Low Key Beauty - Straight Images

Low Key Beauty - Work Diary

As a follow up from last lesson, we now focussed on low key lighting. To make this more interesting, we also explored the use of colour gels. I looked forward to experimenting with colour gels as this is not something I had used before but enjoyed the outcome of in images. I wanted to create images that had a good level of depth and dark tones, but still showed the vibrancy of the colours from the colour gels. I feel that I was successful in doing that as I took many pictures that I was very happy with and felt showed the exact outcome I hoped for. These images were taken without the fill light as the images that I took with the fill light removed the shadows and this is not something that I wanted.

This image was my favourite from the shoot. I feel that it shows exactly what I was hoping to capture - dark tones and vibrant colours from the colour gels. With the way that the lights were set up, the direction of the light was aimed towards his face, which means that this is where the most light is and so where your attention is drawn to. I further darkened the rest of the image by adding a vignette in Photoshop, which I feel ties the whole image together and created exactly the effect I wanted.

This image was taken with the fill light on and shows how the shadows in the image were removed. You can see how this is different from the image above as the whole picture is illuminated and this was not the style I was hoping to get. You can also see the light beam coming from one of the lights on the right of the photo, which I could have cropped out but this meant that the framing of the image would have changed and would be too close for what I liked.

Progression

If I were to recreate this shoot, I would try using different colours as I want to experiment with the mood and atmosphere that colour gels can create. I would also try using different models and having them all pose differently so that I could see how the shadows would change and create different effects.

Can I use this in my project?

I may be able to use this in my project as I plan on carrying out some shoots in the studio, but I don't know if this will suit my project more than high key lighting. I will experiment with it in terms of my theme but it may not be used to create my final images.

Low Key Beauty - Image Bank

This photographer has used blue and red gels to create a 3D effect within their photograph. They have also created this effect by capturing a slight movement of the model, making it appear slightly blurred. As the model is entirely illuminated from the front, it is clear that the lights with the colour gels and facing her from the front, not the back. I really enjoy how the light is flooding the woman entirely as it makes her appear unreal and, in a way, not human.

This image has used a diffusion filter to distort the bottom half of the image. This brings your focus entirely to the model's face. Again, the lights in this image are clearly illuminating the model from the front as the light covers her whole body. The fact that a hot pink background has been used contrasts majorly against the ice blue of the colour gel as the two colours are quite conflicting. The use of colours could connote gender stereotypes as while the woman has a background of pink, she is actually lit up in blue.

This image has also used a diffusion filter to create a blurred effect around the sides of the image. The colour gels used in this image do not appear too intense but instead add a soft glow to the image. We can see that the model in this image has a slightly darker skin tone and so the orange colour gel seems to make it warmer and brighter instead of changing it completely - like the blue colour gel.

This image is very interesting as it has used multiple flash and colour gels. It seems that an image was taken without a gel, and then a few more images were taken when the blue colour gel was over the light. This gives an airy effect to the image as it seems like blue smoke is floating around the model, but when you look closely you can see that multiple flash has been used and the blue portions of the image are actually her.

This image has used three different colour gels to create a wider distribution of colours. The different shapes and curves in her body/face means that different colours have hit different parts of her skin, creating a duo chrome effect. The way that the orange comes in from the left and hits her skin makes it seem as though there is warmth coming to her, which contrasts against the blue as it appears that her body is cold.

Low Key Beauty - Definition and Technique

Defintion

Low-key photography: A low-key image is one that contains predominantly dark tones and colours. Like high-key images, they convey atmosphere and mood. But where a high-key image feels airy and light, a low-key is usually dramatic and full of mystery.

Beauty: a combination of qualities, such as shape, colour, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.

Technique

Camera Settings: f/11, 1/125, ISO 200.

Lighting: fill light, beauty dish, background lights.

Equipment: tripod, snoot, colour gels, honeycomb grid, reflector dish.

Examples