Do you shoot silhouettes? (Page 2): I love silloutes and shoot a lot of them. I took this one shortly after getting my first digital camera and didn't know what I was doing and...

plessner Loc: North Dakota

I love silloutes and shoot a lot of them. I took this one shortly after getting my first digital camera and didn't know what I was doing and especially didn't know anything about how to save pictures and don't have the original of this anymore.
But it has been a lucky shot and won a couple of contests for me and in 2015 was made into an 8x12 foot sign to welcome everyone to our town!

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

plessner wrote:

I love silloutes and shoot a lot of them. I took this one shortly after getting my first digital camera and didn't know what I was doing and especially didn't know anything about how to save pictures and don't have the original of this anymore.
But it has been a lucky shot and won a couple of contests for me and in 2015 was made into an 8x12 foot sign to welcome everyone to our town!

👍👍👍

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

Simply fantastic!!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

John N wrote:

I like them and I particularly like this. It's a simple story well told and the yellowing sky makes a big difference. Don't get those at OTMOOR where I go to try and see a murmuration. Just cold winds!
But I also like ones with lots of detail in, a naked tree for example - so look as it's crystal sharp.

Hi John, don't think I know Otmoor? Ive been over to the Somerset Levels, but it was a poor day for it and came home disappointed.
Yes, the more detail the better - both Linda and Islangal's (above) have some nice touches, don't you think?
Thanks for joining in - most birding folk have some silhouettes, even if they are unintentional - bet you could find one somewhere!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

neilds37 wrote:

I don't have any that begin to compare with the others gone before, but it's the best I can come up with.

....and it's great Neil! Love the action and the simplicity - minimalist in a way - really focusses the viewers attention. Many thanks for posting to the thread.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Linda From Maine wrote:

The feather was fun to discover once I downloaded to computer. Interesting about the moon. I wouldn't have been able to get with this particular shot because I had to zoom in for the bird. If you have time, and a moon handy, maybe you could composite it? I'm curious now

Yep, my first thought - I see if I have one on file!

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Whuff wrote:

This is my favorite silhouette.

Walt

I can see why Walt, it's a cracker! Love the colours and the composition. Thanks for joining in, it's quite a stunner.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Linda2 wrote:

I have always enjoyed silhouettes. Thank you for the subject. Here are just a couple. I know the light is blown out in the 2nd one but the shadows have always just appealed to me and of course winter trees are always good. Probably needs a moon or bigger bird somewhere. Oh well, someday....

Really nice shots Linda2. Yep, the first one could do with a moon popping into it, or perhaps just crop some sky. Think I'd also crop the top of the second one, to below the two bright spots, and it is a seriously interesting shot - absolutely love it! Many thanks for posting these.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

plessner wrote:

I love silloutes and shoot a lot of them. I took this one shortly after getting my first digital camera and didn't know what I was doing and especially didn't know anything about how to save pictures and don't have the original of this anymore.
But it has been a lucky shot and won a couple of contests for me and in 2015 was made into an 8x12 foot sign to welcome everyone to our town!

What a great story plessner, and well done indeed. Bet that made your year, never mind day! It's certainly a beautiful shot.
You raise a good point when you say you didn't know what you were doing at the time of taking. I think most cameras, set on auto, will come up with a decent silhouette simply because, having been used to 'pointed and shoot', it meters and focusses on the sky, so usually results in an acceptable exposure for a silhouette, plus focussed for distance.
Many thanks for joining the thread with such an impressive result - in both image and ultimate use!

plessner Loc: North Dakota

magnetoman wrote:

What a great story plessner, and well done indeed.... (show quote)

thank you and yes seeing that sign every day as I drive by is very exciting

Linda2 Loc: Yakima Wa.

I do appreciate your looking and comments magnetoman. I seem to lean towards vertical shots and trees just seem to require vertical so I never thought about taking out some of the sky.I will play with that. and it is so funny about the 2nd one. As many times as I have pondered that shot (and cropped some of the sides) I never noticed those two spots until you mentioned them. Now they have to go!Thank you!

magnetoman wrote:

Really nice shots Linda2. Yep, the first one could do with a moon popping into it, or perhaps just crop some sky. Think I'd also crop the top of the second one, to below the two bright spots, and it is a seriously interesting shot - absolutely love it! Many thanks for posting these.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

magnetoman wrote:

I took this whilst people were waiting for the Studland starling murmuration to commence. Silhouettes were popular long before the camera was invented and examples in cut-outs, miniature paintings and needlework are fairly commonplace. I've always liked snapping them. If you have a silhouette to share, please add it, I'd love see more.

I love them when they are done correctly. This one, in my opinion, fits the bill. You have wonderful color in the sky and the figures are completely blacked out. I wish my attempts were as successful as the ones posted here. As they are not, I'm reluctant to post any.
Erich

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

ebrunner wrote:

I love them when they are done correctly. This one, in my opinion, fits the bill. You have wonderful color in the sky and the figures are completely blacked out. I wish my attempts were as successful as the ones posted here. As they are not, I'm reluctant to post any.
Erich

We're not going to be too picky Erich - feel easy about posting whatever you've got! And thanks for joining in.

magnetoman Loc: Purbeck, Dorset, UK

Linda2 wrote:

I do appreciate your looking and comments magnetoman. I seem to lean towards vertical shots and trees just seem to require vertical so I never thought about taking out some of the sky.I will play with that. and it is so funny about the 2nd one. As many times as I have pondered that shot (and cropped some of the sides) I never noticed those two spots until you mentioned them. Now they have to go!Thank you!

We all suffer from that 'not seeing' at times Linda - with my posts it's usually your namesake from Maine that finds them! Or Frank of course!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

islandgal wrote:

xx

Trish, leaving the large black forms on each side emphasizes the precarious job of this "small" man IMO. Great impact for me!

neilds37 wrote:

I don't have any that begin to compare with the others gone before, but it's the best I can come up with.

Immediately recognizable bird species adds to the visual delight. I love your choice of expansive white space above and below.

Whuff wrote:

This is my favorite silhouette.

Absolutely stunning!

Linda2 wrote:

...I know the light is blown out in the 2nd one but the shadows have always just appealed to me...

magnetoman's idea to crop is appealing, as is the shot itself. Terrific interest for me, wondering what bright light they are emerging from. They seem casual and unconcerned, so it couldn't have been a return from alien abduction

plessner wrote:

...won a couple of contests for me and in 2015 was made into an 8x12 foot sign to welcome everyone to our town!

Man, I want my own billboard! Congrats, Katherine. Beautiful image.