1 Simple Trick to Make Any Photo Feel More Mysterious

Finding Mystery in Everyday Photography

OK, I’ve talked about the 1 Amazing Tip for Taking Interesting Photos in Boring Places before. But have I ever shared the 1 Simple Trick to Make Any Photo Feel More Mysterious?

Well, friends, today is your lucky day.

Unfortunately, I’m starting to think the reason I know all these tricks is because I take photos of a lot of boring things.

I mean, there’s no sweeping vistas or beautiful mountain ranges right down the road so I do what any other aspiring photographer does, I improvise.

I try to find the mystery in the everyday things you encounter from day to day. It’s not easy but sometimes it works. Sometimes the hunt can be fun.

So, what is this one simple trick that changes everything?

The Simple Trick: Obscure Part of the Subject

Yes, it’s that simple: Use the Power of What the Viewer Can’t See.

The Power of What You Don’t Show

The brain is a funny thing, it wants answers.

When we see a photo where part of the subject is hidden, either by shadow, motion blur, a reflection or even intentionally strange framing, it sends our brains for a ride. We start to get real curious.

Why can’t I see their face?
Why is half the subject in shadow?
What’s just beyond the edge of the frame?

It’s where’s the rest syndrome? What’s just beyond the edge of the frame? I need to know because right now I don’t have the full story.

Instead, I have a mystery and a mystery is what makes someone stop and pay attention.

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How to Add Mystery to Your Photos

1. Frame Creatively: Break the Rules

Crop your image so that part of the subject is missing. A hand reaching into the frame, a figure walking out of it, both are far more engaging than a standard, centered shot. Remember the golden rule, learn the rules so that you can break them with conviction. No head, who cares? Right?

This woman was riding her bike in circles and circles. The tilt feels wrong, and none of it asks for permission. But that’s the point. She’s in motion, nameless, headless, and suddenly more real because of it. The story lives in what’s missing.

Again, cutting the subject in half. The frame is wildly crooked because I want you to feel that instability. Also, half the frame is filled with near-complete darkness to add mystery.

2. Use Shadows to Create Intrigue

Using shadows isn’t hard but maybe you’ve been overlooking the power of shadows? Allowing for deep shadows to swallow part of your subject is the goal here.

A portrait where half the face is lost in darkness is instantly more intriguing than one that reveals everything.

I remember when I first started photography, I always thought everything had to be properly exposed. If part of the face was consumed by shadow, I tried to bump up the shadows in post.

I’ve since learned to embrace shadows.

Here, my subject is lost in shadow, a silhouette against a moody grey sky. This mystery is in the shadows.

3. Play with Motion Blur

A slow shutter speed can blur part of your subject, creating a sense of movement and mystery. Is that person turning toward us? Or away?

I love to play with slow shutter speed. If your subject isn’t moving, you can move the camera to achieve blur. I’m going to give ICM or “Intentional Camera Movement” the proper treatment in a full post or series of post upcoming, check back.

For now, mess around with using a slow shutter speed while you’re shooting. You can even play with slow shutter in the studio while shooting with strobes.

Try it, experiment, don’t be afraid! It’s fun!

One cool thing about long exposure is that it gives you time to mix environments within one frame. Your imagination is the limit, but try mixing natural and artificial light sources.

4. Use Reflections and Layers

Shooting through glass, water, or any semi-reflective surface can distort or obscure the subject just enough to add a layer of intrigue to any photo.

Try it!

Look around when you’re out shooting. Look for windows, puddles, polished floors, car mirrors, metallic surfaces, and even sunglasses.

A fleeting presence caught between footsteps and still water. In this case, I’m cutting off the head but using a reflection in a puddle to bring it back.

Photographing through a rainy window on a rainy day

Real-World Examples

Let’s say you’re photographing a Street Musician. Normally, you might just walk up on the scene, take a nice shot and keep walking.

But, what if you shoot from behind a window, letting some cool reflections break up the scene?

What if you capture just their hands on the instrument, focus on the details, leaving their face unseen?

What if you use a slow shutter and motion blur to let the bow of a violin blur slightly while the musician stays sharp?

You get the idea. Suddenly, you’ve gone from documenting a moment to creating a story.

See how quickly a simple photo becomes a story?

Why This Technique Works

When you obscure part of the subject, you make the viewer an active participant.

Everyone wants to be a participant right?

Instead of handing the viewer all the information, you’re inviting them to think and wonder.

This is exactly what you want. You want people who look at your work to stop and have to think about it. That’s the kind of photo people remember.

So next time you’re out shooting, don’t just show everything. Hide a little. See what happens.

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1 Simple Trick to Make Any Photo Feel More Mysterious

Finding Mystery in Everyday Photography