RMM Loc: Suburban New York

This was shot several years ago, and I thought it would look good as a full-scale silhouette. It was shot from across the room with a Panasonic Lumix FX20. It has been cropped, and a piece of paper removed from the window behind her. C&C, please.

EDIT: I see a few artifacts behind her where the paper was. I'll try to clean that up and re-post later.

Chuck_893 Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

I want to say it's not bad. It's not bad. One of the most important things is that I can see the eyelashes on the far eye, and they are sharp. You already know about the artifacts. If I made it, I'd think I'd make it a true silhouette, with no visible detail in the shadow. Right now there is a tantalizing hint of detail, and I think I either want to see the shadow opened, or shut down completely, as in a true black. If I had made it, I also think I might try cloning out the hand and microphone and cropping to a vertical, just to see what it looked like. :-)

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

I was thinking about making it totally silhouetted, and may give it a spin. As to the microphone, I had mixed feelings. She was speaking at a public event, and the mike provides some context. Probably means more to me than it would to anyone else. Also, I'll admit to being a trifle lazy. :)

Thanks for looking and commenting. I'll keep it all in mind as I go back to it.

Heirloom Tomato Loc: Oregon

I like it as it is. I like the small amount of visible detail, especially on the sweater because it adds texture. The shape might not look right if you couldn't tell that she is wearing a sweater.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Good points.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I agree I like it as is, would not change it

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Overall, I like this shot lots of tonality a dash of texture and there is a story that stimulates memories in our minds.

The background is excellent and if it were a separate photo, I would love to have it for my "background" file for Layers.

Me, being a Mr. Cropit ( perhaps I should change my name ) I would do some trimming. On my monitor I measure 16 cm sq.
1.) Over the head I measure 2.5, bring it down to 1 cm. i.e. remove 60% above the head.
2.) I measure 1 cm from bottom of collar to the left margin ... bring that down 50%.
3.) Bring the Rt side in to the right side of the dark gray vertical that starts at the base of the mike.
4.) The bottom is fine because the connection of the mike to the body is established there.

I like the vague every-woman detail, the viewer supplies mentally the detail of the face. Think I would remove the eyelashes because they are a fine detail on a photo with no other fine details and add nothing to the semi-silhouette, rather they look like an artifact and detract from the overall vagueness of the photo.

Again, I will say that I like this photo; I like the story, the woman is giving a talk and there is that interaction between her and the mike which represents the audience.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Thanks for the thoughtful suggestions. I may come back and try some of these. I did try converting it to a pure black-and-white silhouette, but I wasn't happy with what happened to the stray hairs. Even so, I may try again.

If anyone wants to try their hand at posting a version embodying their suggestions, I'm attaching the original photo.

This was shot in 2006 with a Panasonic Lumix FZ-20. Handheld at 1/60 second, no flash (obviously).

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Here's another version, which I'm pretty happy with. Still a few very slight highlights, so perhaps it's not strictly a silhouette in the classical sense. I've left the microphone in, maybe it's just me, but it provides a different context, gives a sense of purpose. But, then, I was there...

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

I don't mind the mic. It lets you know what she is doing. She isn't just standing there gazing out the window. I like it without the detail. I almost find the detail in the prior post distracting.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

Anything to make you happy.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

That looks like one of those hand cut silhouettes that they used to do before photography. :)

I didn't mean the detail in the window. That, in my opinion, adds interest.
But this can work too if it is the look you are going for.

RMM Loc: Suburban New York

OK, I got confused about what you were talking about. Yes, this is close to the old-fashioned paper silhouettes. I'm not unhappy with it.

Country's Mama Loc: Michigan

No it is quite nice. It would actually be fun to print it and cut it out.