Low-Key Lighting

Is one of the main lighting styles used in filmmaking and is characterized by strong contrasts between well-lit and shady areas. In low-key lighting, contrasts of this type are typically achieved by using a strong key light with accompanying hard light quality. In addition, little or no fill light is set in order to create a dramatic or mysterious effect. Low-key lighting is often associated with the film noir genre. For related information, read the entries concerning high-key lighting, chiaroscuro and film noir.