Photography is typically about getting the right amount of light into a photo. No matter what look you’re going for, you want your subjects to be properly illuminated.

With this in mind, it’s easy to see how difficult it can be if you are purposely going for a dark photography look. How do you put the right amount of light on your subjects while maintaining a dark background? Here are some ways to achieve the aesthetic you are going for.

Use a Single Light Source

In dark photography, if you use too much light, you’ll spoil the dark effect. If you don’t use enough light, your subject won’t be visible.

The solution is to use a single light source that will only illuminate part of the subject while leaving the rest of the photo dark. The light source can be anything from a flash to a strobe to natural light from a window to a streetlight.

You can position the light anyway you want but side lighting is recommended for adding the perfect amount of drama.

Choose the Right Settings

It’s important to get the right camera setting when shooting dark photography. The ISO should be set low, within the 50 to 200 range to prevent graininess.

You’ll want the image to be slightly underexposed which requires a fast shutter speed and a small aperture.

It’s also best is you shoot in RAW. RAW will capture more details making a great light to dark contrast. It will also help you do more in post processing.

Take the Right Accessories

Camera shake will be obvious in low light settings. It’s advisable to use a tripod and a remote release to minimize shake.

Use a Dark Background

It should go without saying that dark photography will look best against a dark background. You can choose a background that already exists, such as a black wall or the night sky, or create your own by putting your subject against a black fabric of board.

It’s advisable to put some distance between your subject and the background. This will allow light to fall on the subject without brightening up the background.

Think About Your Mood

Dark photography provokes a specific mood, and you can use the light you have to capitalize on that. For example, a subtle light will make the photo seem mysterious while a bright strobe will create drama and contrast.

Shoot at Night

Nighttime is great for dark photography because you already have your dark background. You can use whatever light is available as your single light source including headlights, streetlights, flashlights and more.

Use the Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds dictates that photographers should see a three-line grid when taking photos that divides the picture taking area into nine sections. The subjects in the photo should land on the intersections.

While this works well in any type of photo, it is especially effective in dark photography as it creates a good amount of neutral space and draws attention to the subject.

Enhance Contrast in Post Processing

You can further enhance contrast in post processing. Move the slider towards black to really bring out the dark and light colors.

Dark photography is perfect for capturing mood. Now that you know how to produce this effect, your options are limitless. How will you be integrating it into your shoots?

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