{"id":3423,"date":"2021-02-03T14:33:26","date_gmt":"2021-02-03T14:33:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/?p=3423"},"modified":"2022-05-26T12:06:45","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T12:06:45","slug":"high-key-lighting-vs-low-key-lighting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/blog\/high-key-lighting-vs-low-key-lighting\/","title":{"rendered":"High Key vs. Low Key Lighting"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What\u2019s the difference between high key and low key lighting? What do these lighting techniques bring to your filmmaking? When should you use high key vs. low key lighting? And how do you create them? If you\u2019ve ever wondered anything about high key or low key lighting, we\u2019re here for you. We\u2019ll explain how to recognize a high key vs. a low key scene, when you should make use of high key or low key lighting setups, and how to go about doing it.<\/p>\n<h2>What is high key lighting?<\/h2>\n<p><video class=\"player\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/media\/kyiishpx\/22123_boxer_punching_a_punching_bag_in_boxing_gym_by_omri_ohana_artgrid-hd_h264-hd_4.mp4\" preload=\"none\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"\" controls=\"controls\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/video><\/p>\n<p>High key lighting describes a setup where the tones in your scene are predominantly white and very light. A high key-lit scene will be bright with very few midtones and almost no blacks in it at all. There will be some blacks, for example, the pupils of people\u2019s eyes, but not many. Anything that is usually in the midtones will show up as lighter than normal. Take a look at the histogram of a scene shot with high key lighting, and the data will be positioned almost entirely toward the right.<\/p>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3428 size-full\" src="\&quot;https:\/\/artlist.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/c75af64c07bfd86a033770c089be8bfb90d17506.png\&quot;" alt=\"historgram of lowkry lighting\" width=\"435\" height=\"227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/c75af64c07bfd86a033770c089be8bfb90d17506.png 435w, https:\ \ new-blog.artlist.io\ blog\ wp-content\ uploads\ 2021\ 02\ c75af64c07bfd86a033770c089be8bfb90d17506-300x157.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 435px) 100vw, 435px\" \ /><\/p>\n<p>Low contrast lighting, with minimal shadows, defines high key scenes. You will not see much of a transition from light to dark because the scene is mostly lights and whites, with very few darks. If you were to describe the\u00a0<a href="\&quot;https:\/\/artlist.io\/blog\/hard-light-vs-soft-light\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">quality of light<\/a>\u00a0in a high key scene, it would be soft, enveloping and free from shadows.<\/p>\n<p>When you expose for high key lighting in film, don\u2019t be afraid of the very brightest areas of the scene being completely washed-out. And it\u2019s not a failing to have some midtones and backs, too. But the overwhelming sense should be of intense lightness.<\/p>\n<h2>When to use of high key lighting<\/h2>\n<p><video class=\"player\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/media\/l51ha112\/22123_boxer_punching_a_punching_bag_in_boxing_gym_by_omri_ohana_artgrid-hd_h264-hd_3.mp4\" preload=\"none\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"\" controls=\"controls\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/video><\/p>\n<p>This intensely light, very bright setting has a feeling of positivity and airiness. Low-contrast lighting is usually associated with a romantic look but is also good for filming children or videos aimed at children. It\u2019s also recommended for food videos, advertisements and anything associated with health, fitness or beauty. High key lighting in film will give everything you shoot a bright and bouncy feeling.<\/p>\n<h2>What is low key lighting?<\/h2>\n<p><video class=\"player\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/media\/jixds3ig\/22123_boxer_punching_a_punching_bag_in_boxing_gym_by_omri_ohana_artgrid-hd_h264-hd.mp4\" preload=\"none\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"\" controls=\"controls\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/video><\/p>\n<p>As you might have guessed from the name, low key lighting is the opposite of high key lighting. Low key-lit scenes are tonally very muted and feature lots of blacks, darks and shadows. There will not be many midtones in a scene with low key lighting. What you are looking at here is high contrast lighting. Whatever you use to bring light to the scene will form a very stark contrast with the predominant darks and shadows.<\/p>\n<p>A histogram from a scene shot with low key light will have its data concentrated toward the left of the graph.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-3429 size-full\" src="\&quot;https:\/\/artlist.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/9966322bd048d8053875f5cebf0c03ad4c9e79db.png\&quot;" alt=\"histogram of highkey lighting\" width=\"428\" height=\"224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/9966322bd048d8053875f5cebf0c03ad4c9e79db.png 428w, https:\ \ new-blog.artlist.io\ blog\ wp-content\ uploads\ 2021\ 02\ 9966322bd048d8053875f5cebf0c03ad4c9e79db-300x157.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 428px) 100vw, 428px\" \ /><\/p>\n<h2>When to use low key lighting<\/h2>\n<p>The darkness that low key lighting brings to a scene can be used with a variety of interpretations. The most obvious feelings that it conveys are probably fear, intimidation or menace. When things are dark and shadowy, they are scary. But, low key light can also convey a more subdued tone, so it does not necessarily suggest foreboding, rather melancholy or contemplation.<\/p>\n<p><video class=\"player\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/media\/j3qcomgn\/22123_boxer_punching_a_punching_bag_in_boxing_gym_by_omri_ohana_artgrid-hd_h264-hddd.mp4\" preload=\"none\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"\" controls=\"controls\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/video><\/p>\n<p>You can also use low key lite romantically or alluringly. It\u2019s a useful means of leaving more to your viewers\u2019 imaginations than you might want to reveal on a screen. Low key doesn\u2019t have to be reserved for impending disaster or terror. Campfires can be atmospheric and fun, and candles or fairy lights have an air of romance about them.