The post Silhouette Photography: The Ultimate Guide (+ 33 Tips) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.
This article was updated in October 2023 with contributions from eight expert photographers: Darren Rowse, Alana Orth, Valerie Jardin, Steve Berardi, Craig Colvin, Darlene Hildebrandt, Simon Bond, and Jaymes Dempsey.
Silhouettes are a wonderful way to convey drama, mystery, emotion, and mood. They often stand out thanks to their simplicity and incredible storytelling capabilities, not to mention the breathtaking colors and shapes.
But creating top-notch silhouette photography can be hard, especially when you’re just starting out – and that’s where this article comes in handy. Below, I share all the essential details for anyone hoping to become a silhouette master, including:
- How to choose the right subject and location
- How to handle different lighting scenarios
- How to choose the best settings
- Creative silhouette photography ideas to get you inspired
- Much more, including in-depth discussions of both portrait silhouette photography and street silhouette photography!
So if you’re ready to discover everything you ever wanted to know about photographing silhouettes, let’s dive right in!
What is silhouette photography?
Silhouette photography is all about capturing subjects so that they lack detail. The focus is on creating striking black shapes against a beautifully exposed background. It’s a technique that emphasizes the shape and form of the subject, resulting in minimalistic and graphic effects:
Silhouettes also allow you to showcase the vibrant colors of the sky behind your subject, adding an extra level of visual impact. Imagine capturing a stunning sunset or sunrise with the silhouette of a tree or a person standing tall against the vivid hues of the sky.
The best part? Silhouette photography is accessible to everyone, regardless of the equipment you own. Whether you’re shooting with a high-end mirrorless model or a smartphone, you can try your hand at capturing these compelling shots, making it an ideal creative outlet for photographers of all levels!
When should you try silhouette photography?
If you’re looking to add some pizzazz to your portfolio or spice up your social media feed, silhouette photography is the way to go. These graphic, eye-catching shots can truly make your work stand out.
I talk a lot about light later on in this article, but in general, sunrise and sunset are like magic hours for silhouette photography. The soft, warm light during these times creates the perfect backdrop for your subjects to take center stage as striking silhouettes. If you already like photographing during the golden hours, then you’re off to a great start.
You can capture silhouettes of pretty much any subject – people, buildings, animals, trees, flowers – given the right light, but they’re not ideal for all occasions. Silhouettes tend to lean towards the artsy side, so if you’re doing more formal photography (e.g., a real-estate photoshoot), you might want to opt for more straightforward shots.
Happily, silhouette photography is not limited to any specific skill level or equipment. Anyone can dive into this captivating genre without breaking the bank or spending hours learning new techniques, so if you’re on the fence about trying out silhouettes, I highly recommend giving it a go. It’s a whole lot of fun, and you never know what magical results you might create. Plus, you’ll have the opportunity to explore a new world of colors and shapes!
Tips and tricks for stunning silhouettes
In this section, we’ll delve into practical tips that will take your silhouette shots to the next level. Get ready to elevate your photography game, starting with:
1. Find a flat or raised location
When it comes to capturing stunning silhouette shots, the location plays a crucial role. The right environment will help you achieve that captivating contrast between your subject and the sky, while the wrong environment will distract the viewer or even prevent you from creating a crisp silhouette.
First and foremost, opt for locations that offer a flat or raised vantage point. Why is this important? Well, silhouettes tend to work best when your subject is framed against the sky, with the dark figure standing out against the bright background.
Beaches are a popular choice for silhouette photography because their flat landscapes make it easy to position your subject against the vast expanse of the sky. The uninterrupted low horizon provides the ideal opportunity to capture the outline of your subject in all its glory. Prairies are another solid option, though you’ll need to be careful to prevent high grasses from obscuring portions of your subject.
But what if you can’t find a flat location nearby? Don’t worry, you can still create captivating silhouettes in areas where your subjects are raised off the ground. Bridges, hills, boardwalks, mountains, and even parking garage roofs can serve as elevated platforms to showcase your silhouetted subjects against the backdrop of the sky.
Pro tip: Crouching down low to the ground can also work wonders, especially when your subject isn’t already raised above you. Don’t be afraid to get dirty!
2. Choose a strong subject
Almost any object can be made into a silhouette. However, some objects work better for silhouettes than others.
I recommend choosing a subject that has a strong and recognizable shape – one that’ll be interesting in its two-dimensional form. Silhouettes can’t draw on colors, textures, and tones to make themselves appealing, so the shape needs to be distinct.
