How can I shoot low-key and high-key portraits without an external flash?
Asked 10/30/2013
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2 answers
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I use a Canon 600D with a 50mm portrait lens. Can I create low-key and high-key portrait images without using an external flash? What kind of room lighting, subject placement, and camera settings should I use?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
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There are many ways of setting up high and low key shots. But for example
Low Key
Use a dark room. Light your subject with directed light, such as a lamp or light entering through a slightly open door. Flag the light so it lights your subject but doesn't hit the background. You may have to brace the camera or use a tripod, and use a higher ISO to get the correct exposure. The room doesn't have to be super dark, but you need the light source to be strong relative to the ambient light in the room if you want your subject lit while keeping the background relatively dark.
High Key
Bright room with light colored walls. Place your subject near a large window (not in direct sun, so north-facing if you're in the northern hemisphere, south facing otherwise). Overexpose if required to suit your tastes.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
12y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes. You can do both with available light.
For low-key portraits, use a dark room and light the subject with a controlled light source such as a lamp or light coming through a partly opened door. Try to keep that light off the background so the subject is lit but the background stays dark. Because light levels may be low, you may need a tripod or to brace the camera, and adjust ISO/exposure as needed.
For high-key portraits, use a bright room with light-colored walls and place the subject near a large window with soft indirect light rather than direct sun. Expose so the overall scene stays bright, and slightly overexpose if needed to keep the background and tones light.
In both cases, the key is controlling contrast between subject and background more than the specific lens or camera. A 50mm lens on your 600D is fine for this.
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