When I shoot photos, I love capturing silhouettes–which appear as a dark outline against a brighter background. They are a marvelous technique to add to your photographic repetoire because they can add drama, mystery, emotion, and atmosphere to your photos. They can also tell a story to your viewers.
Here are some examples from my files:
In this first image shot in Rome, I captured a family as they walked around the Capitoline Hills right before sunset. The light created dramatic shadows as it crossed the ancient Roman road and helped create a mood in the photo. Because the members of the family appear as shadowy outlines, there’s a sense of mystery about them. Some of the trees are also silhouetted against the evening sky.
When we see silhouettes in a picture, we use our imagination to fill in the details. In the second image, we might wonder about the two women or the dark clouds on the horizon. Is a storm coming? Why are there so many boats at the mouth of the harbor? As we search for clues in the photo, we might deduce that the boats are oil tankers, waiting to fill up the ships’ hold with petroleum.
I shot this photo at Hollywood Beach, Florida early one morning when I spotted a woman highlighted against the sparkling waves. Her image tells the story of a new mother setting up a tent and an umbrella for her baby, who is sleeping in a stroller. I imagined her day–a few hours at the beach spent relaxing on the sand and caring for her child.
The last image is one of my favorites from our visit to Joshua Tree National Park. I love how the settling sun creates marvelous silhouettes of the famous Joshua trees, which look other-worldly in the fading light.
This week, we invite you to explore silhouettes for Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #62. Feel free to include silhouettes of buildings, people, objects, and/or elements from nature. In your post, include a link to this post. (Important note: Do not use links from the Reader because they are not working correctly.) Use the Lens-Artists tag to help us find you. For instructions on how to join us, click here.
Last week, Tina invited us to share photos of our precious pets. Being a pet lover, I truly enjoyed your posts and stories.
Have You Seen These?
- Davide recently joined our challenges. Last week, he shared his passion for photographing pets.
- Woolly Muses posted a marvelous tribute to his hard-working and faithful dog, Brandy, who worked with him on a sheep ranch in Australia for many years.
- Sue (Mac’s Girl) treated us to a family memoir about her pets.
- Raj of Expressed Digitally shared beautiful portraits of pets that reveal their unique personalities.
Next week, it’s Ann Christine’s turn to host Challenge #63, so please stop by her site! Tina, Ann-Christine, Amy, and I hope you join us.
Categories: Lens-Artists Photo Challenge, Photography
The shadow knows: https://photographyocd.com/2019/09/07/pulvis-et-umbra-sumus/
A fabulous shot, Mike! Perfect for the challenge.
a striking theme ,inspires one to focus on the amazing variety of shapes in nature and the force of dark shades that are manifest in nature
Hi, Anjum. Yes. That’s true. It’s a way to look at the shadows around us. Glad you like this theme!
will try to respond Insha allah love these beautiful challenges
🙂 🙂
Wonderful captures Patti, have a nice weekend!!!
Thank you so much, Paulo! I hope you join us.
Ah, silhouettes! Love ‘em, I shall hunt some out for this challenge later on….
I’m glad you’re joining us, Sue. Glad you like this theme. 🙂
I always try to join Lens-artists, Patti!
We’re very glad you join us!
That first one’s a scene from a movie, Patti. 😘 I like silhouettes a lot too. The bougainvillea on my roof terrace is making a nice one right now. Happy weekend and thanks for another nice challenge. 🤗💕
Hi, Jo. Wonderful to hear from you! I’m so glad you like that first one. I hope you take a shot of the bougainvillea. (Hint, hint) Have a great weekend, too.
Glad you joined us!
Beautiful photos. That third photo has such intimacy, in spite of being totally anonymous. Beautiful.
This is a hard topic for me, but I managed to pull out a photo which I was disappointed by (it was only a silhouette I thought), but it is exactly what you ordered. https://blackbodyblog.wordpress.com/2019/09/07/black-bird/
Hi, IJ. Wonderful that you’re joining us. I’ll look at your image next. Thanks too for your kind words about the shot of the mother and child. It is interesting how the silhouette gives us an intimate portrait. You’re right. That’s the exact word for it. Intimate.
hi patti, a wonderful idea and photo for the week theme, here is my post for the challenge theme, https://wp.me/p2AvI7-3ee.
greetings robert
Hi, Robert. Glad you like this theme and my images! Your images at the beach work well for the challenge. Glad you joined us!
Great theme: and I love the way you have captured so many different moods and stories in your silhouettes.