Ask yourself: Can you tell what your subject is simply by seeing its shape? Or does it just look like a blob? Does the shape look eye-catching and interesting, or does it feel relatively boring? (Also, sometimes the things that seem boring during the day can make great subjects for silhouettes – remember that it’s about the shape, not the overall look!)
People make great silhouette subjects, but if they’re doing something interesting – running, jumping, or riding a bike – the shot will look even better. The best silhouette shots often feature props, such as a bike, a basketball, or a skateboard.
3. Find your subject well before sunrise or sunset
Preparation is key in silhouette photography. Timing plays a crucial role, especially if you’re looking to capture the rich colors of sunrise or sunset. You’ll want to identify your subject and set up your shot well in advance.
The sky can change dramatically within a short period. That’s why I recommend being in your chosen location at least 30 minutes before the sun makes its appearance or takes its leave. You should have your camera (and tripod, if you’re using one) set up and ready to go a few minutes before the magic begins, and if you’re working with a model, ask them to arrive a little early and use the extra time to get them prepared for the photoshoot.
And you should also make an effort to stay after the sunrise or sunset. You might think you can predict when the sky will be at its most vivid, but nature often surprises us. Sometimes the most amazing colors appear when you least expect them. So it’s wise to be present for the whole event – before, during, and after the sun crosses the horizon.
(How long should you stick around? At least 30 minutes after the sun has risen or set is a good rule of thumb. This ensures you don’t miss out on any late surprises the sky might have for you.)
4. Make sure your flash is off
Silhouette photograph often involves shooting in dim light (at the start and the end of the day), and most silhouette subjects look pretty dark, too. Therefore, if you have your camera in Auto mode, it may try to turn on the flash, which will ruin the shot.
You see, to capture a silhouette, you need to have as little light as possible on the front of your subject. The goal is to keep the subject dark and the background bright, not the other way around.
So make sure that flash is off! You may need to set your camera to Aperture Priority mode or Manual mode to control the flash (and as I discuss below, these modes are highly useful for silhouette shooting anyway!).
5. Get the light right
Silhouette lighting doesn’t work like normal photographic lighting. To capture a conventional shot, you generally want to ensure that your subject is lit from the front (so that the sun is coming from over your shoulder and striking your subject) or the side (so that the sun is off to your right or left and is striking one half of the subject).
But when you’re shooting silhouettes, you’ll need to reverse this approach. Find the scene’s main light source, then ensure that it’s shining from the back of the subject, not the front. Remember, the goal is to keep the background bright and the subject dark. You don’t need the light to come from directly behind the subject, but the brighter the background, the better.
That’s why it’s easy to create silhouettes at sunrise or sunset; you can position yourself so that you’re shooting into the low sun, and you can frame the dark subject with the bright sky in the background. However, it is possible to capture silhouettes during the middle of the day. You just have to figure out a way to shoot your subject against strong light. For instance, you can:
- Crouch down so that your subjects are framed against the high afternoon sun
- Photograph from below (e.g., folks walking over a bridge)
- Seek out shadowy subjects walking by a brightly lit wall
- Photograph indoors against a bright window
6. Frame your subject with negative space
Even once you’ve chosen the right subject and found the right light, you’ll need to pay careful attention to your composition. The best silhouette shots tend to feature a single subject (or group of subjects) surrounded by empty space, like this:
The empty space (also known as negative space) helps the shot breathe, and it also focuses the viewer on the main subject.
One trick is to shoot when the sky is bright and cloudless; that way, you don’t have to deal with any distracting clouds. You might also try photographing in areas with lots of empty space (e.g., fields, grassy plains, parking lots).
That said, you can also capture fantastic silhouettes that feature more than just a subject plus negative space. Don’t restrict yourself, but do make sure that you only include subjects that contribute to the shot.
7. Prevent shape intersections
If your silhouette composition includes multiple shapes, do your best to keep them separate. A person walking can look great, and a tree can look great, but if the person and the tree overlap, you’ll end up with a confusing mess. The two shapes will merge into one, and the viewer won’t know what’s happening.
Instead, carefully observe the scene and isolate only those shapes that are highly distinct. If you want to include multiple shapes that are currently overlapping, try changing your angle until the shapes separate.
Alternatively, if you’re photographing a moving subject, you can always wait until it changes position.
