Position:Home>Visual Arts> Do you think low key lighting works best in black and white, sepia, or color?

I'm with you!. My favourite with low key lighting is black and white; I think it's fail-proof for just about all shots!.

With sepia, my preference is a softer lighting, but I have used it in low key shoots!. In this situation, I tend to use a darker more 'chocolaty' sepia as opposed to a redder shade!.

Colour can definitely work to, but depending on the subject!. For instance, a wrinkled or forlorn face can be amazing in a low key lighting, colour comp!.

Split tone works with low key shots as well!. I like to work toward a 'bronzed' coloring with split tone (depending, of course)!. Similarly, I've also used a slight-to-mid desaturation technique!. A desat adjustment layer, let's say at about 40%, can add real drama!. Especially in texture-rich images!.

With some shots, I'll also copy the main layer apply a diffuse glow to the main layer and adjust the opacity of the top layer (usually to about 60-70%); this gives just a bit of panache!. And, a little noise (just a smidgen) can also enhance a low key shot!.

Wow! That was fun!. Great question!Www@QuestionHome@Com

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Like you said, it depends on subject matter and concept!. However, there somethings that can provide a type of guidance!. B&W inherently requires contrast in tonality along with a strong graphic quality!.

Because the eye can perceive differences in color tones where it can't in B&W tones, you can get a subtley out of low key color images that you can't out of B&W or toned images!.

For dramatic images, straight B&W!. For less dramatic images, toning can work!. For subtle images, I go with color!.

VanceWww@QuestionHome@Com

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Low key photography can make colour images appear monochromatic,very similar to black and white!.

Sepia and partial sepia usually work best with full tonal black and white images, not hight or low key!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

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