shooting silhouettes
Jul 11, 2012 21:06:52 #
Hello uhh I have a question.I have been into photography since my high school days>(Thats been a while).One thing that I have always struggled with is silhouettes.Could someone please tell me a way to do this? Attached are some of my struggles.
Jul 11, 2012 21:18:04 #
I am far from being an expert but the sunset and the boat pic is really beautiful. I have no idea how to "fix" it. Looks very nice. Maybe the setting sun needs to be in a different spot???
Jul 11, 2012 22:24:21 #
Just exactly where do these two fail to achieve the effect you wish?
Jul 11, 2012 22:31:47 #
I also like what I see, but would like to hear some good rules of thumb from you seasoned photogs.
Jul 12, 2012 08:23:46 #
Hi Yvonne, I'm no expert, but in both pictures I would try to make the background more prominant. The black space overwhelms the sunset in the first photo - maybe move to the fence and let the silhouette of that draw your eye to the sunset. In the second, I would try to make the boat more prominant in the foreground and the sunset a larger part of the photo or make the water the foreground and the boat more in the background as a silhouette. Both pics are pleasing to the eye as shot, it just depends on what your interpretation of the scene is (what drew your attention to it in the first place).
Jul 12, 2012 09:16:52 #
Yep, I lke the photos too, but I understand what Al Davis means - they are not, in my opinion, silhouettes. #1 is a sunset that should be cropped; #2 the boat has too much detail in it to be a true silhouette. A silhouette is an object filled in with some uniform colour. This statement may raise some arguments but if in doubt look up what the word means. (That's what I did!) What I do is stand a person against a bright background and take a reading fro the brightest area. The person becomes a silhouette. I hope this helps. Here's my example.
Silhouette of Boys
Jul 12, 2012 09:32:23 #
When shooting the shots you have and going for a silhouette, you need to "spot meter" on the brightest part of the sky and then lock metering so it won't change.
Then, get low or get low enough so you can see the outline of your silhouettes..i.e. don't let them blend in with the land....
That should do it.
Also, it's not a sin to touch them up in post to bring out the silhouette...not at all.
Then, get low or get low enough so you can see the outline of your silhouettes..i.e. don't let them blend in with the land....
That should do it.
Also, it's not a sin to touch them up in post to bring out the silhouette...not at all.
Jul 12, 2012 09:33:16 #
Shakey wrote:
Yep, I lke the photos too, but I understand what A... (show quote)
This true and this is a VERY pleasing silhouette shot...colorful and perfect silhouette...well done.
Jul 12, 2012 11:48:35 #
Jul 12, 2012 12:46:10 #
Shakey wrote:
Yep, I lke the photos too, but I understand what A... (show quote)
Al Davis -- I thought your silhouette photos -- #1 & #2 -- were beautiful, but then looking at the sample and explanation Shakey posted I can see the difference in the "silhouettes". Thank you for posting your examples of silhouettes -- I just learned something! Casser
Jul 12, 2012 13:57:40 #
To AuntMary: Thank you for your critique of the "togs" sunset, boat, water, etc. I have only done 2-3, maybe- silhoutte pics so I really have not studied the method/s to employ when shooting a landscape/silhoutte. And I am not really a landscape shooter but hope to learn how before I croak. I prefer pets and/or pets with their older person. I have learned a lot in just a week or so from this forum.
Jul 12, 2012 14:38:47 #
Casser wrote:
quote=Shakey Yep, I lke the photos too, but I und... (show quote)
Thank you, Casser. This is what makes this forum so fulfilling on a personal level, everyone is kind and helpful.
Jul 12, 2012 14:56:48 #
Jul 12, 2012 16:58:49 #
I agree with you Shakey.Thank you for noticing and unerstanding.Thank you Rpavich for the explanation will go out this weekend and see what I can do.Like I said this is one area I have struggled with.That is why I joined this forum we all learn from each other.Thanks again
Jul 12, 2012 17:21:41 #
al davis wrote:
silhouettesI agree with you Shakey.Thank you for noticing and unerstanding.Thank you Rpavich for the explanation will go out this weekend and see what I can do.Like I said this is one area I have struggled with.That is why I joined this forum we all learn from each other.Thanks again
You are most welcome, Al Davis! Don't forget to help us all out by showing your silhouettes on this forum.
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