One related tip: If you’re photographing people, you probably want to silhouette them in profile, not head-on. That way, their features (nose, mouth, and eyes) will be outlined, and they’ll be more recognizable to the viewer.
8. Carefully adjust your exposure for the best results
Most modern cameras are pretty good at exposing photos so that everything is nice and bright. That can cause a problem; after all, you don’t want your subject to turn out nice and bright in a silhouette shot.
So what do you do? You trick your camera.
Simply set the camera to your shooting mode of choice (Aperture Priority can work great for this, but you can try Auto mode, too). Then point your camera at the brightest part of the scene and press the shutter button halfway. On many cameras, this will set the exposure, and as long as you keep the shutter button half-pressed, it’ll remain locked in.
Next, while still partially depressing the shutter button, point your camera at your subject and frame up your composition. Finally, press the shutter button the rest of the way.
With most digital cameras, this will result in a silhouetted subject! Pointing your camera at the bright part of the scene will cause your camera to darken the exposure – and then, when you do take the shot, the main subject will be rendered as a dark silhouette.
Note that some cameras also have a spot metering mode that helps with the above technique. Spot metering causes the camera to set the exposure based on the central part of your frame; with it, you can tell your camera the exact portion of bright background you want to use to determine the exposure. So if you’re not getting the shots you want using the technique discussed above, you can always try switching your metering mode and see if that helps.
9. Try shooting in Manual mode
The technique I discussed above often works well, but if you want even more control over your settings, I’d really recommend shooting in Manual mode.
Manual mode lets you input each and every exposure variable on your own. It can be a little difficult at first, but after a few hours of practice, you’ll get the hang of it.
Once your camera is set to Manual, I’d recommend dialing in a low ISO (100 is a good starting value) and a mid-level aperture (such as f/6.3). Then point your camera at the brightest part of the scene, and adjust the shutter speed until the exposure bar in the viewfinder is balanced.
Take the first shot and review the results on your camera’s LCD. If the image looks too dark, you can always lower the shutter speed, and if the image looks too bright, you can always increase the shutter speed instead.
(If you’re working with very limited light and your shots are turning out dark, you can also widen the aperture or boost the ISO to increase the exposure, but do so sparingly; widening the aperture will limit the area of the photo that’s in focus, while boosting the ISO will add unwanted noise to the image!)
I’d also recommend capturing the same shot using a variety of different exposures – just so you have slightly darker and slightly lighter versions as backup files.
10. Take steps to keep the subject sharp
The best silhouette photograph tends to feature sharp, in-focus subjects.
Unfortunately, this can make the automatic metering process – described in Tip 6 – somewhat tricky. You see, pushing your shutter halfway down to get the metering right also means that your camera will focus on a spot in the background rather than on your subject.
If you’re using the Manual mode shared above, you won’t run into any issues. You can always acquire your exposure settings by pointing your camera at the background, dialing them in, then focusing on your subject. But if you prefer the Auto mode strategy, then you have two options.
First, if your camera offers manual focusing, you can prefocus on your subject. Then, when you meter off the background, the point of focus won’t change. You can effectively frame up your composition before triggering the shutter.
Second, you can try adjusting the aperture to maximize your depth of field (i.e., the amount of your image that is in focus). For this, you’ll need to set a small aperture (i.e., a large f-number, such as f/11 or f/16).
If the f-number is large enough and your subject isn’t too close to the camera, you’ll end up with a sharp subject and a sharp background, even if your camera is focused on the area behind your subject.
11. Look for action
If you’re seeking silhouettes that pop off the screen, think action. A bit of movement can bring a unique layer of interest to your photos. Picture a dancer frozen in mid-leap or a skateboarder executing a trick. These dynamic moments create shapes and lines that captivate your audience.
The key is timing. You’ll want to be ready to click the shutter at just the right moment. Don’t worry; with practice, you’ll get the hang of it (though burst mode can be helpful, too!).
Your camera settings are also crucial here. If your subject is moving fast, you’ll need a quicker shutter speed (1/500s is a good starting point, though you can go slower or faster depending on the speed of your subject).
You don’t always have to plan these action shots, either. Sometimes, the best moments are spontaneous. Keep your camera ready, and keep an eye out. You never know when a cyclist will zoom by, perfectly framed against the setting sun.
