Shadowy silhouettes
Q What makes for a successful silhouette photo? Tim Danes
AYour question had me really thinking, Tim. In order to answer it, I spent some time looking through my own portfolio, as well as searching out as many silhouette shots as possible. I came to one overriding principle for an effective silhouette: simplicity of shape. While the impact of colour is a factor in many silhouettes, particularly as so many are taken at sunrise or sunset, often with a beautiful orange or red sky backdrop, you can find equally impactful silhouettes in black and white.
Obviously, a silhouette is all about contrast between the dark shape and the lighter area behind it. When that division is reduced, either through the tonal contrast being less effective or simply when the shapes are less distinct, then the eye is less likely to be held on the picture. When you think about it, simplicity of shape is almost all we have with a silhouette photo, because the way it’s exposed reduces the amount of detail in the shot, so the narrative of the image is relying on extremes of light and shade. Whether colour or black and white, a successful silhouette will always have impact, making it an excellent option when conditions allow. The composition has to be balanced between the areas of shadow and highlight – if you get that wrong then the shot is less effective.
Here, I have converted a colourful silhouette of flamingos at sunset to black and white. Both options work because I’ve maintained that balance, but I think I prefer the colour version, because the beautiful lighting adds additional mood and atmosphere, which helps to tell the story. In short, consider the shapes you are going to throw into deep shadow. If you have a number of shapes like I do, are they all distinct enough, and what is their relationship with the brighter background? Get the composition right and expose so that the contrast range is extreme enough, and a silhouette is going to make for a powerful photograph.