Learning things

Now that i have an actual pentax camera, i can now start taking part in the competitions, I had the idea that if i can start taking pictures that look decent i would be learning new things, but i cant seem to get the results everyone else does, especially with this low key thing.

I have a camera, a couple of lenses and a tripod, and that's it.

Can anyone help me with low key? things i need etc...

Don't worry everyone has that, It took me 2 months before my first decent photo

Just hang in there and don't let it get the better of you, that's the only advice I can give you over the internet.
If you could meet up a photographer you know (someone of this forum perhaps?) for a walk/hike for example then certainly learning might go faster and you get tips on the spot and direct feedback then.
Photography club could also help if you get the right club that is and sadly that seems to be a hit or miss

Equipment have little to do with this all, since you can have everything there is but if you don't know how to use it it won't help you and most equipment have a specific task which helps you only with specific shots.

Low key is all about dark shadows and mystery.

The traditional black cat in a coal cellar would be good. More realistically, if you Google low key photography I'm sure you'll get lots of links to examples. Also try Wikipedia.

This is a low key photo I took for a course.
Basically taken with a black blanket as a background and one halogen light, then converted to B/W. So you see you don't need lots of equipment for it. Have a play and see what you come up with It's fun.

I don't even have a black blanket, the closest thing i have a bed sheets, that arn't really that dark, although i do have a blanket that has white skulls over it, maybe a bit of photoshop might help.

What kind of lights would be good? I assume flash is out of the question

For that photo I used an anglepoise type lamp with a halogen bulb in it. Could just as easily have been a normal bulb though.
Flash can be used but you need to be careful with the position so you don't light up too much of the picture.
Get some black card from a shop, or a cheap black sheet even, or visit your local market and see if you can find some dark material, fleece or velvet would be good - if you are converting to B/W it doesn't even have to be black, just dark.

Edit - just use whatever lighting you have around initially, no need to buy special lights for it. Even an overhead light can be used by carefully placing the subject.

I've read you original comment a bit wrong
I thought you said low key things i need etc..., so low key is in nothing fancy since I didn't notice the question mark

Gladly some are awake here with the advice you need

ok, ignoring the background that can be sorted with photoshop for now, is it any good?

[IMG]http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk261/onglog/IMGP0115.jpg[/IMG]

I believe you need a key light, like the highlight on the guitar Gwyn is showing.
The first 3 zoo series of these are also low-key link

ps. I'm not sure either so please correct me if wrong.

another try, again ignore the background

[IMG]http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk261/onglog/IMGP0124.jpg[/IMG]

This might help link

here is a lighting setup sample link