Hi, Su. I guess you know I’m a writer, so I always love a good story! It’s fun trying to visualize a story in an image and in words. Thanks so much for your feedback!
Excellent silhouette images, Patti. Love your Joshua Tree.
Thank you, thank you! I went out on a photo shoot with a professional photographer so he knew all the best spots and the best time of day to shoot. It was a lot of fun.
Hello dear that beautiful dear
Excellent silhouette images, Patti! Love this theme! Favorites must be the lady on the beach and the enigmatic Joshua tree. Love her lonely silhouette against a sparkling sea.
https://lagottocattleya.wordpress.com/2019/09/07/lens-artists-photo-challenge-62-silhouettes/
Thank you so much, A-C. I don’t take shots with silhouettes very often, but I am definitely going to change that! I am so glad this theme resonated with you, too. Thanks too for your kind words about the shots.
Loved them all, Patti, but the woman with her baby went straight to my heart!
:). 🙂
Great shots as always.
I like how the Florida Beach shot has a strong enough contrast in light that it almost feels like it could’ve been taken as a shot during a film’s version of night.
I also like how the Joshua Tree shot implies sparseness without showing it in its entirety.
Here’s mine for this week:
https://stupidityhole.wordpress.com/2019/09/08/silhouette-smiths-lake/
Thank you so much, SH! I appreciate your insights and reactions to these shots. I can see what you mean about the beach shot coming from a film and the Joshua tree conveying sparseness. It helps me to understand how others view my work. Thanks! I’m glad you joined the challenge this week!
Thank you for having me 🙂
Terrific challenge Patti. Loved your shots especially (of course) the Joshua Tree 😊
Thank you so much, Tina. :). :). I still can’t get over the beauty of the JT National Park. It is hauntingly beautiful. I’m wondering where your shots will be taken…Kiawah? China? Israel….Um….Looking forward to seeing them!
Here is mine for the week! Love your beach photos!!
https://norasphotos4u.wordpress.com/2019/09/07/lens-artists-silhouette/
Hi, Nora. Thank you! I’m glad you’re joining us. :).
Me too – thanx!!
Excited about getting back into this! Thank you!!!!
https://ichoosethis.blog/2019/09/07/lens-artists-challenge-62-silhouettes/
Hi, Pam. Welcome back! I loved your shots for the challenge.
Thanks so much for the encouragement!! Happy to be back! 🙂
So are we!
🙂
Glad you joined us, Abrie. :).
All are fabulous photos. My favorite is the one from Joshua Tree.
Hi, Beth. Thank you so much! I’ve collected them over the years, but after this challenge, I want to shoot them more often. JT is an amazing place. I hope you have the chance to go there.
We were there about 12 years ago. I agree, an amazing place
I really enjoyed this. Silhouettes are so dramatic and interesting.
Hi, Anne. Very true about silhouettes. I love how they can tell a story. I hope you join us this week!
All are gorgeous, Patti. Thanks for the idea…
Beautiful shots of Istanbul, Nurul. Now you’ve made me curious to go there! And thanks too for your kind words.
Very nice! I like the b&w most 😀
Thank you so much, Tatiana! I am happy with the b & w shots. Glad you agree!
Glad you joined us, Chris.
Thanks for this fun challenge, Patti!
You’re very welcome, Angela! I enjoyed your post.
I love that gull, Tallulahbass!
Glad you joined us, Viveka! Great gallery!
Glad you joined us, Yvette!
Wonderful image!
Great post! Joshua tree is fantastic.
Thank you so much, Ana. I appreciate that. I hope you join us!
Glad you joined us, Ana. 🙂
My entries for the challenge
https://davidecasertavisions.com/2019/09/08/lens-artist-photo-challenge-62-silhouettes/
Beautiful shots, Davide.
Beautiful gallery, Raj.
A great challenge for the week Patti. Love your set of pictures. The shot at Hollywood beach is simply magical!
I’m so glad to hear that, Raj! I value your feedback. As I wrote on your post, I learned something about balancing the amount of light and shadow when working on this post. Some detail, but not too much! It’s a balancing act!
True, the play of light and shadows is the key. More curious your picture better the result! 🙏😍
Very true.
Hi Patti, another inspiring theme this week, thank you. Your photos are wonderful to see.
I choose for some not too dark silhouettes, it makes the view softer. https://wp.me/paGem-6lU
I enjoyed your shot, Chris and our conversation!
Thank you Patti, I enjoyed our conversation too!
Wonderful image!
Glad you joined us, Brian!
Very powerful images, Brian.
Glad you joined us, Shelley!
