Creating a Silhouette Photograph

Silhouettes are a great way to convey drama, a bit of mystery and emotion in your photography. They can be achieved several different ways, however the underlying theme of a silhouette is the same: expose for the background.

Controlling your background exposure will influence how much detail you’d like to show with your subject in the foreground. Silhouette photographs, specifically with maternity images, can be very flattering and show off the shape of the belly. These types of images are perfect for those who may feel self-conscious about their body during this stage in their life. Below are a few general tips for posing your subject to get the perfect silhouette image.

When it comes to silhouette images and posing your subject, it is best to keep in mind that your subject is going to have little to no detail in their features. One of the best ways to pose your subject is to have them face to the side. Facing to the side will provide a great outline and a distinctive shape. It is important to create some separation with some of your subjects’ features. For example, having your subject place their front arm away from their body will add more shape to your silhouette. To add more shape to your subject, have your subject extend their front leg and arch their back. This will create a linear angle of the body and enhance the “S” shape, which is very flattering to a woman’s maternity figure.

Another tip when posing your subject is to pay attention to your subjects’ hair. Smoothing out any little bumps or fly-aways will create a smooth outline. Having to expose for the background will emphasize any details along the edge of your subject. Having your subject pulling their hair back into a ponytail will also create separation and add to the shape of your silhouette.

Below are two techniques and different types of settings to achieve the perfect Silhouette photograph.

Achieving a silhouette with natural light can happen in two different settings: indoors or outdoors. If you are photographing your subject indoors, place your subject in front of a window allowing the brightest part of your photo to be the background.

When photographing outdoors there are additional options a photographer can take advantage of. These additional advantages include photographing during a sunrise, sunset, or in conditions that allow for the background to over power the subject. If you decide to take your subjects outside, be mindful of your background, you do not want anything to come between your subject and the background. Keeping the background simple and clutter free will put emphasize on your subject in the foreground. A great location for an outdoor silhouette could include a beach or an open field.

A photographer has more control over lighting conditions when photographing in a studio setting. Setting up for a silhouette in the studio usually requires two studio lights pointed towards the background and behind the subject.

Controlling the amount of detail shown in the foreground can have a great effect to the overall image. While some people may think that a silhouette image should be where the foreground is simply blacked out, allowing some detail of your subject to come through will add another element to your photograph. Showing some detail in the face is a perfect way to convey emotions and your viewer may have more of a personal connection to the image.

If you would like to see more of our maternity portraits, please visit our maternity gallery located at:

Maternity Photography Gallery

SPRING IS UPON US AND A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY FOR MATERNITY PORTRAITS OUTDOORS

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN PLANNING YOUR OUTDOOR MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION

SUNSET MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY WITH PHOEBE