How To Capture Silhouettes In Travel Photography

One of the key requirements for any photographer these days is in being able to capture photos that are different from what already exists. A more artistic way of doing is to take exquisite silhouette shots. But are there any tips and tricks for making sure that you get good ones? So, to avoid making mistakes, check out this guide for how to capture silhouettes in travel photography.

What’s a silhouette?

Basically, a silhouette is the shadow outline of a subject. When you have your subject properly composed, imagine that without the borders of their shape you have darkness, and this is placed against a brighter background.

This method of photography is an excellent way to bring more depth to your images. It adds drama and heightens the mystery around your subject. It elicits specific curious feelings in the image, and if you are travelling, it’s a great way to make a poignant connection between the subject and the environment.

Snapping off a random image against a nice background won’t quite do the trick, however. For that, you’ll need to learn a little more about silhouettes and how they work best.

Location, location, location

Getting a silhouette to work right in photography, especially when you’re travelling, is all about selecting the right location. Lighting plays just as large a role, of course, which we’ll cover next.

First, though, you have to set up your subject and compose your shot in the right location. Placing the subject against a lighter background of a wall isn’t going to bring a dynamic look to your image. If the point is to get a sense of the wonderous landscape while you’re travelling, then set up your shot against a sprawling field or a landmark.

Think about why you went on this trip in the first place. What is so engaging about the setting? Once you answer that question, you’ll be able to more easily select your background.

Get the lighting right

Silhouettes in travel photography can be truly engaging, but how do you get the lighting just right to actually make it work?

It’s actually easier than you might think, and it has a lot to do with positioning your light source. A silhouette is created when your subject is placed in the foreground, with a stronger light source in the background, right behind your subject.

You’ll need to turn off any strobe effects or flashes to make this work, otherwise, you’ll only end up lighting your subject when the shutter opens, ruining your carefully positioned silhouette.

If you’re doing this outdoors, then the best time of day to shoot a silhouette is either in the early hours of the morning or later in the day when the sun is right on the horizon line. Position your subject correctly and you’ll have a gorgeous silhouette shot prepared. If you have more than one subject, make sure that they aren’t too close together, or else they’ll just come out as one big blob of blackness. You’ll want a little space between each subject so that their outlines become clear.

Take the shot in manual mode

If you’ve allowed your camera to make settings adjustments for you, you’re probably not going to get a shot as good as if you were adjusting yourself. When you shoot a silhouette in manual mode, you can set your meter to expose the background light and not your subject, which is vital. Shooting in manual allows you to better control your aperture, ISO, and shutter speed.

Additionally, by underexposing the shot just a little, your subject may come out with a darker silhouette, adding to the intensity of the final visual. You can always tinker with the exposure after in post-processing if you need to anyway, so this gives you the option.

Try it in auto mode

Yes, it would likely be better in manual, but that’s not to say that you won’t still get a good shot in auto mode, too!

Aim your lens at the sky, but not directly at your light source. Then quickly focus back on your subject and take the shot. Your camera may automatically select the exposure setting for you when the trigger is half down in auto mode. If done properly, you can trick your camera into taking a nice silhouette shot for you.

Select your subjects wisely

If you’re taking a silhouette shot of a group of people, then you’re going to want to leave some space between each person. As mentioned above, if the subjects are too close together, then their outlines are going to merge and the photo won’t work. You can easily fix this by separating them a little, giving them just enough room for their outlines to be poignant. In short, have them hold hands instead of embracing.

If you are shooting scenery (such as a tree), then select something very dense as your subject. Your subject should always be in sharp focus, but if you have a subject that isn’t very dense, then there won’t be as much detail in your shot.

For those seeking a nice silhouette of a skyline, select one that has a lot of variance. If everything is the same height and basic shape, then it’s all going to blend together and not be nearly as interesting.

A great silhouette can look fantastic anywhere. But it is not always straightforward or easy to capture a good shot. You’ll need to do some research, preparation and have the patience to wait for the right time to be able to capture the photo. Remember to also pay extra attention to your composition so that you can capture those stunning silhouette shots.

Photo credits: Kav Dadfar – All rights reserved. No usage without permission. Dreamstime.