{"id":359553,"date":"2021-03-16T12:47:57","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T12:47:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/?post_type=learning-centre&#038;p=359553"},"modified":"2024-04-15T17:02:09","modified_gmt":"2024-04-15T16:02:09","slug":"using-low-key-to-create-high-drama","status":"publish","type":"learning-centre","link":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/learning-centre\/using-low-key-to-create-high-drama\/","title":{"rendered":"Using Low Key to Create High Drama"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Low-key lighting can be used in any situation. It could be a classic formal portrait with chiaroscuro lighting, a gritty environmental character study, a delicate still life dominated by shadow tones, a street figure framed in a pool of light between city skyscrapers, or even a lone tree lit by the setting sun against dark and broody clouds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whatever the subject you\u2019re photographing, this lighting style is all about applying a sense of drama, impact, and a specific mood to your pictures. In short, controlling this lighting style in the right way can put you in full control of the story you\u2019re trying to tell.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"block-image-slider image-slider limit-width is-style-learning-centre wp-block-fujifilm-image-slider\">\n\t<div class=\"image-slider__row\">\n\t\t<div class=\"image-slider__viewport\">\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"image-slider__nav image-slider__nav--prev\" aria-label=\"Previous image\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"image-slider__nav-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"image-slider__swiper swiper\"\n\t\t\tdata-loop=\"true\"\n\t\t\tdata-autoplay=\"false\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-slider__slide swiper-slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"image-slider__figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"image-slider__image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=647&#038;height=862&#038;quality=80&#038;sharpen=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"eager\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"sync\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tfetchpriority=\"high\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-above-the-fold=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"647\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"862\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=647&amp;quality=80 647w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=225&amp;height=300&amp;quality=80 225w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=365&amp;height=486&amp;quality=80 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=600&amp;height=799&amp;quality=80 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=640&amp;height=854&amp;quality=80 640w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=634&amp;height=845&amp;quality=80 634w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=148&amp;height=197&amp;quality=80 148w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=450&amp;height=600&amp;quality=80 450w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=400&amp;height=533&amp;quality=80 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=345&amp;height=459&amp;quality=80 345w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_1.jpg?width=206&amp;height=275&amp;quality=80 206w\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 647px) 100vw, 647px\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"image-slider__caption\">Photo \u00a9 Claire Rosen<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-slider__slide swiper-slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"image-slider__figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"image-slider__image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=575&#038;height=862&#038;quality=80&#038;sharpen=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"575\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"862\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=575&amp;quality=80 575w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=200&amp;height=300&amp;quality=80 200w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=365&amp;height=547&amp;quality=80 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=390&amp;height=585&amp;quality=80 390w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=564&amp;height=845&amp;quality=80 564w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=131&amp;height=197&amp;quality=80 131w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=400&amp;height=600&amp;quality=80 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=356&amp;height=533&amp;quality=80 356w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=306&amp;height=459&amp;quality=80 306w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=183&amp;height=275&amp;quality=80 183w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_2.jpg?width=480&amp;height=720&amp;quality=80 480w\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"auto, (max-width: 575px) 100vw, 575px\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"image-slider__caption\">Photo \u00a9 Rebecca Gaal<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"image-slider__nav image-slider__nav--next\" aria-label=\"Next image\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"image-slider__nav-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"image-slider__pagination swiper-pagination\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By its nature, low key means working with predominantly shadow tones in the image. Mixed with small areas of highlight, this can create strong contrast wherein the subject\u2019s shape and texture is defined in a way that regular or high-key lighting doesn\u2019t offer. In fact, low-key is the polar opposite to high-key lighting where highlights and midtones dominate and contrast tends to be lower. Low-key lighting accentuates shadows and revels in playing the subject off against them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When adding light to a picture, a low-key effect can be achieved by making sure the lighting ratio is high. A lighting ratio tells us the difference in intensity between the main (key) light source that illuminates the subject and any fill light which illuminates the shadows in a scene. The lighting ratio also indicates to us how much contrast there is in the picture. In a high-key image, where you might find multiple light sources balancing the effect of a key light, the ratio could be close to 1:1, but in a low-key image, it\u2019ll be more like 8:1.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"block-image-slider image-slider is-style-learning-centre wp-block-fujifilm-image-slider\">\n\t<div class=\"image-slider__row\">\n\t\t<div class=\"image-slider__viewport\">\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"image-slider__nav image-slider__nav--prev\" aria-label=\"Previous image\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"image-slider__nav-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"image-slider__swiper swiper\"\n\t\t\tdata-loop=\"true\"\n\t\t\tdata-autoplay=\"false\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"image-slider__slide swiper-slide\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"image-slider__figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"image-slider__image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=862&#038;height=647&#038;quality=80&#038;sharpen=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"eager\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdecoding=\"async\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-above-the-fold=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\twidth=\"862\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\theight=\"647\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=862&amp;quality=80 862w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=300&amp;height=225&amp;quality=80 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=768&amp;height=576&amp;quality=80 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=400&amp;height=300&amp;quality=80 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=365&amp;height=274&amp;quality=80 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=600&amp;height=450&amp;quality=80 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=717&amp;height=538&amp;quality=80 717w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=262&amp;height=197&amp;quality=80 262w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=710&amp;height=533&amp;quality=80 710w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=612&amp;height=459&amp;quality=80 612w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_4.jpg?width=366&amp;height=275&amp;quality=80 366w\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 862px) 100vw, 862px\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"image-slider__caption\">Photo \u00a9 Chris Knight<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"image-slider__nav image-slider__nav--next\" aria-label=\"Next image\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"image-slider__nav-icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"image-slider__pagination swiper-pagination\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Low Key as a Storytelling Tool<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As always, the important thing in creative photography is matching the lighting to your intentions for the tone and mood of the image. Though it\u2019s not impossible, low-key images are rarely humorous, light or airy. They\u2019re moodier and more mysterious. It\u2019s a style that\u2019s better employed when you want pictures to have some gravitas or solemnity. It\u2019s not one for kids\u2019 parties and high school portraits. You can practice the differences in storytelling tone simply by photographing the same subject using both low- and high-key effects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The high contrast found in low-key images makes them impactful, because bright highlights jump out of the deep shadows to catch the eye. Shadows area can also give a sense of unease. Combine this with negative space around the subject and the effect is even more unsettling. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so often used to heighten story elements in thriller and horror movies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Low-key lighting can also be used to emphasise facial contours and textures, so if the story you\u2019re going for is about deep character then it\u2019s ideal. Of course, this gives a look that would be normally considered unflattering for portraits, but if that\u2019s the tone of the image, so be it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the flipside, when appropriately filtered and directed, low-key lighting can offer simple, smooth, and elegant\u00a0looks, which add definition in the subject and can give a three-dimensional look. Low key can even create silhouettes if the light source is in the right place and not too dominant. So, once you play with the effect, you\u2019ll discover how many uses it has. It\u2019s by no means a blunt or one-dimensional tool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full limit-width\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"574\" height=\"862\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=574&#038;height=862\" alt=\"\" class=\" wp-image-359550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=574 574w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=200&amp;height=300 200w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=365&amp;height=548 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=390&amp;height=585 390w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=563&amp;height=845 563w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=131&amp;height=197 131w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=400&amp;height=601 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=355&amp;height=533 355w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=306&amp;height=459 306w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=183&amp;height=275 183w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_5.jpg?width=480&amp;height=720 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 574px) 100vw, 574px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo \u00a9 Bobbi Lane<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Improve Your Low-Light Technique<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To create better low-key images, you need to get comfortable in finding available light that\u2019s highly directional and which creates shadows \u2013 or in setting up your own lights to produce the same effect. When working with your own illumination, for instance for a portrait or still-life image, low-key effects often use just a single light, possibly with a reflector or a very low-powered fill or hair light to help add definition. If it\u2019s available light you\u2019re dealing with, windows and doorways can do the trick, but any light sources that channel the illumination and produce strong areas of shadow will help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To contrast with the subject, the background will tend to be in shadow, but just as high-key lighting isn\u2019t necessarily reliant on a white backdrop, low-key pictures are not defined by having a black backdrop. With lights properly positioned, and without light falling on it, an unlit background should create enough contrast with a correctly lit subject to work. So, when adding light yourself, say with strobes or LEDs, modifiers like spill kills, barn doors, honeycombs or snoots can all help. When working with available light, it can be more about moving your subject within the light to perfect the look, but narrowing curtains or doors can help, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The position of the light, or the subject\u2019s angle to it, is important in creating contrast. More oblique angles are used than in high-key lighting, making it easier to create shadows. If the subject is lit too broadly, contrast is harder to achieve, and you also risk lighting the background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether it\u2019s artificial or available light, try using the edges of the illumination, too. This keeps the light directional, but also softens it for a more attractive look, if that\u2019s what your image needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-full\"><img data-preload-after-window-load=\"preload\" data-preload-delay=\"300\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"862\" height=\"575\" src=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=862&#038;height=575\" alt=\"\" class=\" wp-image-359551\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=862 862w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=300&amp;height=200 300w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=768&amp;height=512 768w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=400&amp;height=267 400w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=365&amp;height=243 365w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=600&amp;height=400 600w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=717&amp;height=478 717w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=295&amp;height=197 295w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=800&amp;height=533 800w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=688&amp;height=459 688w, https:\/\/fujifilm-x.b-cdn.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/EXPOSURE-CENTER_Using-Low-Key-to-Create-High-Drama_6.jpg?width=412&amp;height=275 412w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 862px) 100vw, 862px\" data-recalc-dims=\"1\" \/>\n<figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo \u00a9 Alison Conklin <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Work on Your Low-Key Exposures<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finally, remember that low-key lighting is not to be confused with pictures that are simply dark or underexposed: a dim image isn\u2019t low key \u2013 it\u2019s just dim. What you need is that mix of shadow and highlight, even if the former vastly outweighs the latter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/products\/cameras\/\">X Series<\/a> camera\u2019s EVF or LCD screen is great for low light, because it shows exactly the exposure you\u2019ll get in the final image. But try using features like the live histogram to check that the tones are bunched to the left \u2013\u00a0but that you have some highlights in the image, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Create great impact in your pictures with some clever use of low-key lighting <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":181,"featured_media":359552,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"subheading":"Create great impact in your pictures with some clever use of low-key lighting"},"content-category":[],"content-level":[13979],"class_list":["post-359553","learning-centre","type-learning-centre","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","content-level-advanced"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/learning-centre\/359553","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/learning-centre"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/learning-centre"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/181"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/359552"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=359553"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=359553"},{"taxonomy":"content-level","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fujifilm-x.com\/en-gb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-level?post=359553"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}