Low Key Photos

[m_mphotography]

I'd like to learn the lighting to produce good low key images. Granted I have a single speed light to manipulate my lighting...but I think it can be done, right? Anyway, I'm not quite sure that I'm exposing correctly, I was just playing around this afternoon and got this image--but is it a good "low key image"...The only thing I did to it post process wise was to change it to black and white, and I think I increased the contrast a bit. But, I am not sure if I took it properly--are you not supposed to have detail in the dark areas?? I mean, there is lots of BLACK clipping in my image. The settings on my camera were 1/200sec, f/22 ISO 100 135mm focal length, my flash was in TTL mode and I bounced it off a white cardboard from behind and off to the right side. How does it look? Am I doing this right? I obviously need to do some more reading up, but while I was playing with my camera settings, I noticed that at 1/200ssec (which is my max synch speed on the D80) the sensor only registers the flash light, and no ambient light--is that the jist of it?? As I lowered my shutter speed, I started to see more ambient light register (I guess that's what it means when you "drag the shutter"?). The Aperture, I played with to manipulate the amount of flash light that registered...is that right?? I'm wanting to do a maternity shoot for a friend, and would love to get some really nice low key images of her, as I love the feel of this type of pic. Any advice/tips is much appreciated.



Sorry if the pic is a little spooky, it's my daughter's baby that she loves to take the arms off of...it was all I had to work with this afternoon. She made for a very cooperative model.

[ramblinray]

The exposure on this shot is fine if that is the mood you are trying to convey. Low key shots are usually considered somber or tense in mood. While you may like low key shots, is that the mood your friend would want to convey for a maternity shot. Having a baby is a joyous event and should convey a more happy mood. No sense starting the post-partum depression early.

As for aperture and shutter speed, you have the general concept correct. Don't worry about 'black clipping' if you like the end result. If you are shooting for your own edification, and you like the result, then you did it right. If you are shooting for someone else, then it is their opinion that matters most. In that case you handle the technical aspects to suit their desires.

[bondarnes]

In the image posted I believe it to be underexposed. Whether the image is low key or high key, whites should still be white and blacks should be black. The whites of the eyes are gray and even the catch lights are not white as they should be..

[PIC]

Low Key is as much an art as High Key and both take careful consideration long before you get behind camera. PLAN PLAN PLAN then shoot only to execute your Plan.
Many don't pre visualize the shoot these days ... Digi has lead to sloppy photo ...
I tend to prefer Studio Flash for Normal to High Key but will go Low Key also.
The modeling lights are also an effective source for low key.
You may wish to "break the rules" also ... you should have some Highlights in a Low Key Photo just as you have some darks in a High Key.
Attached was one I did in NYC studio ('77 pre Avedon Days - masterd Low Key before Hi Key). Used 4 Smith Victor lights and a slow shutter speed (show emotion w motion).
Done w/ my HBlad 500C and orig Tri - X.
You really need more detail in all zones ...

EL