High and Low Key Lighting

In Cinematography class this week we have been learning about lighting.  Lighting can be used to set the tone and enhance the mood of a scene, so is quite an important consideration when thinking about the visual style of your films.  Two styles of lighting are High and Low Key Lighting

High Key Lighting:

• bright
• lack of shadows
• low contrast
• lighting ratios are small, reduced

High Key Lighting was used commercially in early TV as film stock couldn't handle high contrast, and it is now commonly used in Comedy and Musicals.  Used in the TV series Friends, high key lighting helps to enhance the lightheartedness of the series, and the lighting is consistent across the different locations and scenes.

High Key Lighting in Friends

High Key Lighting in Friends

The short film Apricot (2010) uses a mix of High and Low Key Lighting across its scenes.  During the flashbacks there is a predominant use of  High Key Lighting which differentiates the past and present time (also a soft focus and colour grading further enhances this).  High Key Lighting gives these scenes a sense of innocence.  The difference is subtle as some contrast is maintained so this isn't the most obvious example, but one that I felt used changes in lighting style well.  

High Key Lighting. Apricot (2010)

Low Key Lighting. Apricot (2010)

 Low Key Lighting:

• Lots of shadows
•  Strong Contrasts
• Dark, often highlights show form
• Lighting Ratio is large (eg 8:1)
• Chiaroscuro - the use of strong contrasts between light and dark, usually bold contrast affecting a whole composition

Often used for dramatic effect. In the animated film Sebastian's Voodoo (2009), low key lighting enhances the dramatic, somber mood of the film.  By leaving the man in shadow we find him sinister and very quickly recognize him as the villain of this story.  It gives the man an ominous appearance which enhances our emotional connection to the Voodoo dolls.        

Sebastian's Voodoo. (2009)