Your First Low Key Portraits | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey

At first glance low key photography looks simple enough. All you need to do is take a photo that mostly consists of shadows and it’s low-key. But in reality, low-key photography has a lot more going on. Yes, you need to master the shadows but at the same time the image needs to be correctly exposed and very often, that means you also need to see some highlights.

This fine balance is explored by Gavin Hoey where he combines three simple lighting techniques with some basic props. The results are beautiful low-key portraits that you can reproduce at home.

Starting with the essentials such as ensuring your shadows are as dark as possible, Gavin begins with a simple one-light set-up that makes use of a wide-brimmed hat to create some deep, dark shadows.

Next Gavin moves his Flashpoint XPLOR300 flash to the side of his model and uses a length of red fabric to add a splash of color.

Finally, Gavin uses a sheet of foam core with a letterbox-shaped hole cut into it. This cookie (or gobo) is used to project a slit of light across the model's face. A second flash adds a little bit of fill light and completes the look.

Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:55 Preparing for low key portraits
2:27 Creating shadows with a hat
4:28 Low key portraits with a hat
5:13 Setting up sidelight for low key
6:55 Low Key portraits with sidelight
7:53 Using a cookie to control light
9:50 Low key portraits with a slit of light
10:41 Conclusions and Subscribe

SUBSCRIBE AND BE PART OF THE ADORAMA FAMILY:

__________________________________
Be the first to shop our great deals and sales by signing up for emails from Adorama!

__________________________________
✘ PRODUCTS USED:

Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro

Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro

Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter

Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket

Glow 7” Honeycomb Grid Set

Glow 7" Reflector For The Bowens Mount

Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand and Grip Arm

Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4 Pro

Tether Tools Pro 16' USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable

Tether Tools AeroTab

Sekonic L-308 Flash Meter

Sekonic L-308 Red Cover

#beginnerphotography #portraitphotography #adorama

__________________________________
❐ LET'S GET SOCIAL ❏

❐ MORE ADORAMA ❏

__________________________________
Follow Gavin on

Model and MUA Sophie Daly

__________________________________
THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING!

[csc-photo]

I'm going to say Gavin is one of the most - if not THE most - helpful creators here when it comes to lighting setups & related tips. I really appreciate his content, delivery, and personality. Thanks!

[quietset]

I just love the simple way Gavin explains. I could watch 2 hours of his tutorials and not get bored. Thank you Gavin.

[manashkalita]

Bring Gavin in every videos.The way he teaches is appreciable.The best teacher from adorama

[MichaelLyon]

Gavin Hoey is one of the most creative photographers I know. Love his personality and he makes it so easy to understand how to setup and create the photos.

[manuelfigueroa]

Awesome like always Gavin. Will try it tomorrow

[rommelreyes]

Cut out shapes in foam board. How brilliant. Awesome tip for the frugal photographer!

[yvesthibault]

Gavin you are the best relax and teacher ever !!!

[simontorr]

Gavin’s is a star! Being an Olympus/omd user, I’ve been able to enjoy many amazing sessions he’s done for them during lockdowns etc. his style and positivity plus content is superb

[elhasportraits]

i wish i saw this one when i was struggling first time with low key :), really good one!

[toddstrong]

Great lesson once again Gavin. Concise and full of the right information. Thanks so much.

[dunnymonster]

My Thursday routine is this. Get up, go to work. Lunch. Finish work, go home. Open YouTube and go to Gavin Hoey's weekly tutorial. Hit thumbs up, sit back, relax and enjoy ☺️😁

[abdulrazacksyed]

Always expecting greatest photography from mr Gavin sir, thank you sir .

[AliasJimWirth]

Really cool and useful. Informative. Thanks.

[febyography]

You are the best when it's comes to lighting

[DavidKfilmmaker]

Gavin and pi are my two favorites. Sophie is my fav with Gavin.

[Eliterazzz]

This video is so helpfull. I'm going to try this at home. Thank you for uploading the video.

[josearevalo]

Thanks Gavin, . Is very helpful your tips. You make to se very easy.. thanks again

[richardsears]

As always very informative Gavin, your videos are informative, and you are very personable and easy to follow I can't wait to use these techniques when I get my soft box holder in so I can use my tt600 flash off camera

[grvsha]

Thank you Gavin, you've been of immense help to me

[davidcoakley]

I subscribe to a lot of photographer channels that produce really good images with with expensive and sophisticated equipment. The difference with Gavin is that he has such a deep technical understanding of photography that he can produce pictures on another level, even within the constraints of a modest studio and equipment. Gavin's understated delivery leads one to assume that it's easy, but it really is not. Hats off to an outstanding mentor!