<\/p>\n<h2>How to create high key lighting<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s best to keep everything in a high key shoot light and bright. You want light backgrounds, light clothing and light props.<\/p>\n<p>Inevitably, high key lighting requires a lot of light. Having a good knowledge of the\u00a0<a href="\&quot;https:\/\/artlist.io\/blog\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-3-point-lighting-setup\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">3-point lighting setup<\/a>\u00a0is a solid starting point, one of the recommended setups for\u00a0<a href="\&quot;https:\/\/artlist.io\/blog\/lighting-youtube-videos-a-beginners-guide\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lighting YouTube videos<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><video class=\"player\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/media\/oz0nm5ps\/22123_boxer_punching_a_punching_bag_in_boxing_gym_by_omri_ohana_artgrid-hd_h264-hd_6.mp4\" preload=\"none\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"\" controls=\"controls\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/video><\/p>\n<p>When you set up your lights for a high key scene, think \u2018shadowless.\u2019 You will need a huge softbox as your key light that produces lots of soft, even light with as few shadows as possible. Some people recommend positioning it directly above your camera, others at 30 degrees to it. You get to decide what you prefer here, and remember, it\u2019s not a case of choosing one and sticking with it for every high key scene that you ever shoot. You can change it depending on what and who you are shooting and the look you are trying to achieve.<\/p>\n<p>Next, you will need at least one fill light to help counteract any shadows created by the key light. A reflector or two can be very useful, as well.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, you will need to light the background. Two lights are best. White light is a solid starting place, but washing the background in pastel tones can help create a mood in your video, too.<\/p>\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"186\" class=\"elementor elementor-186\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b6940b6 elementor-section-full_width cta-middle external elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b6940b6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ae3297b\" data-id=\"ae3297b\" data-element_type=\"column\" 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9.48966Z\" fill=\"#FFDA2A\"><\/path><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M3.43194 1.08203H5.20549L8.62975 8.48334V9.85765C7.24776 9.91907 5.80435 9.94979 4.31487 9.94979C2.8254 9.94979 1.38199 9.91907 0 9.85765V8.48334L3.43194 1.08203ZM1.90407 8.39121C2.71023 8.41424 3.51639 8.42192 4.31487 8.42192C5.12103 8.42192 5.92719 8.40657 6.72567 8.39121L4.31487 3.18572L1.90407 8.39121Z\" fill=\"#FFDA2A\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-509c078 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"509c078\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b63c6db\" data-id=\"b63c6db\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-88ef02d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"88ef02d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Get unlimited royalty-free 4K footage<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-90a8615\" data-id=\"90a8615\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element 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elementor-widget-mobile__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1816319\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href="\&quot;https:\/\/artlist.io\/page\/pricing\/max\&quot;">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Pricing<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<h2>How to create low key lighting<\/h2>\n<p>There can be a bit of stigma around low key lighting with the assumption that it\u2019s just badly lit or underexposed. This isn\u2019t true. Low key light and underexposure are different things. Low key lighting in film should bring a distinct feeling to a piece: high contrast lighting.<\/p>\n<p><video class=\"player\" tabindex=\"0\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/new-blog.artlist.io\/media\/yuhnazyf\/22123_boxer_punching_a_punching_bag_in_boxing_gym_by_omri_ohana_artgrid-hd_h264-hd_2.mp4\" preload=\"none\" loop=\"loop\" muted=\"\" controls=\"controls\" width=\"100%\" height=\"150\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/video><\/p>\n<p>When it comes to low key vs. high key lighting setups, the difference is in the number of lights you need. We have outlined some recommended\u00a0<a href="\&quot;https:\/\/artlist.io\/blog\/tips-for-getting-better-lighting-for-your-youtube-videos\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">lighting setups for YouTube videos<\/a>\u00a0here, but for low key, you can get away with one very carefully positioned light in your scene. Avoid spilling any light onto your background, and if you can, make sure the background is dark, too. In some circumstances, ambient light will be exactly what you need.<\/p>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>To wrap up, high key vs. low key lighting is low contrast vs. high contrast lighting. High key will give an optimistic and upbeat feeling to a film. Low key, on the other hand, is much more subdued. It might be menacing, or it could be contemplative. When it comes to gear, you can create an effective low key lighting setup with very few light sources or\u00a0<a href="\&quot;https:\/\/artlist.io\/blog\/5-tips-for-using-small-lights-on-a-set\/\&quot;" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">small LED lights<\/a>. A high key-lit scene, on the other hand, will require much more gear. However, it doesn\u2019t matter whether you choose high key or low key lighting in your plan. It\u2019s whatever is best for your storytelling.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What\u2019s the difference between high key and low key lighting? What do these lighting techniques bring to your filmmaking? When should you use high key vs. low key lighting? 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