Dark photographic compositions

Highlighting the darkness. It seems almost like an oxymoron, but in photography certain techniques can do just that. Much like darker tones found in painting, dark photographic compositions can echo melancholy, somberness or loneliness – whether that is in a dimly lit nightscape or a densely packed crowd void of light in the urban landscape. Both black and white and color photography can create dark compositions, playing with the hues of browns, black and grays that emerge within photographic processes. By using contrast to highlight a subject, such as an item, gaze, or outline, it might suggest a dark emotion or feeling of loneliness, danger and even intimacy and adventure. In Artsper's own selection of works, Christophe Dabreau notes that he observes his subjects and attempts to “bring to light" a view hidden in shadow. Whilst Cécile Baldewyns' work aims to tell stories and reveal secrets of her desires and sorrow through dark compositions. Though her work has been deemed both sensual and disturbing, isn't the foreboding and dramatic nature of dark tones the perfect setting for it? 

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Photography, L1020250, Eru Narayana

L1020250

Eru Narayana

Photography - 111.8 x 144.8 cm Photography - 44 x 57 inch

$18,750

Photography, Headlight, Alexander Benz

Headlight

Alexander Benz

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$532

Photography, Deep Breath, Alexander Benz

Deep Breath

Alexander Benz

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$532

Photography, Last call, Alexander Benz

Last call

Alexander Benz

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$532

Photography, Look Look, Alexander Benz

Look Look

Alexander Benz

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$532

Photography, Styled, Alexander Benz

Styled

Alexander Benz

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.2 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$532

Photography, Le Havre, Alexander Benz

Le Havre

Alexander Benz

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$532

Photography, Hanging On, Alexander Benz

Hanging On

Alexander Benz

Photography - 40 x 40 x 0.2 cm Photography - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.1 inch

$532

Photography, Freya, Coletivo Duas Marias

Freya

Coletivo Duas Marias

Photography - 90 x 135 x 3 cm Photography - 35.4 x 53.1 x 1.2 inch

$8,496

Photography, Broken, Cécile Baldewyns

Broken

Cécile Baldewyns

Photography - 50 x 75 x 0.5 cm Photography - 19.7 x 29.5 x 0.2 inch

$925

Photography, Fleurir, Cécile Baldewyns

Fleurir

Cécile Baldewyns

Photography - 75 x 50 x 0.04 cm Photography - 29.5 x 19.7 x 0 inch

$1,040

Photography, Birth II, Cécile Baldewyns

Birth II

Cécile Baldewyns

Photography - 60 x 80 x 0.04 cm Photography - 23.6 x 31.5 x 0 inch

$1,040

Photography, San Rafael, Paola Dávila

San Rafael

Paola Dávila

Photography - 22.9 x 20.3 x 2.5 cm Photography - 9 x 8 x 1 inch

$1,200

Photography, Eveil, Cyrille  Charro

Eveil

Cyrille Charro

Photography - 60 x 130 x 3 cm Photography - 23.6 x 51.2 x 1.2 inch

$1,156

Photography, Métal 1, Carlos Arriagada

Métal 1

Carlos Arriagada

Photography - 30 x 40 x 0.1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0 inch

$1,734

Photography, Métal IV, Carlos Arriagada

Métal IV

Carlos Arriagada

Photography - 39 x 27.3 x 0.1 cm Photography - 15.4 x 10.7 x 0 inch

$948

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