How to capture a perfect silhouette?

[Krishanu_Das]

Silhouette is the perfect way to covey drama, emotion and mystery through a photograph. A perfect silhouette pulls the viewer is a deeper and more meaningful connection with the image. In a silhouette, just the outline and featureless interior of the subject is captured. That is why it is necessary to have a strong subject with recognizable shape.

Here are some tips to get a perfect silhouette through your smart phone:

1) Shoot against the light:

While capturing a silhouette, point your camera towards the source of light. Place the subject exactly in the center (almost) of the light and the camera. The logic is to have as little light as possible in front of your subject. With perfect positioning, you will see only the shape of your subject. That is why it is necessary to find a subject that contrasts the background.

2) Set exposure manually:

Controlling exposure is basically telling the camera, how much light you want to allow in the lens.
If you are shooting with your smartphone, it will automatically set the exposure for the largest part of the frame. In case, your subject is still not dark enough, you need to reduce it. You can do this by tapping the brightest part of the frame outside your subject and adjust the exposure. Do not hesitate to experiment.

3) Turn off the flash:

The aim to have as much low light as possible in front of your subject, turning on the flash would probably destroy your silhouette.

4) Time:

I usually prefer during sunrise or sunsets. You would want the sun to be low in the sky. But you can also click a silhouette against a blue sky. As long as you are able to adjust the angle of your lens against the source of light, you will manage to get a decent silhouette.

5) Capture the moment:

While setting the lens for a perfect angle and adjusting the exposure, you might miss the moment. Therefore, capturing in burst mode is always advisable. So that later you have the option to choose your best shot.

These were my points for capturing a silhouette. Let me know if you want to add on more tips.
Also, why don’t you share your silhouettes!

Peace.

[PoliMC]

Hi @Krishanu_Das ,

The tips that you gave us are very useful I think and they will be very helpful for the other Local Guides. Are you a professional photographer? I’ve already tried to take photos against the light and I think it was successful but this tips can improve my photos.

Do you prefer to take photos of nature or of people?

I’m going to relabel your post to the Photography section, because it fits better there.

[Krishanu_Das]

Hey @PoliMC

Thank you for the comments. I am not a professional photographer. I just try to capture anything that is dramatic or has emotions or may be something mysterious! Usually I am fascinated by nature.
About the post, I was actually confused, should it be in how to’s or photography, so I tagged photography under how to’s.

Thank you for clearing the confusion and relabeling.