low key

i keep getting asked how i manage the light in my low key desperate measures shot... so this is sort of my set up... generally using late afternoon light shining thru the window... and then there's a black backdrop on the floor... the subject is placed in the patch of light and the camera is on the floor at whatever shutter speed i decide will work best...

i do my basic editing from RAW in LR... and one key trick is to lower (rather than increase) clarity... this gives the light a softer, more diffuse quality...

then convert to B&W in nik silver fx... for this series of shots, i will generally use one of the high dynamic range presets, or the full spectrum presets... i will also play with the colour filters... red or green usually yielding the best results with the light...

then back to LR where i edit the light into submission... making sure the blacks are truly black, and that there's only just a hint of true white... adding a bit of clarity in certain parts if i think it's warranted.... and blacking out whole areas of light if i feel they are too distracting to the eye...

i think that's it...

edited to add: sometimes i use a mirror to bounce the light off and reflect back at the front of the subject...

oh, and for those who are wondering, my egg shot from last week was shot mid afternoon and the sun was quite high and bright... and i think that's why i really wasn't happy with the end result... it's just a bit too glaring...

[Dianna Coile]

Thanks for sharing you technique. Fav

[TR]

Thank you for that explanation, I had no idea. My desk looks like the one in the picture. I have to be honest that was the first thing that caught my eye.

[☠northy]

@trm how on earth can you even tell what my desk looks like? It's covered in a gazillion years worth of clutter ;p

[Marta]

Kudos to you @northy for sharing your tricks. You rock!!

[Lindy]

Thanks for sharing...I have struggled trying to get low key...will try this.

[Sally Ings]

Thanks for sharing this. Low key has confused me for so long. Unfortunately I don't have the Nik suite but I shall still give it a go.

[Kim]

Thanks for the info!

[Graeme Stevens]

Playing with the clarity has been the downfall of some of my low key shots, but I got there in the end by having a few "I wonder if" moments (who read the instructions...)

[Sue]

Thank you for sharing your techniques with us, that is really interesting. I like the idea of editing the light into submission! I was surprised to find that you used window light, it sounds so simple but am sure it is not.. Interested too that you use the nik suite too. Something I know about but haven't tried yet.

[Joan Robillard]

I really want to play with this but my sister is staying in my "studio" right now. I just copied the description you give into my 365 photo so I can play with this after I get my studio back. Meanwhile I will play in the sunshine. We all have to make sacrifices for family. LOL

[Nancy]

I always wonder about that bs and how you did it...thanks for sharing!

[Nancy]

Not bs..ha. Bw!

[Jo]

I've always loved your low key b&w shots, thanks for sharing your method.

[Susan]

Me too, love your low key shots!

[Gillian]

[Gillian]

oops ... totally love your low keys, Trying to take pointers .. but not yet so far .... keeping trying

[Carla]

Thanks for the insight into how you create your shots. That's really helpful to a newby like me x

[Barbara Webb]

thanks so much for sharing, I always enjoy your low key photos!

[Rachel]

Thanks so much for sharing your tips and tricks. You always get the lighting so nice.

[Clare Gadsby]

Thanks so much Northy for all those tips. I may understand them all one day ;) Obviously Silver FX is on the long list of items that I must have

[Call me Joe]

Fabulous capture.

[Bill Fenske]

Thanks for sharing. I've also found that playing with the clarity slider improves some images.

[Je77rey]

Cool shot