Low-key lighting

How it is used

Typical of film noir, horror and crime dramas. Its opposite is high-key lighting: bright and even, with few shadows, common in sitcoms, comedies and commercials. Cinematographers say a scene is lit low-key.

Example sentences

1. Low-key lighting keeps half of the detective's face in shadow.

2. The comedy scenes are bright, but the flashbacks use low-key lighting.

Common collocations

• high-key lighting
• lit low-key
• moody lighting
• film noir lighting

Related terms

• lightingThe use and arrangement of light sources on set to show the action clearly and to create the mood and look of a scene.
• key lightThe main and strongest light on a subject, which sets the overall brightness and direction of light in a shot.
• three-point lightingA basic lighting method that uses three lights: a key light for the main light, a fill light to soften shadows and a backlight to separate the subject from the background.
• thrillerA genre of film or series built on suspense and excitement, in which characters face danger and the audience wonders what will happen next.

More terms: Lighting

• gaffer