We normally shoot subjects we like having the light behind us to minimize or avoid unwanted shadows. But what if you turn around and shoot straight directly into the light source. This is another great portrait technique used by most portrait photographers which produces a dark shade of your subject against a lighter background also known as silhouette photography. It places great importance on shape and contrast.
Capture The Dark Side Of Portraits in 5 Steps:
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Put the light source behind your subject.
This will create an outline that appears dark against a light background.
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Choose an appropriate background.
Several of the most powerful images in silhouette are produced in black and white. Backgrounds in color can be very effective if they are not distracting.
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Position your subject to stand out from the background.
Keep the shape of your subject as simple as possible. Try to avoid so much light in the foreground or infront of your subject.
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Adjust your camera exposure setting.
Focus your camera to the background and press the shutter button half down while you meter the scene and reframe the shot.
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Take the shot.
Fully press and release the shutter button to capture your subject. The camera will expose the background while underexposing the foreground.
When you want to expand your photography portfolio, try shooting some dark shades of portraits in silhouettes. With the right exposure and concept, it can provide you unique and extraordinary images in your collection.
22 Dark Shades of Portraits in Photography
01 True Chairs by Codrin Baleanu
02 Photo by AP/Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast
03 Sea Silhouette by Fernando Gonzale
04 Silhouettes4 by Hypnoughtik
05 Overkill by Middeneaht
06 Photo by MANAN VATSYAYAN/AFP/Getty Images
07 Photo by Magdalena Rakita
08 Fertility01 by Roger Jourdain
09 Pumped by Geoffrey Jones
10 Desire for Freedom by Riccardo Romano
11 Cave Mouth Silhouette by Raymond Gehman
12 People Watching by Stuart Richards
13 Photo by Simpologist
14 Flying Over Rock by Alessandra Meniconzi
15 Photo by Tomaocron
16 A Single Splendid Sun by PixelSeeker
17 The Girls Have Gone Wild by Bittersweetvenom
18 The Visitor by Latoday
19 Silhouette by AmateurSoul
20 Photography Is Not A Crime by Xava du
21 Photo by Vramak
022 Photo by Tanakawho
Aurora Gatbonton and the rest of the WPD Blog Team wants you to get hitched with creativity, style, and technology.