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**Oktyabr** · 04-06-2019, 04:24 PM - **4 Likes**

Broke out the trusty M50 f1.7 for this one:

Last edited by Oktyabr; 04-06-2019 at 04:32 PM.

aaacb · 04-06-2019, 04:49 PM - **2 Likes**

I'm aware the background is bright magenta

**Oktyabr** · 04-06-2019, 05:29 PM

Originally posted by aaacb

I'm aware the background is bright magenta

I like it! Maybe we should change the name of the thread to "Low key, high key" ?

aaacb · 04-06-2019, 05:37 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Oktyabr

I like it! Maybe we should change the name of the thread to "Low key, high key" ?

Thanks! But is it high key? I posted it here because, aside from the background, the drummer is lit low key (no direct light). I mostly interpret this type as the subject isn't lit directly (by the key light), thoughts about what "low key" means? If it also includes dark backgrounds (as most other posts in this thread have) then yes, maybe bright magenta is a stretch

**Oktyabr** · 04-06-2019, 06:02 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by aaacb

Thanks! But is it high key? I posted it here because, aside from the background, the drummer is lit low key (no direct light). I mostly interpret this type as the subject isn't lit directly (by the key light), thoughts about what "low key" means? If it also includes dark backgrounds (as most other posts in this thread have) then yes, maybe bright magenta is a stretch

No, I'm certainly no expert on the subject. I just always thought that high key tended to have a bright background and the subject was mostly in shadow or silhouette, where in low key a dark background (or shadows) tend to highlight the subject to a degree. I like it pretty well, regardless, and I couldn't easily change the title of the thread anyway!

This is what I think of as "high key" (one of my few personal example shots). In both cases, what I find appealing is the breaking of the rules! That is, that an image doesn't have to be a "perfect exposure", edge to edge, to be striking, creative and thought provoking.

**Oktyabr** · 04-09-2019, 01:11 PM - **2 Likes**

OK, so I got it all wrong! That's what I get for not reading the definition. :P "High-key lighting is usually quite homogeneous and free from dark shadows." Low key is obviously the opposite of that. ~sigh~

So, anyway... "low key" then (?), made in Darktable. Massive amount of PP to push the exposure out to the extremes:

DeKay · 04-12-2019, 11:00 AM - **6 Likes**

**Oktyabr** · 04-12-2019, 12:24 PM

I really like that! The light coming through the mesh provides a rather unique look.

**Oktyabr** · 04-20-2019, 06:08 AM - **1 Like**

"Circles" was the theme for the month at my local photo group. I took this one the night of the showing. I guess I should have dusted first!!!

Bunch · 04-20-2019, 07:50 AM - **2 Likes**

my first attempt at low key, with an A 50 1.4

IMGP9249

**Oktyabr** · 04-20-2019, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by Bunch

my first attempt at low key, with an A 50 1.4

IMGP9249

Nice job! And welcome to the thread! Is that with off camera flash or?

Bunch · 04-20-2019, 12:32 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Oktyabr

Nice job! And welcome to the thread! Is that with off camera flash or?

Thanks! No flash. Window light and then lightroom pp.

**Oktyabr** · 04-21-2019, 06:38 PM - **3 Likes**

Another lowkey shot but instead of using a flash to overpower the ambient light, I did a 10 second exposure and "light painted" with a small pocket flashlight. First time trying this technique! X-posted with the 18-135 lens thread.

**Oktyabr** · 06-30-2019, 05:50 PM - **2 Likes**

Love my new gear head even though I don't have the tripod for it yet!
K1ii + D FA 28-105. X-post with "B&W Monochrome" thread:

jcdoss · 11-20-2019, 11:13 AM - **1 Like**

Machinery
K-1 Ltd Silver, K15f3.5

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04-06-2019, 04:24 PM - 4 Likes	#31
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389 Original Poster	Broke out the trusty M50 f1.7 for this one: Last edited by Oktyabr; 04-06-2019 at 04:32 PM.

