Silhouette USA - Photography Terms & Glossary

Glossary Of Photography Terms [1]

Silhouette A silhouette is a photographic technique where the subject appears as a dark shape or outline against a brighter background, typically due to backlighting or strong contrast between the subject and the background. Silhouettes are characterized by their high contrast and dramatic effect, often emphasizing the shape, form, and contours of the subject while obscuring finer details and features.

Silhouettes can be created intentionally by positioning the subject in front of a bright light source, such as the sun or artificial lighting, and exposing for the background rather than the subject. This causes the subject to appear as a dark silhouette against the brighter background, creating a striking and visually compelling image.

Silhouettes are commonly used in various genres of photography, including landscape, portrait, wildlife, and street photography, to evoke mood, convey emotion, or emphasize the graphic elements of the scene. They offer photographers a creative way to explore light, shadow, and negative space, resulting in images that are both visually captivating and emotionally engaging.