12. Be aware of your surroundings
Now that you’re in your spot and set up, it’s easy to become fixated on the spot where the sun is rising or setting. But don’t let that narrow focus limit your creative vision. The sky is a vast canvas, and sometimes the most extraordinary colors appear where you least expect them.
Take a look around. Not just left and right, but also behind you. Sometimes, the sky opposite the rising or setting sun takes on hues just as dramatic, or even more so. These moments can be fleeting, and you have to be prepared to capture them.
If you’re working with a tripod, it should be easy to move. In the rush of capturing a great shot, you might need to pivot quickly to face a different part of the sky. Make sure your tripod and camera setup allow for this.
Bottom line: Keep your eyes peeled and your camera ready. The sun has a way of illuminating clouds and creating color spectacles in unexpected places. So be aware of your surroundings, and be ready to capture the magic wherever it happens.
13. Incorporate reflections into your shots
One trick that can apply that extra touch of magic to your shots? Adding reflections. Not only do reflections add pizzazz to your images, but they also break up the monotony of an all-black foreground.
Once you’ve found the perfect location for your silhouette shoot, keep your eyes peeled for a reflective surface in the foreground. Look out for small pools of water or wet areas, especially if you’re shooting by the beach.
Once you’ve found a nice surface, don’t just shoot without thinking. Instead, you’ll need to adjust your angle to ensure that your entire subject is reflected. For example, if you’re photographing a graceful jogger against the vibrant sunset, you wouldn’t want the reflection to accidentally cut off their head! Try shooting from higher or lower vantage points until you achieve the best composition.
Keep in mind that incorporating reflections into your silhouette photography can require some patience. It’s not always easy to stumble upon the perfect combination of a reflective foreground, a compelling subject, and a captivating background. But the reward is well worth the effort. Don’t give up! Keep exploring, keep searching for those hidden gems, and you’ll be amazed at the incredible opportunities that you uncover.
14. Try partial silhouette photography
While a total silhouette with a crisp, dark subject can be powerful, also consider capturing some partial silhouettes. I’m talking about photos that include some detail on the subject, like this:
As you can see, the subjects are dark, but they’re not completely dark, and you can still see a bit of detail in the sand and the subjects’ clothes.
Sometimes, a touch of light makes the subject slightly more three-dimensional and real, which – depending on your goals – can work well. Plus, a bit of extra detail can add to the mysterious feel of the image.
And if you’re not sure whether to create a full silhouette or a partial silhouette, that’s okay; just bracket your shots! That’s the beauty of bracketing: it will leave you with both total and partial silhouettes to choose from.
15. Create a halo effect
Ever seen those breathtaking silhouettes framed by a heavenly glow? That’s the halo effect, and it’s not as hard to achieve as you might think. This effect adds a radiant outline around your subject.
Now, to get that glow, you’ll need to position your subject directly in front of a light source. The setting sun is ideal for this, of course – so work hard to get the right angle as the sun lowers in the sky. If you can ensure that your subject is the right size in relation to the sun, and you can position your subject so the sun is almost entirely blocked, you can get a beautiful halo around the subject’s edges.
Your camera’s exposure settings come into play here. Experiment with different settings. You’ll find that slight adjustments can make your halo more or less pronounced.
Composition matters, too. Make sure there’s nothing intersecting with your subject’s outline. Random objects or clutter can disrupt the halo. So aim for a clear and unobstructed view.
If you’re struggling, don’t get discouraged. This technique takes practice. Start with simple subjects and work your way up!
16. Include props for unique results
Most photographers create candid silhouettes of distant strangers, but if you’re up for a bit of creative experimentation, why not try some posed shots? While I generally wouldn’t recommend capturing only silhouette shots during a portrait photoshoot, incorporating a few well-placed silhouettes can provide your subject with some cool and artistic photos that stand out from the crowd.
And if you’re really looking to elevate those images, try adding a prop or two. Whether it’s umbrellas, hats, musical instruments, or any other object that catches your fancy, props can inject personality and storytelling into your silhouette images. Just imagine a silhouette of a musician with a guitar, or a dancer with a flowing scarf.
When adding props to your compositions, keep in mind that they should be highly visible and not overshadow your subject. Also, ensure that the prop doesn’t intersect with your subject in a way that detracts from the clear outline you’re trying to create.
Remember, incorporating props is all about adding that extra touch of creativity and fun to your silhouette photography. So don’t be afraid to experiment and think outside the box. Let your imagination run wild!
