Low key examples?

[Kiara]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping to find an answer to complete a task: I have to (quote from the brief I have) "Photograph a scene that has dark tones throughout, and rich deep shadows in it. Avoid photographing bright objects or scenes that are brightly lit. This means that your scene should be predominately dark to mid- toned, with most areas being no brighter than the middle of the RGB scale". So my tutor wants a low key photograph, but not the type you create by having everything dark and one subject lit by artificial lights etc.
I've been looking around for days (on internet but also walking around my city for inspiration), but I still have no idea of what an image of this type might be.

Does anyone have suggestions/examples/tips?

Thank you:-)

[Shadowman]

How about a darkened stairwell or an abandoned warehouse?

[HaseebM]

Hi Kiara, welcome to C&C. Try to complete your full profile details like location etc., In reply to your question, not sure but would a landscape at sunset help? or perhaps a cave or inside of a museum or chapel using slightly longer exposures? I am sure experienced members will chime in though.

[Venser]

Here are a couple from my portfolio:




Here's a link to a winning image of some random online competition.
http://www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=958596

CS

[Mike Buckley]

The photo below of a roll of gaffer's tape, which is made in color, meets all of your tutor's criteria though perhaps to the extreme. Though the second photo includes a "bright object" (the candle flame), it meets all of the criteria regarding the tones. Notice that their respective histograms also prove that the two photos meet the criteria.


Photo 1


Histogram of Photo 1



Photo 2



Histogram of Photo 2

[rpcrowe]

Here are some examples of low key imagery

https://www.google.com/search?q=low+...w=1097&bih=539

[xpatUSA]

Hi everyone,

. . . ." Photograph a scene that has dark tones throughout, and rich deep shadows in it. Avoid photographing bright objects or scenes that are brightly lit. This means that your scene should be predominately dark to mid- toned, with most areas being no brighter than the middle of the RGB scale". So my tutor wants a low key photograph, but not the type you create by having everything dark and one subject lit by artificial lights etc.

From the criteria, a candle-lit scene springs to mind. The candle could be included because it says "most" areas no brighter than mid-RGB. Or equally, a street lit by street lamps, provided the lamps are far enough away. A brightly moon-lit scene which could include the moon or not?

In any case, bracketing would be advisable.

My 2 cents worth . . .

[William W]

. . .I have to (quote from the brief I have) "Photograph a scene that has dark tones throughout, and rich deep shadows in it. Avoid photographing bright objects or scenes that are brightly lit. This means that your scene should be predominately dark to mid- toned, with most areas being no brighter than the middle of the RGB scale". So my tutor wants a low key photograph, but not the type you create by having everything dark and one subject lit by artificial lights etc.
I've been looking around for days (on internet but also walking around my city for inspiration), but I still have no idea of what an image of this type might be.

I think it is an erroneous assumption that you cannot have one Subject lit by artificial light. I think this might be limiting you.

It occurs to me that the Portrait by Venser in Post #4 shows this point adequately, but, for clarity look at these two examples:

Example 1:



This conforms to all the criteria in the brief and it is a picture of one single subject light by one down-light in an hallway:

***

Example #2




This also conforms to all the criteria in the brief and it is a picture of a scene which is backlit light by one artificial TV Broadcast Gantry Light:

***

As for other examples to get you thinking – hard side sunlight around dawn or dusk can provide you with a range of shooting scenarios and here are two examples:

Summer Sun


Winter Sun:


*

Also, as already mentioned, a Subject illuminated by a Street Light at night, can also be wonderful:




WW

[tclune]

Perhaps a blue hour landscape?

[tao2]

Very low key...?




Olympus 35RC @ f2.8/ 1/30th + Ilford XP2 400. Focused on the big flood just showing at the top.