Look III: Dark and Moody — Create Thought-Provoking Images with a High-Contrast Look

Mysterious, moody, intriguing—all words that suit a captivating dark and moody photo. What’s especially unique about this type of look is its innate ability to engage and connect with viewers on a visceral level. The best dark and moody photos have a captivating quality and effectively evoke powerful emotions and convey deeper messages.

dark and moody photo of a bride and groom cozying up together in a lush garden on a bench

Set the Mood with Dark Photography 

There’s so much to love about dark and moody photography. The use of deep shadows, rich textures, and a limited color palette creates a sense of drama and mystery. This draws the viewer in and encourages them to linger and explore the details of the image. 

These types of photos can be particularly effective in conveying a mood or atmosphere, such as a sense of melancholy, nostalgia, or introspection. This aesthetic brings depth and complexity to a subject or scene, highlighting its intricacies and nuances in a way that a brighter, more straightforward image might not be able to capture in quite the same way. 

bride and groom stand together in front of a breathtaking landscape at sunset to exchange vows
photo of a couple dancing under a chandelier edited using a dark and moody preset
dark and moody portrait of a man straightening his bowtie in the mirror
dark and moody photo capturing the moment a bride and groom complete their outdoor wedding ceremony

Achieve a Stunning Dark Photo Look with PHAiTO

If you want to get the dark and moody look with ease, PHAiTO is for you. If this is your first introduction, here’s what you need to know: PHAiTO is an Ai-powered photo editing software that works within Lightroom to help you achieve a beautiful edit in the style you want efficiently. 

Our dark and moody look is kind of like a dark and moody preset—only better. This Ai tool for photographers makes automatic adjustments to your images to enhance them in the aesthetic you desire.

Get this: Over 120,000 images were used to train PHAiTO. Backed by (very human) professional editors, PHAiTO was taught to create seamless automatic adjustments over time. When you add PHAiTO’s Ai photo editing technology to your workflow, you can achieve a high-quality result with ease.

dark and moody wedding photo of a groom kissing his bride on the cheek
dark and moody photo capturing the tables at a wedding reception venue

Wondering How to Take a Dark and Moody Photo?

How do you set the perfect scene for a dark and moody photo? These types of photos are generally taken in low-light environments—but contrast lighting is welcome. A higher level of contrast between the shadows and highlights perfectly suits a moody photo look.

It helps to set the scene with a subdued, dramatic atmosphere by utilizing darker tones and deeper shadows. The color palette of a dark and moody photo is typically cooler and deeper. Think deep purple, burgundy, or neutral black tones. 

Dark and moody photography can come off as somber and melancholy, but it doesn’t have to. In other cases, it can bring about a more evocative atmosphere—one that invites introspection. The subject matter of a dark and moody photo can vary widely, from landscape photography to still-life objects. This look is especially popular for fine art portraits and boudoir photography.

stunning moody photo capturing the architecture of a large glass building and newlyweds in front

Bring Your Dark Photoshoot Ideas to Life

PHAiTO’s Ai editing capabilities can help you create dark and moody images even faster—allowing your photos to effectively stand out and speak for themselves. 


So, what would your dark and moody photos say? If dark photos that make an emotional impact are your jam, try this look today. You can get started with a free trial—-no commitment and no credit card required.

Excited to show off your latest dark and moody image? Share your photos with us on Instagram—we can’t wait to see them.