The Flash Centre - No 3 - Low Key Head Shot

Categories
Our Products
Lighting
Digital Photography
Accessories
Computer peripherals
Special Offers
Clearance
Video and Cinematography
Used Equipment
Looking To Learn?
On-Line Demos
TFC Events Calendar
Training Courses
Rentals
Terms And Conditions
Try Before You Buy
Rental Department FAQ
About Us
Who are we?
Store Locations Opening Hours and Contact Details
Despatch and Delivery
Business Accounts
Contact Us
Ask a question
Report an error
Blogs
Colleges and Universities
Terms&Conditions and Privacy Policy
Downloads
Account Application Forms
Brochures
Links
Price Lists
Spec. Sheets
Follow Us
Repairs+Spares
Spare Parts
TFC Repair Department FAQ
Careers

Home > Looking To Learn? > On-Line Demos > Bjorn's Tips > No 3 - Low Key Head Shot

No 3 - Low Key Head Shot

Low key head shot

Skill level – Basic to intermediate

This simple but striking low key (a composite of tones darker than grey) portrait was taken using just one light and a reflector.

I simply draped a black cloth over a couch before asking the model to lay on her back, this is a comfortable and flattering pose. Whilst not a requirement for a younger model, this position is also aided by gravity, for a flattering rendering of the face.

An Elinchrom RX head was fitted with a strip light (long thin soft box) and positioned at right angles from the camera, and pointing down onto the model at 45 degrees. This also has the flattering effect of accentuating the cheek bones, and contouring the face.

An original Triflector (only available from TFC) was positioned just out of the cameras view to the left, and this redirected light back into the subject, to reduce the highlight to shadow ratio.

Strong eye contact engages the viewer, whilst the simplistic B&W tones controls and shifts the emphasis up to the face and particularly the eyes

Shot on a Canon 1 DS at 100 ISO, the exposure was set at F8 and 250th of a second. A 28-70 2.8L lens was set to 70mm

Clearance Items

Tutorials and how to videos on photography and lighting

Content search