In traditional photography there are three types of lighting used a key light, a fill light, and a back light for even illumination. Low-key lighting requires only one, key light. This is controlled with a light and maybe even a reflector.
Here is a pull back of my set up taken with my iPhone. I had a black fabric shower curtain hanging on the wall behind the door. Then I had the door cracked open and I was standing where the reflector is. I used that to shine some light on his face.
Below are some photos of Dustyn. It is hard to get a 4 year old to face the right way and to stay still, but overall I am happy with them.
{settings: ISO 200, f/2.2, ss 1/80}
Some tips to follow:
You will want a black background or a dark room. Then you want to have some type of light source that you can shine on your subject or indirectly bounce onto the subject.
If you have a studio and lights this is easy but when you do not have access to that it is pretty difficult. Just work with what you have. If you have to adjacent rooms that would be easy. Just have your subject stand in the dark room and use the light from the room adjacent to it.
Set your ISO as low as possible. Keeping your ISO low will give you good image quality, keeping it both dark and noise-free.
Start with a wide open aperture and adjust from there.
You have endless possibilities with light, but one thing you do not want is the light to touch the background. You want the background to be dark.
You will want to move around your lighting and your subject until the shadows fall where you want them. This is so easy but hard at the same time. I am sure it would be easier with a still object.
I personally think low key photos looks best in black and white. I used Pioneer Woman’s Black and White Beauty action on these. Before that I edited with Coffeeshops Perfect Portrait action and brighten up parts of his face. I also darkened the shadows a tad to give you that dark contrast.
Ready to join in the fun? Here’s how to do it:
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