30 Spooky Photographs For Gothic Photography Lovers

Though beauty may be overlooked and humor may be disregarded, fear is something that is difficult to dismiss. This is why Gothic themes hold considerable attraction for photographers. Gothic photography extends from the traditional Gothic art form, initially introduced in the 1970s, and has experienced significant development in recent times. The goal behind such photography is far from creating uneasiness and discomfort among viewers; instead, it aims to encourage them to recognize and admire the darker facets of life and the beauty encapsulated in fear.

Although black and white tones rule the world of Goth, other attention-grabbing colors like red and purples are common, too. Sepia Gothic photographs are also known for making people freeze to the spot. B&W and Sepia give these photographs a feeling of nostalgia and mystery. Adding these effects isn’t a big problem, as almost all professional cameras give this option and, even if not, you can easily add these effects through Photoshop.

Gothic photography is not limited to landscapes – portraits are equally common and admired. In landscapes, the common subjects are moorlands, cathedrals, graveyards and barren fields. For portraits, female models wearing smoky make-up, dressed in the 1950s attire, and making mysterious yet seductive poses is the convention. Vampires and, very recently, Zombies are used in these photos to let the shuddering fascination spread to the senses of the beholder. I’ve also seen some really heart-thumping but remarkably fascinating gothic photographs of animals. So all in all, it is not the model but your technique that matters more.

Photoshop tricks are quite commonly used in contemporary gothic art. You can experiment with merging two contrasting images to create an astonishing effect of awe. Adding red color in the portraits to depict blood is also very generic. Similarly, purple and bluish lights create a feeling of nervousness and mystery.

The best thing about gothic photography is the freedom of creativity. You can use any style, subject, setting, color scheme, or effect. You just need to come up with unique ideas to create ghostly images that can hold your audience with a tinge of panic and shock. Get inspiration from these spine-chilling and hair-raising photographs.