Chiaroscuro is a photography technique and style often referred to as “clair obscur” or “extreme low key”. While the term chiaroscuro originates from the Renaissance period and is often associated with painting or drawing, it has evolved into the photographic world and now often simply means strong and bold contrasts between light and dark areas in a photograph.

This style of photography is often well-suited for portraits, still life, and boudoir, or simply to give a scene the illusion of being three-dimensional. It adds depth and a more mysterious atmosphere as it creates impact and contrast between highlights and shadows in a photo. Chiaroscuro is also a popular technique we often see used in black & white photos.

Below are 35 gorgeous and mysterious chiaroscuro photos that will surely inspire you to give this technique a shot! For those of you interested in learning more about chiaroscuro, this tutorial should give you a great head start.

Ryan.Berry – Chiaroscuro Self Portrait



Hernán Piñera – Voice



Robert Moran – Chiaroscuro



pdh96 – Fountain



Pat David – Sarah (smile!)



Gzooh – Sofa



Evonne – Esprit de Corps



Panoramas – Vodable



Ben Seidelman – Cold.



Raúl Santos de la Cámara – Peek



Juan Ignacio Garay – Self



Vero Villa – Arcos



Robert Moran – Kara



stephane – Self-portrait…



Hernán Piñera – Airport



Olivier Bain – Clair Obscur Studio Clara



Dani Wood – clair obscur



Sean McGrath – A Portrait in Darkness



phozographer – 13/365



Dani Vázquez – O pote



Evan – Moonlight



Joan Sorolla – BCN



Stephen Bowler – Grim up North



Stepan Mazurov – your move



Andreas Levers – Hand



Zoltán Vörös – Curiosity



Yiannis Theologos Michellis – Keeping it Low Key



Boudewijn Berends – The new tools.



Tommy Ellis – Reach.



IOTA Ext – Mini Chloe



Alan Antiporda – Ruffled



theilr – Heads I win; tails you’re screwed.



David Kutschke – abstract



Urbanicsgroup – Quiet Concerto



Dávid Kótai – EVL

