High-Key Lighting

One of the main lighting styles used in filmmaking and often associated with the bright overall lighting that is best known from sitcoms and ballroom scenes. High-key lighting is characterized by a small ratio between the key light and fill light. Normally, it is used in combination with soft light to create a pleasant atmosphere, which produces low contrasts between lit and shady areas. High-key lighting can also be useful for creating positive moods at night, or when used in combination with hard light sources, to create a cold and sterile atmosphere. For related information, read the entry concerning low-key lighting.