Behind the Lens - Silhouettes / LJWorld.com

Behind the Lens gallery

This selection of photographs demonstrates various examples of silhouettes and descriptions of how they were created.

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A large window provides a bright backdrop to silhouette a diver and judges during a swim meet.

This was a situation where I was looking to silhouette the girl and rake against the sunlight scene in the background. In this frame you can see there is not enough separation between the girl and the tree to recognize her form or outline.

Photo by Mike Yoder

This was a situation where I was looking to silhouette the girl and rake against the sunlight scene in the background. In this frame you can see how the smallest of separation between the dark form of the tree and the girl creates the necessary spacing for a silhouette. Although many silhouettes do not have detail on the subjects interior, in this example I choose an exposure that maintained some detail in the girls face and clothes.

Photo by Mike Yoder

This photo uses the bright sky as a backdrop. Setting the camera to underexpose the scene, only the outline and forms of leaves and pigeons remain in this silhouette photograph.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Two young contestants in a horse show are silhouetted. The photographer achieved this effect by standing inside a dark arena and aiming the camera outside into the bright sunlight. While the photographer was framed on the two riders at center and right, the third cowgirl rode through to complete the photograph.

Photo by Mike Yoder

Sandhill cranes fly over trees along the Platte River near Kearney, Neb. Underexposing the sky and trees created a silhouette at sunset.

Photo by Mike Yoder

This is a situation where a silhouette of a cat could be effective, but because the cat's body, especially the distinctive head and ears, extends beyond the brighter light of the window, the silhouette is hard read. Maintaining a complete form or outline of a subject is important for successful silhouettes.

Photo by Mike Yoder

A Kansas University students makes his way toward the dorms on Daisy Hill. Despite a background full of buildings, photographer Nick Krug was able to create a silhouette of this scene. By realizing that the shade of the tree would keep the sunlight off the student, Krug was able to expose for the distant buildings and let the underexposed tree and student become a silhouette.

Photo by Nick Krug