A photograph, before it is taken, is like a blank canvas. The colors with which you paint it, the impact it will provoke in the viewer, the emotions it will arouse are up to you. You are the one who gives life to that blank canvas, to tell a story, to move, to awaken tenderness or provoke a halo of mystery.
And there is no doubt that the artist is you, you are the one who has the color palette. Even so, there are always tricks and strategies that can guide you. Today I am going to tell you some secrets so that you can infuse your next images with mystery, I will help you to be the next Hitchcock of photography. You sign up?
- Fog
- Noise
- Tell a story
- vignetting
- silhouettes
- Surrealism
- levitations
- Shades
- symbols
- low key
- candle light
- lonely places
- hidden faces
- Movement
- black and white
Let’s see all these tricks one by one and with their example photos.
1. Photography with fog
Fog is a safe value, that’s why I put it as the first resource. Add fog and you will create mystery. the downside is that you can’t get it whenever you want. Of course, do not miss the opportunity to photograph the fog, with mystery or without it 😉
And in case you have doubts about how to edit your photos with fog, here is an example:
2. No fear of noise
The normal thing is to avoid annoying noise in an image, that’s why we always tell you to be careful with the ISO value. But you also know that rules are meant to be broken and this is a good example for this cause. A little (or a lot) of noise in the image will give it a most mysterious air. If you don’t believe me, take a look at this example:
3. Suggest a story
On some other occasion we have talked about narrative photography. Today, and for this purpose of creating mystery, I propose that you suggest a story, that you do not tell, that you simply drop a “data” that does not solve anything, on the contrary, that creates doubts in the viewer. Aren’t you wondering what this girl is doing there? Why is she alone? Is she going to happen to him? Are they following her?
4. Use vignetting
Vignetting is a darkening at the edges of the image. Originally it was a lens-related bug or defect, however today it is used as a creative or artistic effect that can certainly add a touch of mystery to your image.
5. Capture the silhouette
The silhouettes are full of mystery because they show very little of reality, only the outline. The rest is hidden in the dark. Keep in mind that what surrounds the silhouette and the posture of the silhouette can make your image more or less mysterious. The silhouette of someone jumping on the shore of the beach is not the same as one like this. Take note 😉
6. Create a surreal photograph
Become Dalí for a day and create your own surreal image full of mystery. An unreal reality, a memory of your wildest imaginations. You have the keys to achieve it here.
7. Levitations
A mystery is something that cannot be explained and something that cannot be explained is, for example, levitation. If you want to introduce mystery in your photo, immortalize a levitation with a suitable atmosphere and you will surely succeed. If you ask me what I mean by the right atmosphere, well, you know, any of these elements: darkness, abandoned places, vignetting, black and white, noise… And with a mixture of them we already go from mystery to the most terrifying terror 😉 If you want to know how to levitate without photoshop… click here.
8. Shadows
Search, create, invent… a suitable shadow, a shadow that manages to arouse the viewer’s curiosity and makes him wonder “what is he doing there”, “whose shadow is it”, “who does that hand belong to”, “what is going to do”… If you know how to play your cards, the shadow alone can get the point of mystery you need. Look at this image, in broad daylight, just a shadow and black and white…doesn’t it seem mysterious?
9. Mysterious symbols
A normal image can take on a mysterious point if somewhere you can read some unknown or mysterious symbol, drawn in the mist of a mirror, with blood on the wall (called jam or easy to erase paint 😉 ), a graffiti in a place inhospitable… Anything that comes to your creative mind can help you with the task.
10. Low key
Low key photos are those in which the light is very low and is directed just where you want it. These types of images usually cause a great emotional impact and are very appropriate to generate mystery, among other types of sensations and emotions. To find out how to achieve them step by step, I invite you to click on the following link.
11. By candlelight
Candles, in addition to causing a dim light conducive to evoking mystery, we also associate them with mystical rituals, mystery movies, exoteric activities, religious symbols and everything related to mysticism and the unknown. How can they not give a mysterious point to your photos! (or a hoot 😉 ) And who says candles, says fire 😉
12. Lonely places
Lonely or abandoned places or buildings are the ideal setting for your next mysterious photograph. If you add good light management to this, you will achieve fantastic images full of mystery.
13. Hidden faces
If what you are looking for is a mysterious portrait, in addition to using the low key or doing it in a scenario like the previous one, you can use a very easy resource. Hide a part of the face and focus attention on the look. Show as little of your face as possible and surround it with darkness and mystery.
14. Movement
It captures the movement, or rather the trail left by the movement of objects or people, also known as “motion blur”. With the right setting and/or any of the above tricks, you’ll get photos full of mystery, like this one:
15. Black and white
I have left this resource for the end not because it is the least important or the one that achieves the least effect, but quite the opposite. I also wanted you to see all the examples first so you could see that almost all of them are black and white or almost monochrome. This does not mean that you cannot create mystery in color, nothing like that, but it is true that black and white, like darkness, is a really powerful resource when it comes to adding mystery to images.
And here are today’s tips. You can use all or some of them, mix them or use each of them separately. I already told you that you were the artist, you have the canvas, the brushes too, and the gift of moving, provoking feelings or evoking certain sensations or emotions is in your hand, with your camera as a magic wand. And it is in your hands that this gift is completely wasted or that it is the tool to achieve something great. You know, practice, practice and practice. And if you share on your favorite social network(s) first, others will also be able to make use of your gift. Thank you and see you soon!