1942 November, Victor Keppler, “Key to Good Pictures”, inPopular Photography,→ISSN,page98:
The classic example oflow key photography is a black cat in a coal cellar.[…] The most popular use oflow-key photography is in making portraits of celebrities or theatrical personalities. These people demand either dignity or drama, and this type of lightning is appropriate for both.
(by extension)Restrained,subtle, not trying to attract attention.[from 20th c.]
She deserves an Oscar for herlow-key performance in that movie.
1984 November 18, Patricia Brooks, “Specials Best at Low-Key Spot”, inThe New York Times[1],→ISSN:
For alow-key, somewhat predictable meal, dinner at Basem's offers good value.
2017 November 14, Phil McNulty, “England 0-0 Brazil”, inBBC News[2]:
From the Samba band and colourfully-clad dancers that made a lap of Wembley before kick-off - even prompting some neat moves from one or two Brazilian journalists - to the roars of delight every time Neymar got on the ball, it was still a night that contained entertainment despite the increasinglylow-key fare on the pitch.
2023 October 18, Chris Howe, “Network News: Headbolt Lane station opens on Merseyrail”, inRAIL, number994, page22:
The relativelylow-key opening was attended by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, who declared "We have a brand-new station serviced with brand-new lines and new publicly owned trains.
[Senator Todd] Young is alow-key Indiana lawmaker with an enthusiasm for wonky, but important national security issues. He's a protégé of the late Sen. Richard Lugar, alow-key Indiana lawmaker who had an enthusiasm for wonky but important national security issues.
2015, Lady Onyxx,Started From The Top Now I'm Here 3, page81:
I'mlow key salty about the way that nigga did you but it seems like he still cares about you.
2018, Rachel Vincent,Strange New World:
Before I open the messages, I disable the activity notification so no one will know I'mlow-key obsessed with a party I didn't get to attend.
2023 September 25, Becky Hughes, quoting Alex Feinstein, “New York’s Hottest Steakhouse Was a Fake, Until Saturday Night”, inThe New York Times[3],→ISSN:
“Is this a social experiment? I’m 95 percent sure it is,” said Alex Feinstein, an accountant. “Ilow-key think it’s an N.Y.U. production.”
low-key lighting on Wikipedia.Wikipedia