Choosing the Right Light

Silhouettes rely on strong backlighting, so I usually shoot during sunrise or sunset when the sky is glowing. The contrast between a bright background and a darker subject creates the perfect setup.

Positioning the Subject

To make the outline clear, I place the subject directly in front of the light source — often the sun. I avoid cluttered backgrounds, since clean shapes make the silhouette stand out.

Camera Settings

I expose for the background rather than the subject. This keeps the sky bright and turns the subject into a dark, defined shape. A smaller aperture also helps capture more detail in the backdrop.

Playing with Shapes

Silhouette photos are all about form and posture. I pay attention to the subject’s outline — whether it’s a person, an object, or a landscape — and guide poses that tell a story through shape alone.

Adding Mood

The beauty of silhouettes is their simplicity. They leave room for imagination, letting the viewer fill in the details. I try to enhance that mood by choosing dramatic skies or thoughtful framing.