Dark Tone Photography

Dark Tonality (Low Key)
It is characteristic for the image in Low Key style that most part of the image is formed by dark, sometimes black elements, but most details are well discernible, and light areas are always bright and clear. The intermediary tones are expressed weakly, by dark sections of the tonal scale. Presence of separate bright spots is the necessary requirement. All the elements, included to the picture, with the exception of those, creating a key (tonal) accent, must not greatly differ from each other in brightness. Counter, counter- side and side light is most often used for the illumination. Evening landscapes are often executed in low key, including light sources to the picture.

http://www.art-photography-schools.com/key-tone.htm

The use of dark tones in photography has become increasingly popular in recent years. It creates a specific mood and emotion in an image that wouldn't exist without it, and is more commonly found in fine art, landscape and low key portrait photography. Personally, I love this trend and use it a lot in my own work. Here are some examples of this style:

http://www.seedesk.net/Desktop/Scen/2008/00152411082.html

http://www.seedesk.net/Desktop/Scen/2008/00152411082.html

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/03/filmnoir_portfolio200703