Beautiful silhouettes, Shelley. I am with you–learning as I go!
I mixed a few silhouettes among this post if that’s ok Patti 🙂
A bit late Debbie for Saturday.
Of course, Brian. I thought your post was very powerful.
Thank you. I should really just do a separate silhouettes post
I love silhouettes but they aren’t always easy to capture so well. I especially enjoyed the Joshua Tree, a place I’d love to get back to
I’m glad you’ve been to JT, Debbie. I’d also love to go back. I’m glad you liked that one. It’s one of my favorites too. Silhouettes are tricky, as I’ve discovered when creating this post. But I learned something in the process, which is always good!
Glad you joined us, Priscilla!
Lovely pictures Patti, loved the second one 🙂 !
Here is mine: https://f28iso100.wordpress.com/2019/08/15/the-sun-and-the-philosopher/
Thank you, Smruti! Glad you joined us. 😊
Great capture, iball!
I don’t take many photos with low light and silhouettes. But I found some from earlier this summer: https://chava61photography.photo.blog/2019/09/08/lens-artists-photo-challenge-62-silhouettes/
Great, Chava. Glad you are joining us.
great challenge and beautiful selection Patti. my favourite is Hollywood Beach scene.
could you maybe add Gooogle icon for leaving comments? it would speed up log in for us google account users.:-)
https://lessywannagohome.blogspot.com/2019/09/feeding-seagulls.html
Thank you so much, Klara. I don’t see a Google icon in my settings. I did enable email. But I will keep checking! Glad you joined us!
I love your collection!
Great atmosphere in this shot, Chris.
Love these, Patti! Fun challenge.
Thanks so much, Sandy!!
Sure!
Glad you joined us, Brenda!
Fabulous collection, Elizabeth!
Love these!
Thank you so much, Dawn.
Thank you for the very interesting challenge!
https://anthropologist.wordpress.com/2019/09/08/for-lens-artists-photo-challenge-62-silhouettes/
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad you stopped by and joined us!
I’m glad you’re joining us, Miriam.
Hooray, Aletta!
Such beautiful pictures and the descriptions . Really enjoyed reading this one.
I’m so glad Sheenam! I hope you join the challenge!
Glad you joined us, Sandy. 🙂
Lovely captures! Love the last two… Here’s mine from my recent trip – https://myheart2heart.blog/2019/09/09/silhoutte-romance/
Beautiful shots of Kerala. It’s on my travel list! Thanks too for your kind words about my shots.
Kerala is very green n scenic, especially Munnar. Thank you 😊
It looks beautiful.
Hi, Jez. Wonderful! I’ll look at your post next.
Patti, enjoyed your selections for the theme.
Thank you so much, Sally. I learned a lot from working on this post. 🙂
Gorgeous shots. I love silhouettes 🙂
Thank you, Photographias! I hope you have time to join us. (Hint, hint). :).
Done!
The castle is a great choice, Mei-Mei.
https://anjumwasimdar.wordpress.com/2019/09/09/lens-artists-challenge-62-silhouettes-for-p-a-mooed-darkness-in-light/
Lovely shots, Anjum.
Thank you Friend Pattimoed
Thanks so much for your kind words, MB, and for joining us.
Beautiful selections, Patti! Another cool challenge. WiFi is slow here, and our travel itinerary is tight…
I hope you’re having a fabulous time, Amy. Can’t wait to see your photos from your trip.
Oh but Patti I am shy but for you I will drop a line. Amazing captures. The first photo has character and roman flair, but the unshaven Joshua is my favourite
I like that, Abrie. “Unshaven.” They are indeed very wild and beautiful. Thanks for your kind words. :).
A lovely set, Woolly.
Hi Patti. Love this theme. Your beach silhouette with mother and child says so much with wonderful simplicity. Stunning with the dancing water in the background. Here’s mine. odaciuk.wordpress.com/2019/09/09/silhouettes/
Hi, Olga. I’m so glad that one resonated with you! I loved that moment at the beach. It brought back memories of being a young mother. I’ll take a look at your shots next! Thanks for your kind words!
Another interesting challenge. I had a few silhouettes so I’m joining in! https://horseaddict.net/2019/09/09/silhouettes/
I’m glad you are, Anne. I loved your horse silhouettes.
Just one more Patti
http://bushboy.blog/2019/09/10/more-bird-silhouettes/
It’s a “wow,” Brian!!
So love a Wow Patti 🙂
Beautiful silhouettes. The photo of the lady under the umbrella by the ocean is such a great shot, makes me want to head to the beach!
