 Dee Augustine |
How do I shoot Silhouetts? Never really tried it before but I see some pretty cool things thru my lens but I have no idea how to shoot a silhouett. PLEASE HELP as you pros ALWAYS do help me, I LOVE this web site. Thanks guys and gals for all your help. Dee
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Alan N. Marcus |
Hi Dee, The true silhouette is a completely black principle subject against a white background. However, background can be colored if desired. As you know, photography normally records illuminated subjects. In this case, the subject is not illuminated (i.e. lighting on subject is too dim to be recorded on film/chip). Best accomplished in a studio where the lighting can be controlled. Subject is spaced away from an illuminated background. Background can be white paper of fabric. Often the best set-up is translucent background backlit. Achieving uniformity is a problem. It helps to cover walls and equipment with flat black material to reduce unwanted reflections. High contrast is the name of the game. You can use your digital image editing software to achieve the needed contrast. This greatly moderates the otherwise difficult lighting set-up. Alan Marcus
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Sharon Day |
Silhouettes are easy to achieve if you don't want them LOL. If shooting outside try shooting early or late in the day with bright sunlight (don't focus camera directly at sun) in the background. As long as your background is lighter than your subject you should be able to get one.
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Bob Cammarata |
Using the manual setting on your in-camera meter (if you have one), measure the reflected light hitting your subject...then off the background. If the subject measures at least four stops darker than the background, set to expose the background and the subject will silhouette. This simple technique will work with digital or with slide film. Bob
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