04-06-2019, 04:49 PM - 2 Likes	#32
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,726	I'm aware the background is bright magenta

04-06-2019, 05:29 PM	#33
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389 Original Poster	Originally posted by aaacb I'm aware the background is bright magenta I like it! Maybe we should change the name of the thread to "Low key, high key" ?

04-06-2019, 05:37 PM - 1 Like	#34
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,726	Originally posted by Oktyabr I like it! Maybe we should change the name of the thread to "Low key, high key" ? Thanks! But is it high key? I posted it here because, aside from the background, the drummer is lit low key (no direct light). I mostly interpret this type as the subject isn't lit directly (by the key light), thoughts about what "low key" means? If it also includes dark backgrounds (as most other posts in this thread have) then yes, maybe bright magenta is a stretch

04-06-2019, 06:02 PM - 2 Likes	#35
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389 Original Poster	Originally posted by aaacb Thanks! But is it high key? I posted it here because, aside from the background, the drummer is lit low key (no direct light). I mostly interpret this type as the subject isn't lit directly (by the key light), thoughts about what "low key" means? If it also includes dark backgrounds (as most other posts in this thread have) then yes, maybe bright magenta is a stretch No, I'm certainly no expert on the subject. I just always thought that high key tended to have a bright background and the subject was mostly in shadow or silhouette, where in low key a dark background (or shadows) tend to highlight the subject to a degree. I like it pretty well, regardless, and I couldn't easily change the title of the thread anyway! This is what I think of as "high key" (one of my few personal example shots). In both cases, what I find appealing is the breaking of the rules! That is, that an image doesn't have to be a "perfect exposure", edge to edge, to be striking, creative and thought provoking.

04-09-2019, 01:11 PM - 2 Likes	#36
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389 Original Poster	OK, so I got it all wrong! That's what I get for not reading the definition. :P "High-key lighting is usually quite homogeneous and free from dark shadows." Low key is obviously the opposite of that. ~sigh~ So, anyway... "low key" then (?), made in Darktable. Massive amount of PP to push the exposure out to the extremes:

04-12-2019, 11:00 AM - 6 Likes	#37
DeKay Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Albums Posts: 208

04-12-2019, 12:24 PM	#38
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389 Original Poster	I really like that! The light coming through the mesh provides a rather unique look.

04-20-2019, 06:08 AM - 1 Like	#39
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389 Original Poster	"Circles" was the theme for the month at my local photo group. I took this one the night of the showing. I guess I should have dusted first!!!

04-20-2019, 07:50 AM - 2 Likes	#40
Bunch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 283	my first attempt at low key, with an A 50 1.4 IMGP9249

04-20-2019, 11:25 AM	#41
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389 Original Poster	Originally posted by Bunch my first attempt at low key, with an A 50 1.4 IMGP9249 Nice job! And welcome to the thread! Is that with off camera flash or?

04-20-2019, 12:32 PM - 1 Like	#42
Bunch Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 283	Originally posted by Oktyabr Nice job! And welcome to the thread! Is that with off camera flash or? Thanks! No flash. Window light and then lightroom pp.

04-21-2019, 06:38 PM - 3 Likes	#43
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389 Original Poster	Another lowkey shot but instead of using a flash to overpower the ambient light, I did a 10 second exposure and "light painted" with a small pocket flashlight. First time trying this technique! X-posted with the 18-135 lens thread.

06-30-2019, 05:50 PM - 2 Likes	#44
Oktyabr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2018 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 389 Original Poster	Love my new gear head even though I don't have the tripod for it yet! K1ii + D FA 28-105. X-post with "B&W Monochrome" thread:

11-20-2019, 11:13 AM - 1 Like	#45
jcdoss Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ingelheim am Rhein, Germany Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,801	Machinery K-1 Ltd Silver, K15f3.5

Thematic Low Key photography

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