What is Low Key Lighting — Definition, Examples in Photo & Film

What is low key lighting

First, let’s define low key lighting

Before jumping into the effects and examples, it is fundamental to define low-key lighting first. The low-key lighting definition is key to understanding how the visual aesthetic of the lighting style is achieved.

There is a direct relationship between the definition and how it makes an audience feel.

Low key lighting film noir

The Chiaroscuro Effect

Although this lighting specifically pertains to photography and film, the elements of low-key lighting can be found in the art world as far back as the Renaissance through the chiaroscuro effect.

Chiaroscuro is the use of high contrast between light and dark which can be found in various mediums from paintings to photography to film. 

Artists such as Rembrandt developed the technique in their paintings which have gone on to influence cinematographers and different techniques in filmmaking such as Rembrandt lighting. 

As film evolved in the '40s and '50s, this lighting became a defining element of Film Noir. The black and white cinematography of film noir utilized this type of lighting to enhance the dramatic and mysterious tones of the genre’s films. 

This video by Now You See It breaks down how the black and white low-key cinematography of film noir enhances the films’ storytelling.

Note how the shots covered in the video utilize shadows, contrasts, and dark tones. All of these are characteristics of this lighting. What is low key lighting evolved into as film continued to evolve into the era of color? 

The low-key lighting style that helped define film noir continued to influence future filmmakers not only because of how this lighting looks, but because of how it feels.

Low key lighting effect

Purpose of low key lighting

Just as film noir utilized this high contrast lighting to enhance the mysteriousness of a scene or film, cinematographers recently have used it to accentuate the drama of a story. The harsh shadows and deep dark tones of low-key lighting can be found in thrillers, dramas, and horror films. 

We brought in some of our favorite stills into StudioBinder’s storyboard creator to analyze the effects and purpose of this lighting. Note that whether you have seen the film or not, there is a lot of information on the tone of the film solely based on the lighting style of the shot.

Even though many of the shots have different frames, color temperatures, angles, and even genres, all utilize this technique to enhance the mood of each scene. Contrary to the airy and cheerful mood of high-key lighting, low-key lighting brings out the more serious tone of a film. 

Whether that film is scary, suspenseful, mysterious, dark, or dramatic, this type of lighting underscores that serious tone. If your story has a more dramatic tone and calls for a low-key light setup, here are a few tips to execute the style.

What is low key lighting made from?

How to achieve low-key lighting

This lighting style heavily relies on controlling your key light and limiting your ambient light. Oftentimes, cinematographers and gaffers only use a strong key light to create harsh shadows with minimal fill or ambient light. This results in more shadows and dark tones. 

However, this can lead to a very flat image depending on your shot. Cinematographers will often try to include a little bit of fill light to create dimension and depth.

This fill light is highly out powered by the key light with a typical light ratio of 8:1 favoring the key light. Check out this video that does in depth into more tips and steps to a low-key lighting setup.