Lighting Series
There are 3 different key levels of studio lighting: low, medium and high - each offering a different look and feel to a photograph. Low key lighting brings out the darker tones in a photo, while medium key highlights the medium tones. Photographs that are dominated by bright tones are created with a high key lighting.
High Key
A bright background is needed when shooting with high key lighting, such as white seamless paper. Other alternative backgrounds include a white muslin background or backdrop that is nuked with lights.
You can achieve a high key lighting effect by setting up multiple lights. This set up will give you total control over the image. First you have to position the subject slightly in front of your photo background and set your lights on it. Once the subject is properly lit, you start setting up the background lights. You place one or two lights behind the subject pointing towards the backdrop. Use an umbrella to flood the backdrop with an even amount of light. Set the backdrop lights higher than the lighting used on the subject.
If there's only one light available, high key lighting is still achievable. By placing the light several feet in front of the model and slightly to the side, adjust it so the light hits both the subject and the backdrop. Use a softbox on the light to soften the light on the subject, while keeping the light on the backdrop bright. If necessary, use a reflector to fill in shadows on the subject.
One of the most dramatic effects that you can get on backdrop photography is the low key lighting effect. This effect is produced when a subject stands out against a dark background. It is very easy to understand low key lighting. The idea is to get dark tones while using very little lighting. The emphasis is placed on one spot of the subject as opposed to details everywhere else. There is no better lighting set up for those photographers who only have one light. The only reason to use more than one light would be for shadow play.
The setup for perfect low lighting shots include a dark studio background. Your subject should also be wearing a dark colour so that the features you want to accent work.
The light should not be on the front of the subject, but rather to the side. Set up at a 45 degree angle to the subject and then adjust to get the desired effect. The intention when doing this is to keep the light on your subject as opposed to the photography background. To get the best and darker effect, the subject should be on the edge of the light. If the subject has become too dark, you can use a reflector or second light.
Setup when only one light is available
Set up when full range of equipment is available
Mid Key
Mid key keeps the photograph tones right in the middle of high and low key - not too bright and not too dark. Mid key lighting focuses on the middle tones in a photograph, while still keeping the subject brighter than the background.
With mid key lighting you have more room to play with photogenic backgrounds. Play around with different coloured backdrops and where to position them. For example, by placing a bright white backdrop far enough away from the light it can appear grey in the photograph. Alternatively, if you flood a black backdrop with enough light you can also make it appear grey in the photograph.
High Key
The setup for perfect low lighting shots include a dark studio background. Your subject should also be wearing a dark colour so that the features you want to accent work.
The light should not be on the front of the subject, but rather to the side. Set up at a 45 degree angle to the subject and then adjust to get the desired effect. The intention when doing this is to keep the light on your subject as opposed to the photography background. To get the best and darker effect, the subject should be on the edge of the light. If the subject has become too dark, you can use a reflector or second light.
