High-key and Low-key Lighting
Task 1: High key lighting http://youtu.be/sUvkWkxFb2M < A video showing a great example of High Key lighting, it really help’s understand how it works J
High key lighting is simply more filler light which is used to make photographs look more realistic such as picture 5. It clearly shows her body position and face expression, which is why the high key lighting is used, as it has a happy looking lady which therefore should be shown with realistic use of lighting. The shadow shown in picture 5 is also realistic, rather than gloomy and dark.
Low key lighting is simply used to create strong contrasts of light and creates dramatic shadows. For example picture 2 is focused on her face and all around there’s a black background creating a dramatic effect. Low-Key lighting with top lighting which allows the audience to see the facial expression of the protagonist, making the picture seem mysterious. Furthermore the picture shows her holding a Fag which shows how she’s being unhealthy and dominant as she face’s upwards which can empathises to a number of things; power, disagreement, beauty, anger .
The pictures which I suggest show top lighting, which is simply light that comes from above used to make a character look more glamorous, is pictures 2, 4.This is because both of those pictures represent stars, as picture 2 makes the women look glamorous and aims to only show her in the picture with the use of low key lighting, makes her stand out. And picture 4 is a low angel shot, with again the use of low key lighting which help make him look powerful and like a hero.
Furthermore another type of lighting is back lighting, used in the pictures; 7,10,1. This is to create a silhouette of the characters in the pictures for example picture 1 mainly shows her outline and the shadow of the smoke as the light is coming from the back it is making the image have the touch of suspense, and making the actress look mysterious. As the lighting makes the effect of the smoke look closer to the camera, going across the characters face.
Picture 7 has the effect of back lighting making the four people in the picture stand out as it shows there outline of the body, however doesn’t show the face. The back lighting creates shadows of the characters making them seem powerful. Last but not least image 10 is also a low angel shot making the character in the picture look powerful. The backlighting creates the effect of darkness all around the character in the picture but makes the character himself stand out and makes him look strong and powerful as the camera angel makes the person looking at the picture feel as if they are looking up to him making him seem powerful.
IMAGE 1- the effect created in image one is mysteriousness which is from the use of back lighting making the character stand out and show more light on one side of her face than the other.
IMAGE 2- the effect of image 2 is that it makes the character look dominant and makes her stand out with the use of low key lighting. Makes her seem special as the light is focused on her and everything else around her is black.
IMAGE 3- the effect of image 3 is that it is a medium shot making the character stand out showing his body position from his head to just about under this shoulders. This picture has high key lighting, making him stand out from the background, look powerful and show’s his facial expression.
IMAGE 4- the effect of image 4 is that it has low key lighting, low angel shot, and top lighting which putting together makes the character in the picture look powerful and makes him seem like hero.
IMAGE 5 – the effect of image 5 is that it’s a high key lighting used which makes the character and her shadow shown in the picture seem more realistic. And the contract between her and her shadow (white and dark) makes the image seem more dramatic, as her facial expression seems terrified. This helps emphasise that she is terrified and the realistic use of shadow from the lighting makes the character look real as well as serious.
IMAGE 6- the effect of lighting used in image 6, makes the picture look more romantic and cute. As the light is shown coming from blinds and the shadow created by the blinds on the male’s face; makes the picture look natural and flows with the mood it creates.
IMAGE 7 – the effect created in this image is from the use of back lighting making the characters seem more powerful as it creates a silhouette.
IMAGE 8- the effect created in image 8, makes the person looking at the image sense horror, dangerous. As the image shows the characters facial expression with the use of back lighting leaving an effective shadow.
IMAGE 9- the effect of image 9 makes people feel sorry for the character as she is holding her hands together looking up with her eyes closes, creating the feeling of sadness and denial. This is from the use of High key lighting which shows the charters facial expression and body position.
IMAGE 10- the effect of image 10 is that it makes the character seem strong and powerful with the use of low angle shot, low key lighting, and back lighting creating the effect of dramatic shadow, and makes the image look like horror as the image includes stairs and a door from where the character is standing, making it seem as if he will come for you.
IMAGE 11- the effect created it image 10 seems to show love and romance but in a old fashion way, what I mean by this is that the use of lighting creates no effects such as shadows or pacific face expressions, However the image use’s High key lighting making it look just realistic. This can empathise to true love.