One of the subjects I shoot more than anything at night are silhouettes. They are perfect to capture with little effort and all you need to do is get the right location and subject…then plan for the best light and volia!!! you have your powerful silhouettes. Shooting into the sunlight causes your cameras light meter to close down for the bright light. The result is a dark subject and beautiful background. With digital, all you need to do is check your LCD on the back of the camera and see if your background is exposed the way you want. If it is and the foreground subject is black, then you are all set.
There are so many great subjects that make a perfect silhouette and you can use the ambient light from daytime or nightime or set up lights yourself as I do many times with pregnant women. Studio silhouettes make pretty strong photographs and you can tailor the lights to get just the look and feel you need.
Whether you are indoors or outside, silhouettes can make for some incredibly dramatic photographs. From the camels walking along the sand dunes in India to a lone woman on the UBein Bridge in Burma at sunset to a model in the desert of Joshua Tree……silhouette possibilities are endless. There is nothing else like a powerful silhouette!!
I love the light coming through the plane windows, especially. Silhouettes are often my favorite photos.
you’re one of the best photographers I’ve ever seen ……I Love your work on light……the night scene are amazing…..I’m a beginer and I thank you to show me the way…..bye
Thank you Joy! Was a fun night at the LAX airport…love shooting there and the setting sun was gorgeous that night.
thanx for writing
scotty
You have without a doubt been a HUGE inspiration for me when it comes to photography. I can only hope to one day be able to take photos even half and stunning and original as you. Keep up the good work! 🙂
Hannah
Keep shooting and learning Hannah…..never stop learning. You will only get better…
thank you for writing!!!
see ya Hannah,
scotty
I love your work! Your photos are the best i ve seen so far. I read Harold Davis’ book after reading your blog for long exposure and star trails. I would have to say i like your shots over his! I am glad i can learn so much by just looking at your shots. I am a beginner. Started shooting with a DSLR only 3 months back 🙂
Cheers
Angad
Hi Angad,
Thank you for the very cool note and I hope you have a lot of fun shooting after dark because it is definitely one of my favorite things in life to do. what it takes is so much work……. and lots of reading and that’s why I like
Harold Davis’s book…… he’s great at it and I can’t get enough of shooting the sky after dark. You just keep practicing and reading everything you can and don’t forget…. the sky is the limit!!!
see ya Angad!!!
scotty