How to Get a Silhouette in Photography

Find out how you can turn your photo subjects into silhouttes.

The photographic technique of silhouetting allows photographers to contrast the hard lines of a shaded subject against the ambient luminance of a light source. Silhouetting can be used to add a human element to an overcast backdrop, to highlight the intricate contours of a moonlit tree, or to obscure the identity of your subject. And while the art of silhouetting is nearly limitless thanks to the incredible number of combinations of subjects and light sources, there are some basic guidelines you should know if you're just starting out with the technique.

Instructions

1. Turn off your camera's flash. You want to avoid introducing light to the front of your subject.

2. Position your subject in front of a moderately bright light source. If your subject is an inanimate object, position yourself so that it blocks the light source. In either case, your subject should block direct rays from your light source, leaving your camera to receive only indirect rays.

3. Frame your subject in your camera's LCD display to get an idea for how well your subject will be silhouetted in your shot. You can use your camera's optical viewfinder to snap the shot, but you want to at least reference the LCD display beforehand.

4. Take several snapshots of your subject from varying heights and distances. Review your shots on your camera's display, and then take more shots if desired.

Tips & Warnings

• Dusk and dawn are good times of day to capture a silhouette, illuminated by the natural light of the sun.

• If your light source is weak and does little to illuminate your subject, try lowering your camera's shutter speed to capture more light.

References

• DPShots: 5 Silhouette Photography Tips and Techniques
• LifePics: Photographing Silhouettes