Low Key - How do I get the look?

[OrionsByte]

@OrionsByte - Making sure I understand, I would set the flash mode to TTL - if it's 1' away, will I not completely over-expose the subject? I see yours (does look great in my view), I'm assuming you reduced the flash output? Is this sort of a trial and error deal?

Well sure, it would overexpose the subject a whole lot... unless you maybe perhaps kinda set your camera to use a really small aperture and a really fast shutter speed, right?

Read through that link I posted to Strobist, it will give you a better idea. Basically, I set the shutter speed to the max flash sync speed of the camera 1/250th and then stopped my aperture down to underexpose the ambient light. A few test shots can make sure you're getting the result you want. Then I brought in the flash. In my case I set it manually, but TTL should work just fine too. The idea is just to bring the flash power up to meet the aperture you've already chosen.

There's a little bit of trial-and-error, but that's how you learn. Go grab a toy or something and try it yourself. Experiment - what happens when you move the flash closer? Farther? Sideways? Up? Down? What happens at smaller apertures? Larger? With enough experimentation, there's less trial-and-error going on when it matters.

 

[jwbryson1]

Orions, I posted my comments before your post so I had not seen it yet. Anyhow, still no answer to the best backdrop on a budget? Any suggestions?

 

[kirbym2]

Thought I'd follow up with my progress... first "low-key" shots. @OrionsByte... I have to thank you in advance, you sort of got me going in the right direction, and your example was my initial inspiration. Apologies for the copy-cat look, but wanted to see if I could come close to be honest, and we had the little figure in the house already. On a side note, I've started using a watermark - typically I see the TPF community shudder at this - "who's really going to steal my photos anyway?" I get it.. but wanted to try it out. Would welcome any feedback.

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Which do you prefer between 2 & 3... any tips, as well as comments and critiques welcome.
Thanks again for all the suggestions!

 

[gsgary]

Orions, I posted my comments before your post so I had not seen it yet. Anyhow, still no answer to the best backdrop on a budget? Any suggestions?

Any cheap black material will do, this was shot with a very cheap material off the market

But you can use white also

 

[KmH]

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