do want a noticibale peak.
As far as the rest of the image, you'll want black blacks with a curve trailing off with nice gradations.
Message edited by author 2006-03-24 12:14:04.
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03/24/2006 12:18:30 PM · #3 |
Anybody got a diagram or picture of that sort of lighting set-up?
Leroy, I know you use the halogen work lights - any tips for working with those as far as fine control of lighting direction goes? What can be used to 'focus' the lights that won't burn the house down?
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03/24/2006 12:25:44 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by saracat:
Leroy, I know you use the halogen work lights - any tips for working with those as far as fine control of lighting direction goes? What can be used to 'focus' the lights that won't burn the house down? |
I'll point out that this is not a low-key image as a whole.
But it could have been if I hadn't used reflectors and positioned the model differently.
I used a white garbage bag suspended from clothes hangers in front of the halogens to help supress thier harshness. Now, if I were to turn the model where the light hits her side more than full front on the light would empashize her shape, much like it does on the vice she is working with.
You'll want to work with a single light source (two heads behind a diffuser is a single light source) and rotate your subject, so that light falls on it's (his/her) contour.
Message edited by author 2006-03-24 12:26:12.
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03/24/2006 12:41:52 PM · #5 |
So...
After reading all these low-key discussions, Let me see if I've got some sort of handle on this.
My challenge entry used this lighting (different subject, different pp, same lighting): .
I think I can see why it is falling flat on its face, so to speak.
(The lighting was a single halogen work light bounced off the ceiling, with a little side light coming in through the kitchen doorway.)
Ignoring the fact that she's blurry, would the lighting on this one be closer to true 'low key' lighting?
(The lighting on this was the same as for the above EXCEPT that the hubby was goofing around with a mirror and reflected the light onto her face.)
If not, what should be done to 'fix' it?
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03/24/2006 12:54:22 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by saracat:
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Left a comment.
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03/24/2006 12:56:45 PM · #7 |
Thanks, Leroy.
That helps.
Now I have to go back and reshoot the series I took the challenge entry from just so I can prove to myself I can do it. :)
Sara
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03/24/2006 01:02:50 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by saracat:
so I can prove to myself I can do it. :)
Sara |
That's why I like to help :-) I have a lot of fun here making corny jokes and even more corny photos, but seeing people learn a very fun hobby, is very gratifying.
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03/24/2006 01:08:04 PM · #9 |
| Very helpul you guys. Now I would like the people who took part in the challenge to post some information about light setups alongwith the final image. After the challenge is over of course ;-) |
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03/24/2006 01:15:43 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by ignite:
Very helpul you guys. Now I would like the people who took part in the challenge to post some information about light setups alongwith the final image. After the challenge is over of course ;-) |
Will do. And I'll probably be writing an article on my site too. Seems I already have it written, I just need to go retrieve it from the three threads ;-)
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03/24/2006 02:57:27 PM · #11 |
Leroy,
Maybe you could consider writing a tutorial for DPC on high key/high contrast/low key photos - the differences, lighting setups, things to watch out for, that kind of thing?
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03/24/2006 03:04:07 PM · #12 |
Hmmmm... haven't thought about writing a tutorial for DPC. Would definitely have to expand my normally abbreviated writing style a bit, but perhaps I will give it a shot.
Edit: and obviously I need to learn to type :-)
Message edited by author 2006-03-24 15:08:18.
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03/24/2006 03:29:08 PM · #13 |
I had this ready, but wasn't sure that I understood the technique properly so entered "hands" instead. Should I have gone with this one or am I offtarget?
is this the right idea?
edit to add;
I used a clamp-on lamp set slightly behind, and kept shifting the head and camera until I was satisfied.
Message edited by author 2006-03-24 15:33:58. |
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03/24/2006 03:33:39 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by BeeCee:
I had this ready, but wasn't sure that I understood the technique properly so entered "hands" instead. Should I have gone with this one or am I offtarget?
is this the right idea? |
You hit it. I'd like to see a little less contrast (to allow some more variation of tone in the dark regions) and a bit more light around the shape of the forehead, but yes, this was low-key.
Originally posted by BeeCee:
edit to add;
I used a clamp-on lamp set slightly behind, and kept shifting the head and camera until I was satisfied. |
I used a standard floor lamp for mine :-) Just happened to notice my subject sitting under the light and was like yeah! Had to do a bit of repositioning, but it was truly a "found" photo.
Message edited by author 2006-03-24 15:36:46.
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03/24/2006 03:36:44 PM · #15 |
| Sorry, I should have posted this one in the same post. It was my other choice. It's better, maybe?or maybe this one's better? |
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03/24/2006 03:37:29 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by BeeCee:
Sorry, I should have posted this one in the same post. It was my other choice. It's better, maybe?or maybe this one's better? |
Yes, that is exactly what I was talking about. Well, done.
Message edited by author 2006-03-24 15:49:08.
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03/24/2006 03:40:51 PM · #17 |
Thank you soooooo much for your help :D Looking through the entries I was becoming very unsure!
Man, I am learning SO much here, I wish I could become a full member. You guys are great! (Most of you, at least ;) ) |
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03/24/2006 03:49:31 PM · #18 |
BeeCee, Are you a student of NYIP? Looks like the Shirley head they give to students. My ex-wife had one.
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03/24/2006 04:08:57 PM · #19 |
| No, it's a hand-painted plaster hat mannequin from the 40's or 50's, I'd say. I picked her up for $5 at a garage sale, and I LOVE her! |
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03/24/2006 04:12:33 PM · #20 |
Cool, I've been wanting to get a mannequin head to use to demonstrate portrait techniques.
NYIP must have modeled thier plastic heads after one like yours, because she looks very much like yours.
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03/24/2006 04:24:10 PM · #21 |
You can't begin to imagine how excited I was to find her :D I constantly cruise the thriftshops for body parts, but anything they get want to keep for display, the meanies. And new stuff costs a fortune!
If I could figure out how to do it without the slightest risk to her, I'd make a mold of her and create some new ones but there's NO way I'm going to risk damaging her to try.
Oops, sorry for highjacking the thread. Thanks again for your low-kay help :) |
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