Street Photography Silhouette Tutorial

Photography Tips  •  Street Photography

In his latest YouTube video, street photographer Rupert Vandervell shares valuable tips and insights for capturing stunning high contrast photographs using silhouettes. Silhouettes have the ability to create powerful images and emphasize the human form against intricate backdrops, making for captivating fine art photography.

Key Takeaways:

Importance of Light and Dark Balance: In high contrast fine art photography, the balance between light and dark is crucial. Black and white photography is ideal for showcasing this style, as it allows for pushing the tonal ranges to the extreme.

Capturing the Human Form: Silhouettes emphasize the human form against geometric shapes and street scenes. For maximum impact, look for people with interesting shapes, such as those wearing hats, flowing coats, or carrying bags.

Backlit Scenes and Subject Placement: Backlit scenes work best for shooting silhouettes. Place subjects prominently against the backdrop and anticipate their movements, using continuous shutter mode to capture a wide range of poses.

Exposure Techniques: Expose for the lightest areas in the frame to create high contrast images. Generally underexpose by a third of a stop to increase contrast. Lock the exposure, reframe the composition, and shoot.

Unusual Backdrops: Look for unique backdrops to create interesting silhouettes. For example, water fountains can provide a beautiful backdrop as they catch the light.

Working with Groups: Groups of people can create interesting images, especially when set against a contrasting backdrop such as a church. Be ready to capture these moments by constantly adjusting your position and exposure.

Bold Shadows: Deep shadows can enhance the impact of the shapes and forms in the image. Use shadows as a framing device to isolate parts of the image and strengthen the focal point.

Shooting Silhouettes at Night: Nighttime silhouettes offer plenty of opportunities to create intriguing images. Expose for the lighter areas in the scene to ensure dark silhouettes and shadows.

Silhouettes are an exciting and effective way to create high contrast fine art photography. By exposing for the lighter areas of the scene, focusing on interesting shapes and forms, and experimenting with unique backdrops, photographers can create captivating images that stand out.