September 7, 2019 • 265

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge #62: Silhouettes

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:

Capitoline Hill Silhouette, Rome, Italy

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.

Sunset Silhouette, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

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.

Joshua Tree Silhouette, Joshua Tree, CA

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.