17. Take a storytelling silhouette
Silhouettes hold the power to tell a story in the simplest sense. Strip away the clutter, the colors, and the chaos, and what you’re left with are raw emotions and actions that speak volumes. Picture a parent stooping to tie their child’s shoelaces, or an elderly couple holding hands while watching the sunset. These moments tell stories that resonate with us all.
Adding more elements to your scene can make it even more dynamic. Think of a busy marketplace with various vendors and shoppers, all silhouetted against the evening sky. Props can also play a role. Imagine a fisherman with his net, or a musician playing a saxophone. Their outlines not only identify them but also say something profound about their life or passion.
As I’ve emphasized throughout this article, it’s crucial to keep your subjects’ outlines clean. Intersections are the enemy of good silhouette stories! So do your best to avoid these overlaps as much as possible.
One final tip: the environment can be a supporting actor in your storytelling. A silhouette framed against a stormy sky can add drama, while a peaceful sunrise can impart a sense of hope or a new beginning.
18. Don’t just photograph people
Most silhouette photographers focus on people, and people do make great silhouette subjects. But you can also capture beautiful – and original – shots by focusing on other interesting objects.
For instance, you can create silhouettes of staircases (by getting down low and shooting upward), buildings, pets, planes, cars, and so much more.
Really, whenever you see a subject with a compelling shape, see if you can position yourself so that you have a nice backlighting effect, then try to shoot a clear silhouette. You’ll often fail to get the result you’re after, but occasionally the photos will look amazing.
19. Try photographing at sunrise
There’s no denying the challenge wind can pose in silhouette photography, especially with plant subjects. A slight breeze can introduce unwanted motion, turning what could have been a crisp silhouette into a blurry mess, especially when the light is very low. One way to circumvent this issue is to schedule your shoot for the early morning hours.
Generally, the wind is much calmer during the sunrise than at sunset. This tranquility allows for steadier shots, particularly if you’re trying to capture delicate subjects like leaves or flowers. The early morning atmosphere tends to be more stable, making it easier to get that perfect shot without any motion blur.
Now, if you’re not a morning person, don’t fret. There are alternatives. For those instances when you have to shoot later in the day, consider increasing your shutter speed. This will help to freeze any motion, reducing the chance of blur. Of course, this might require adjustments to aperture and ISO settings to maintain proper exposure, so be sure to make any necessary tweaks!
20. Use a flash as your main light source
Throughout this article, I’ve talked about photographing silhouettes using natural light. But did you know that you can capture gorgeous shots using flash, too? One benefit of flash silhouette photography is that you can completely control the light direction and strength, which allows you to achieve all sorts of cool effects.
Working with flash can be a bit intimidating, but the goal is simply to make the background brighter than the subject. Position your subject in front of a light-colored backdrop (such as a white wall), point the flash at the wall, then take some shots, with the goal of overexposing the background while underexposing the subject.
You might also try positioning the flash behind your subject so that it’s pointed directly at their back; this will create a rim-lit effect, which can look wonderfully artistic.
21. Spend some time processing your silhouette photos
Even if you nail the silhouette exposure in-camera, I’d recommend making a few minor tweaks using an editing program like Lightroom.
First, adjust the white balance until you get the results you want, then raise or lower the exposure to add or remove detail on the subject. You can also adjust specific tonal sliders for a more refined effect.
If you’re after a punchy silhouette shot, try adding some contrast – and if the image features a beautiful sunrise or sunset in the background, consider boosting the vibrance or the saturation.
Finally, experiment by adding a vignette, creating an eye-catching color grade, or selectively dodging and burning different parts of the image.
22. Try a black-and-white conversion
While the vibrant colors that often accompany silhouettes can be breathtaking, there are times when the color can be a bit too distracting or overwhelming. That’s when a black-and-white conversion comes to the rescue, allowing you to emphasize your subject’s form over the background colors.
Applying a black-and-white conversion can help strip away the distractions and accentuate the interesting outline you’ve captured. Plus, by converting your silhouette photograph to black and white, you’ll give the shot a timeless and artistic quality.
But here’s the best part: If you try a B&W conversion and aren’t entirely convinced by the black-and-white look, don’t fret! If you use a non-destructive editor like Lightroom, you can easily revert back to the original color version without losing any precious details. This gives you the freedom to experiment and determine whether your shot looks best in color and monochrome.
