Sillhoutte photos

[wan]

Hi guys, i'm jus a newbie wanting to learn on how photographer gets the silloutte photo for example a boy playing ball at the beach with the sun facing towards the camera. he appears totally 'sillouetted' or the scene where a couple standing wif the sun facing the camera n thay appears 'sillouetted'. kindly help me with this. thanks

[kelccm]

Originally Posted by wan Hi guys, i'm jus a newbie wanting to learn on how photographer gets the silloutte photo for example a boy playing ball at the beach with the sun facing towards the camera. he appears totally 'sillouetted' or the scene where a couple standing wif the sun facing the camera n thay appears 'sillouetted'. kindly help me with this. thanks

Get an exposure reading using the sky or sun(if it is not too bright). That should be a good starting point to get your subject dark enough. Do take note of the outline of the subject's shape, if you want your silhouette to be your focal point. You would want it to be recognisable. So the outline has to be strong. Try it during the evening, against the evening sun, it should be easier to get silhouette.

[catchlights]

metering for the backgroud, use that for your exposure

[kop]

pls bear with my noob question. when we talk abt good silloutte photo, should the subject be in total darkness, only the strong outline can be seen or need to have some details as shown in catchlights's image?

[JediForce4ever]

Originally Posted by kop pls bear with my noob question. when we talk abt good silloutte photo, should the subject be in total darkness, only the strong outline can be seen or need to have some details as shown in catchlights's image?

IMO, that would be subjective to the type of effect that you want to achieve

[jOhO]

Originally Posted by JediForce4ever IMO, that would be subjective to the type of effect that you want to achieve

agree!

usually i prefer -some- (even if slight) details in the silhouetted subject, but i really think it's personal preference.

[ortega]

me think some shadow detail is good, just a slight hint for the viewer to look closer

[Dan]

Point your camera half between the object and the sun. Let alittle sun glare come. take the shoot..

[Scaglietti]

Thom Hogan did share a unique technique in which he used a graduated ND filter to remove the details in the foreground. Instead of using the dark portion to dim the sky, he flipped it around to use the dark portion to dim the foreground. Maybe those of you with a graduated ND filter can try it out.

[shark]

Hi Guys,

Can I meter the background/sky, AE-L and recompose?

[Scaglietti]

Originally Posted by shark Hi Guys, Can I meter the background/sky, AE-L and recompose?

Which system you use?

May have to choose spot metering mode first.

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by shark Hi Guys, Can I meter the background/sky, AE-L and recompose?

yes. exclude the subject you intend to silhouette it.

[Splutter]

Generally I meter for the brightest part of the area I want to be in the pic and underexpose by about 2 stops. Gives me what I want.

[shark]

Originally Posted by Scaglietti Which system you use? May have to choose spot metering mode first.

Thanks....use to have a Olympus prosumer class camera. Looking for a DSLR now.

[shark]

Originally Posted by catchlights yes. exclude the subject you intend to silhouette it.

Noted.

[Silence Sky]

Originally Posted by catchlights metering for the backgroud, use that for your exposure

Hello Catchlights;

I like your picture very much, can you share with me how you make the sky so blue? At what time is it taken?

[catchlights]

Originally Posted by Silence Sky Hello Catchlights; I like your picture very much, can you share with me how you make the sky so blue? At what time is it taken?

Thank you.

I usually use tungsten or florescent white balance for twilight shots, for this shot, add the curve adjustments with masking for post production.

Hope this helps.

[Silence Sky]

Originally Posted by catchlights Thank you. I usually use tungsten or florescent white balance for twilight shots, for this shot, add the curve adjustments with masking for post production. Hope this helps.

Thanks alot Catchlights, you are very helpful.