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Photo Forum / Digital Photography / DSLR Cameras / February 2006Seeking tips on silhouettes
Hi, I have placed a picture here: http://photoviki.com/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=10196&pos=1 or if that doesn't work, here: http://photoviki.com/displayimage.php?pid=17263&fullsize=1 Notice how the lines of the shadows are not crisp and the dark is not smooth. Are there rules of thumb or other techniques for taking nice silhouettes. I have tried everything from nearby candles to distant light source squeezed through a hole. One trick seems to be, the more parallel the rays the better. But that is not enough. Thanks, Ron Btw, if this looks odd it is because the camera is taking a picture of its own silhouette. > Notice how the lines of the shadows are not crisp and the dark is not > smooth. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penumbra > Btw, if this looks odd it is because the camera is taking a picture of > its own silhouette. You mean "shadow". A "silhouette" is the object itself against a very bright background. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silhouette My promiscuity surfaces yet again. I will try to be more careful. Notice the picture of the microscope next to the camera. It is an actual silhouette. The request for tips still stands though. Thanks for the claification. > My promiscuity surfaces yet again. I will try to be more careful. > Notice the picture of the microscope next to the camera. It is an > actual silhouette. The request for tips still stands though. Thanks > for the claification. Here's how to do a silhouette: http://www.garryblack.com/ag02.htm The key is to aim the light at the background (not the subject). Also there should be several stops less light falling on the subject than the background. Use a hand held meter or a gray card for your measurements. My promiscuity surfaces yet again. I will try to be more careful. Notice the picture of the microscope next to the camera. It is an actual silhouette. The request for tips still stands though. Thanks for the claification. For sharp shadows, I think you need a small light source, not a big wide studio flash with reflectors. >>Notice how the lines of the shadows are not crisp and the dark is not >>smooth. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silhouette Don't top-post. > For sharp shadows, I think you need a small light source, not a big wide > studio flash with reflectors. This is indeed the message of: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penumbra But the OP didn't understand or even read it. "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink..." What is top posting and why did you say I didn't read your links? Thanks, Ron > What is top posting and why did you say I didn't read your links? bottom posting posting without reference >>For sharp shadows, I think you need a small light source, not a big wide >>studio flash with reflectors. > > This is indeed the message of: > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penumbra Ah, I didn't notice that either. Here's a better diagram: <http://www.photonics.com/dictionary/lookup/XQ/ASP/url.lookup/entrynum.3823/lette r.p/pu./QX/lookup.htm> Thinking more about the silhouettes... there is a difference between backlit with a bright source hidden behind the object and an evenly illuminated backdrop. The backlit situation gives more of a bright ring at the edge like an over-sharpened image. Perhaps the shadow looks less 'real' lacking that. Interesting question. |
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