So the next time you’re editing your silhouette photos, consider giving the black-and-white conversion a try. It’s a simple yet powerful technique that can bring out the subject while de-emphasizing the background, and it can add an extra layer of depth and artistry to an already captivating image!
Silhouette portrait photography tips
In the previous section, I offered tips and tricks for silhouette photos more generally – but in this section, I want to focus specifically on how to capture portrait silhouettes.
1. Shoot low and head to toe
Powerful silhouette portraits start with clear, minimalistic compositions. Here’s what I recommend:
Place the subject’s entire body, from head to toe, against the sky. To pull this off, you’ll need to be lower than the subject, so try lying on your back or stomach.
If you are unable to get low enough, you may need to have your subject get higher; ask them to stand on a rock, small hill, or sand dune. In most circumstances, this will allow you to get an angle that places the subject’s entire outline against the sky. (You can see a variety of examples throughout this article.)
Why is this so important?
If you can’t place your subject’s body against the sky, they will merge with the background, and the recognizable silhouette will be lost. You’ll end up with a lot of confusing darkness, and your viewer won’t be able to immediately tell what’s going on.
Also, pro tip:
It’s so, so, so important that your subject’s feet are outlined against the sky! Legs in a silhouette portrait that are cut off above the feet look like weird, short stumps:
Even with all this composition advice in mind, there will be times when you just can’t find a suitable spot for a full-body-framed-against-the-sky type silhouette.
And when that happens, you don’t need to give up on silhouettes entirely. Just get closer to your subject and create tighter compositions, focusing on the areas of your subject that are framed by the sky.
2. Use perfect silhouette portrait posing
Silhouettes are very forgiving of poor facial expressions (because you cannot see them!). But silhouettes are very harsh when it comes to posing.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when posing subjects for a silhouette:
- Hugging poses do not work. A hug silhouette looks like a great big blob monster. Instead, all subjects need to be clearly defined, which means they need to be at least a couple of inches apart from each other. It’s nice for subjects to still be connected – but by holding hands or kissing, not by hugging.
- Have your clients look away from the camera. Face profiles look beautiful and natural.
- Watch the clothing. Very baggy clothing won’t work well for silhouettes; the shape can become unflattering. It is best to wear form-fitting clothes, as this helps clearly define your subject against the sky.
3. Take portrait silhouettes whenever you can (because they sell!)
Try to capture at least one silhouette at every photo shoot, whether it is a family portrait, maternity, engagement, or wedding.
Why? Because silhouettes sell!
Here are some reasons why silhouettes are great for client shoots:
- Silhouettes add variety to the series. Silhouettes are so different in their colors and style – and the variety they give instantly makes any shoot more interesting. Plus, because silhouettes are unique compared to standard portraits, they’re easy to sell individually as a piece of artwork.
- Silhouettes are perfect for shy clients. Some clients hate the idea of their faces hanging up on the wall. This makes silhouettes the perfect compromise! A silhouette can be marketed to a client as the perfect piece of personalized artwork – without making them feel uncomfortable or self-conscious.
- Silhouettes look better when printed big! Wide-angle silhouettes and scenic, environmental compositions look great, especially when printed large. So if you do capture wider silhouettes, you can sell them as a large piece of artwork. The client will love it, and it’ll be a more profitable sale for you.
Street photography silhouette tips
Street photography silhouettes are eye-catching, not to mention beautiful. But beginners often struggle to achieve great results – the kinds of compositions that feature clear main subjects, complementary backgrounds, and gorgeous light.
Here’s the good news: Creating silhouettes on the street is a lot easier than you think. I’ve been doing it for years, and below, I share everything you need to know for amazing results!
1. Shoot in the right light
For the best street silhouettes, you must shoot a dark subject against a well-lit background – which means that the more contrasty the lighting, the better.
You may have heard that great photographers only ever shoot in the morning and the evening (during the golden hours). But when it comes to street photography, nothing could be further from the truth.
Instead, many street photographers love to shoot in the middle of the day, when the sun is high overhead and produces harsh light. The harsh light ensures that certain subjects are powerfully lit, while the high lighting angle creates plenty of interesting shadows (especially in cities with tall buildings).
And shadows are the best friend of the silhouette street photographer.
Why? Because if you can find a bright background, and then – just in front of the background – is a shadow, subjects who walk by will be darkened by the shadow and silhouetted against the bright background.
Of course, you can capture great results when the sun is lower in the sky. An evening sun can produce long shadows (so you can create the same effect discussed above). Plus, if you shoot during the golden hours, you can angle your camera so that your subject is silhouetted against a breathtaking sunset.
