top of page
Search
Writer's pictureMitchel Reisinger

"Understanding the Difference Between Low-Key and High-Key Photography: When to Use Each Style"Understand high key and low key light as a photographer

Updated: Jun 11

In this post we will talk about Understand high key and low key light as a photographer. There’s an easy way to determine whether something is high-key or low-key. High-key photos are bright and don’t have many shadows. Low-key photos are darker and have more shadow, this is the most simple and easiest way to explain it. Now that we have a clear understanding of what high-key and low-key photos are I have provide a few example of each so we can see the difference.



Examples of High key Photos

Understand high key and low key light as a photographer
High key lighting

Understand high key and low key light as a photographer
High key lighting


Understand high key and low key light as a photographer
High key lighting

The photos below are low-key photos, why because as stated above low-key photos focus on a lot of shadows.

studio
Low key lighting
studio
low key lighting
studio
low key lighting

s
low key lighting

Now that we have a clear understanding of what high and low-key photos are. we need to know when to use which technique. A low-key photo's main purpose is to draw attention to a subject or create dramatic scenes. High-key photos are often used for Professional Headshots, portraits, product photography, fashion magazines, macro photography, or bird photography. High-key photos are usually used to produce an upbeat, vibrant ambiance. while a low key is used for creating a dramatic, moody ambiance.



Book your session today.

12 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page