Hi, Carollyn. Many, many thanks! I wouldn’t mind heading to the beach, too!
Glad you posted this one, Cath.
This is a great theme. https://cathscamera.wordpress.com/2019/09/10/silhouette/
Another beauty, Chris.
Glad you joined us, Deb.
Here’s my contribution to the silhouettes:
https://davidmsphotoblog.com/2019/09/10/lens-artists-photo-challenge-silhouettes/
Wonderful images, David!
Thanks for joining us!
Glad you joined us, Su.
Love your choices here are mine https://dailymusing57.com/2019/09/10/lens-artists-photo-challenge-silhouettes/
Beautiful collection, Beth.
Glad you joined us, Arlene. 🙂
Terribly busy but I did catch some silhouettes recently.
https://mexcessive.photo.blog/2019/09/11/lens-artists-pc-silhouettes/
Another great addition, Chris!
Glad you joined us, Indira.
Superb shots. All but trees always stand out when you take silhouettes. My take- https://amaltaas.wordpress.com/2019/09/11/lens-artists-photo-challenge-62-silhouettes
Thank you so much, Indira. I appreciate that!
Welcome, dear.
Glad you joined us, VJ!
Great shots
https://zoehaynessmith.com/2019/09/11/silhouettes/
Thank you so much, Zoe! I’ll take a look at your shots next.
Loving that Joshua tree silhouette. https://travel-with-tech.blog/2019/09/11/monochrome-silhouette/
Thank you so much, TCast. Glad you joined us this week and posted that beautiful set of images.
My pleasure Patti. Regards, you can call me Teresa or Techie. Both is ok by me. Have a good day.
I like that…Techie!
Here is my entry for the week. 😀 😀
https://ceenphotography.com/2019/09/10/lens-artists-photo-challenge-62-silhouettes/
Great, Cee! I’ll look at it next.
Lovely silhouettes Patti – sunsets are good here for capturing the hills and trees against a flaming sky which is why your sunset shot is my favourite, plus I recall those freighters waiting in Vancouver myself! (Well, obviously not these exact ships!). I will have a look and see if my recent foray out into the dusk has produced anything worth posting.
Glad you joined us, Jude. Your shots are beautiful. Thanks too for your kind words about my shots.
Beautiful post, Jude.
Beautiful and instructive post, John!
Patti, I really like this challenge and you have such beautiful pictures to show. Especially like the lady on the beach with the stroller and the first one of the family walking. Here is my post this week: https://mycolorfulexpressions.com/lens-artists-photo-challenge-62-silhouettes/
Thank you, Sylvia. I’m delighted at the response to this challenge. So glad you like the lady with the baby. I was so taken by that scene on the beach. And the “Roman” family was a great moment too. Thank you. I’m glad you joined us!
Thanks for posting these techniques
You are very welcome Mantu. I’m glad they’re helpful.
I agree – every picture tells a story – and the silhouette theme enhances that potential. Your images are so full of life – I especially am intrigued by the one with the boats…which turn out to be oil tankers!
My contribution:
http://oneletterup.com/2019/09/12/silhouettes
Glad that shot “speaks” to you! I’m happy you joined us.
So am I!
These photos are so beautiful…
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much. Glad you like them.
very nice shots
Thank you so much, Keliankellbell! I appreciate that.
Thank you for the challenge. Your silhouettes are lovely! https://grammywrites.blog/
Splendid silhouettes, Patti! I especially like that first one of the family walking up the hill.
Hi, Sue. Thank you! I loved that moment in Rome, too. It’s wonderful to have these photographic memories of great travel moments. :).
Thanks for this challenge. It gave me an excuse to edit this photo, which I was looking forward to working with: https://wp.me/p2owKx-1f3
I do like your interpretations but the two in color were standouts for me, perhaps because I don’t often think of color when I think of the word silhouette.
Cheers, Amy
Hi, Amy. That’s a lovely shot. I’m glad we gave you the “excuse” to work on it! And thanks too for your thoughts on the silhouettes here. I love the feedback.
I was hoping you’d join us, MM.
Love the umbrella against the sun-dappled water.
https://lindylecoq.com/2019/09/13/lens-artists-photo-challenge-62-silhouettes/
Thank you so much, Lindy. :). I’m delighted you’re posting on this theme.
Beautiful shots, Chateaux.
https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/14685920/posts/1451
Great, Carollynn. Many thanks.
Interesting theme with great photos Patti.
Thank you so much, Rupali. I’ll check what you’re up to next. 🙂
You are kind. Thanks.