If you’re after silhouettes, I’d encourage you to avoid photographing on cloudy days, though. Clouds soften the light and limit contrast. (If you’re dead set on capturing silhouettes, try shooting indoors, where you can use the contrast between your subject and a window to get a beautiful result!)
2. Choose the perfect camera settings for street silhouettes
To shoot a street photography silhouette, you must take control of your camera. Silhouettes require radical underexposure, so work in Manual mode (so you can choose your settings independently) or Aperture Priority (so you can underexpose via exposure compensation).
Make sure your flash is turned off, then – if you have the time – take some test shots of your scene. You’ll want to keep adjusting the exposure until your foreground subjects are completely black; add negative exposure compensation or boost the shutter speed.
A timesaving trick here is to point your camera at the bright area behind the subject, lock the exposure settings, recompose, and capture your shot. That way, your camera will expose for the background and render the foreground black. Make sense?
Another option is to set your camera to its spot metering mode, then meter off the brightest area behind the subject.
(If you leave your camera to its own devices, it’ll often try to expose for your subject. The result will include far too much detail in the subject and blow out the highlights in the background.)
Make sure you carefully focus on your silhouetted subject. If you’re struggling to lock onto your subject, you can try switching over to manual focus. To give yourself room for error, narrow the aperture to f/8 or so for a deeper depth of field.
3. Don’t be afraid to blow out the highlights
Some street photography silhouettes rely on highlight detail. Subjects captured against a rising or setting sun, for instance, can feature beautiful background clouds that add plenty of color and atmosphere.
That said…
Sometimes you can let the highlights blow out for a more dramatic effect.
In other words, you can subtly adjust your exposure to create a bright-white background, like this:
To get this effect, you’ll need to make sure your subject is sufficiently shaded and your background is sufficiently bright. You need real contrast. If you’re outdoors, try to find a bright white background and wait for a subject to walk by; if you’re inside, look for larger windows that’ll offer plenty of brightness.
And aim to set your exposure somewhere between the shaded subject and well-lit background. You can expose for the subject but drop the exposure a few stops, or you can expose for the background but raise the exposure a few stops. (If you’re not sure which method you prefer, try both!)
4. Capture the right outline
Great street photos don’t include just any silhouette. Instead, they feature silhouettes that:
- Are well-defined
- Have a recognizable shape
- Do not have any additional items (such as signs) protruding from the main outline
What’s important here is that the viewer can clearly tell the silhouette is created by a person. Therefore, it’s best to shoot subjects that are facing sideways (so that their nose and chin are visible) or forward (so that you can see their arms, legs, and head), and it’s important to avoid letting the silhouette overlap with other silhouetted objects, such as street scenes or even other people.
For an even more dynamic image, capture subjects in mid-stride or mid-gesture:
To get the best results with moving subjects, you’ll need to be fast. Raise your camera to your eye a few seconds before the subject walks by, then hit the shutter button just as they take a step!
5. Avoid obstructions
The best silhouette street photos contain an unobstructed view of the subject. In other words, the image should have no foreground or background elements that cross the subject, such as posts, signs, other people, or cars.
Why is this important?
Good silhouettes feature clear outlines. But if elements cross your subject, the outline will become confusing, and the viewer will struggle to interpret the shot.
So before you take an image, glance across the entire composition. Ask yourself: Do I see any problematic elements that could muddy up the silhouette? If so, see if you can fix the problem by moving a few feet to the left or the right. You can also try dropping down low – or, if you’re shooting a moving element, you could simply wait until it changes position.
When capturing the image below, I waited until the woman with the suitcase walked between the posts. Then I fired the shutter!
6. Add in a creative effect or two
If you want to take your street photos to the next level, don’t just achieve a solid silhouette outline and call it a day. Instead, strive to incorporate creative effects into your shots!
For instance, by stopping down your lens aperture and positioning the sun along the edge of an object, you can create a beautiful sunburst:
Another option is to shoot with flowers or leaves close to your camera, then use a wide aperture to create a pleasing blur.
I’d also encourage you to change up your angle. By getting down low, you can make your silhouetted subject loom over the viewer – and by getting up high, you can capture wider street scenes that feature all sorts of action.
7. Try a minimalist approach
Minimalism refers to a compositional approach that includes plenty of negative space. The subject is often small in the frame, like this:
And because silhouette scenes tend to lack lots of detail and because the main subject is generally so eye-catching, they lend themselves well to a minimalist approach.
The key here is to find a scene that offers plenty of negative space. Look for buildings with bright windows, stretches of ocean with silhouetted passersby, and bridges that you can photograph from below.
Get into position. Make sure to compose so that you include lots of empty space around the subject. Test out a few compositions if you have the time, just so you can get a sense of what works and what doesn’t.
Then, when the right subject walks through the area, take a shot! The small silhouetted person will anchor the composition, and you’ll end up with a beautifully minimalistic street photo.
8. Enhance your street silhouette in post-processing
Great street photos start in the field. If you don’t get the camera settings right, the composition right, and the lighting right, then your shots just won’t look good no matter how much time you spend on editing.
However, once you’ve captured a good silhouette in the field, you can certainly enhance it with a bit of post-processing. (And if you work in RAW – which I highly recommend! – then processing is a necessary part of your photography workflow anyway.)
Start by tweaking the exposure and the white balance. Make sure you have the overall look that you’re after, then dive into your heavier editing options. Boosting the contrast is generally a good move. If you find that your subject includes too much detail but you don’t want to tweak the highlights, try dropping the blacks or the shadows; conversely, if you like the look of your subject but you want to brighten the background, try boosting the whites or the highlights.
You might also play with different saturation values. And if you want to create a very unique effect, consider adding some sort of color grade. At the end of the day, this is about personal preference – so you won’t know what works until you try it!
Silhouette photography ideas to get you started
So you’re ready to dip your toes into the captivating world of silhouette photography but you’re not sure where to start? Don’t worry – ideas are your starting points, and I’ve got a bundle to fuel your creativity.
Landscape lovers, consider framing a silhouette with a waterfall in the background. Or how about capturing the outline of a lone tree against a fiery sunset? Don’t shy away from using natural elements like mountains or oceans as a backdrop. They can add a powerful touch to your silhouettes. Here are a few additional landscape photography silhouette ideas to consider:
- Mountain peaks outlined by twilight
- A cactus in a desert landscape with a colorful sky
- A waterfall with rocks or foliage in the foreground
- Cloud formations with a cliff edge
- A pier stretching into a sunset-lit ocean
- Silhouettes of boats on a calm lake
- A windmill against a dramatic sky
- An island surrounded by a glowing horizon
- A snowy field with barren trees
Now, if you’re more into people and portraits, think about expressive poses. A simple yet impactful idea is having someone leap into the air with their arms stretched out. Capturing a couple’s embrace during a setting sun can evoke intense emotion. Need more portrait photography silhouette ideas? Check these out:
- A musician playing an instrument
- Someone meditating in a peaceful setting
- A dancer frozen mid-leap
- A fisherman casting a line
- Kids playing catch in a field
- A jogger in motion
- Someone reading a book under a tree
- A person holding an umbrella in the rain
For those of you who love the urban buzz, street photography has its own charm in silhouette form. Imagine a cyclist riding past a lit-up billboard at night. Or a crowded bus stop with people absorbed in their own worlds. You could also look for architectural elements, like archways or staircases, to frame your silhouette subjects.
For more street silhouette ideas, why not photograph:
- Street performers in action
- A taxi against neon signs
- Pedestrians crossing a busy intersection
- A vendor selling street food
- An old man sitting on a park bench
- Kids skateboarding on a ramp
- Silhouettes inside a subway car
- A joyous parade
Feel free to mix, match, and tweak these ideas. The goal is to get your creative juices flowing. And once they are, there’s no stopping you.
How to photograph silhouettes: final words
Now that we’ve reached the end of our journey into the captivating world of silhouette photography, I hope you’re as excited as I am about all the incredible possibilities this technique offers.
Remember, there are no rules when it comes to silhouettes. You can stick with vibrant colors that sing harmoniously or go for the drama of black and white. And don’t be afraid to incorporate props for that extra touch of uniqueness – imagine a dancer twirling with an umbrella under a fiery sky!
Now, armed with the knowledge we’ve shared, it’s time for you to unleash your creativity. Grab your camera, and embrace the simplicity, the elegance, and the pure artistry of silhouettes!
Now over to you:
Have any silhouette tips or photos you’d like to share? Share them in the comments below!
The post Silhouette Photography: The Ultimate Guide (+ 33 Tips) appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.
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