In this fifth installment of the Tuesday Photo Challenge, I’d like us to go into a somewhat different direction. This week’s challenge is to get creative in producing a silhouette.
A lot of photography courses start by teaching how to light the subject in your image, which is the opposite of what we want to do in creating a silhouette. A couple of things that help make a great silhouette image:
A well-balanced background that is not blown out, so that it provides interest
Adequate depth-of-field to ensure that all components work together
Sharpness and, of course, composition
Your challenge is to go out and experiment a bit. Note that you don’t need a fancy camera for this challenge, as you can see from the image. One quick tip: if you’re using a smartphone or automatic camera, you can use the amount of sun peeking around your subject to control the exposure level for the background.
Yoga Tree Sunrise
For those who’d like to participate in this weekly challenge, the rules are the following:
A Fresh Perspective
Photography is more than just a vehicle for capturing the world around me; it provides me with a palette and a set of brushes, with which I paint not only what I see, but also look to express the emotions that are evoked by the scene in front of me in that moment.
Growing up in the Netherlands exposed me to a wide cross-section of visual arts that laid the foundation of my photographic view of all that surrounds me. Early influences were the Dutch Masters of the 17th century, to whom I was introduced by my grandfather during museum explorations; favorites among them are the scenes of quotidian life depicted by Jan Steen and Frans Hals and the vivid landscapes of Jacob van Ruisdael.
My classical high school education was supplemented by the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum, where I spent many a lunch hour exploring its great collection. Here I was introduced to surrealism with a particular love for the approach taken by Salvador Dali; Dali also rekindled my appreciation for the work of Hieronymus Bosch, who often showed the folly of us mortals.
Universal Connections
My approach to any photographic subject is to look for understanding first; in this I look to establish either a connection between the viewer and the subject or capture the connection of the subject with its surroundings. The captured image then aims to portray this connection from a perspective that is part of my personal interpretation.
This interpretation is often a form of externalized introspection, which may alternately display the connection of isolated beings and items with their environment or highlight the whimsy of the profound world, in which we find ourselves. The universe is full of connections, many of which are waiting to be discovered; part of my journey as a photographer is to document these connections.
Any assignment, be it an event, a product shoot or a portrait session is always approached through communication with the client; this is where the first connection is established. Ideas are exchanged and a collaborative plan of action forms, ultimately resulting in a set of images that aim to exceed the expectations of each client.
And, lest we forget, it is important to have fun while practicing the serious business of photography!
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34 thoughts on “Tuesday Photo Challenge – Silhouette”
Wow, that is such a stunning shot of your Yoga Tree. What an awesome theme for this week, shame I’ve already used my “tree” shot from my last post! 🙂 Have a great week Frank.
OK got it Frank! I’m not sure about my ability to do this, and I’ll do my best – and have some fun with it. And I believe in myself (good opportunity to practice that). Many blessings to you and your Yoga Tree. Love that tree ❤
Thanks! I was glad to find that photo among the 1200 we just took in Cuba.I love silhouettes, so I can’t wait to see the other entries in this challenge.
Cuba is definitely on my list of places to visit as well. You captured some great images there!
Gorgeous! I like how the tree looks like a person stretching back. 🙂
The way you captured the clouds is really stunning, too. I’ve tried to figure out how to angle my camera to get the sky that way, but haven’t had such luck, yet.
Thank you very much! Clouds are an important part of the landscape. The one thing that I have learned about photographing clouds is the importance of making sure that their lines work with the rest of the image.
I don’t really do prompts or challenges on Instagram, but do post all my iPhone work there (@fphjansen)
Thank you for reading my blog! There will be more on clouds…
Wow, that is such a stunning shot of your Yoga Tree. What an awesome theme for this week, shame I’ve already used my “tree” shot from my last post! 🙂 Have a great week Frank.
Thank you, Miriam! I am confident you will find something interesting and creative for this challenge.
Thanks Frank. Me too. Excited for the week ahead.
Beautiful or schitterend, as they say in the old country :o)
Hartelijk bedankt! 🙂
I fall in love every time I see this tree 💚💚💚
She’s a special lady!
Beautiful!
Thank you very much!
OK got it Frank! I’m not sure about my ability to do this, and I’ll do my best – and have some fun with it. And I believe in myself (good opportunity to practice that). Many blessings to you and your Yoga Tree. Love that tree ❤
A little experimentation goes a long way! Don’t worry about the images that you don’t like, as nobody will see them 🙂
Ha ha that is very funny. Thanks, Frank 🙂
I can’t wait to take part in this one. Great shot of yoga tree.
Thank you! Looking forward to your creative efforts!
That tree….sigh…. Shared this in my Posts of Note today. 🙂
Thank you kindly!!
Great image! Thank you for participating,
Frank
Thanks! I was glad to find that photo among the 1200 we just took in Cuba.I love silhouettes, so I can’t wait to see the other entries in this challenge.
Cuba is definitely on my list of places to visit as well. You captured some great images there!
I did it Frank!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Congrats! I will check it out tonight, when I get to my hotel in Tel Aviv.
Tel Aviv – wonderful!! Where are you going in Israel? I’ve been to Jerusalem, Dead Sea, and surrounding area. Fascinating history and spirituality.
Just Tel Aviv, as it is work. I will have tomorrow to get some photography done
Gorgeous! I like how the tree looks like a person stretching back. 🙂
The way you captured the clouds is really stunning, too. I’ve tried to figure out how to angle my camera to get the sky that way, but haven’t had such luck, yet.
Do you do photo prompts/challenges on Instagram?
Thank you very much! Clouds are an important part of the landscape. The one thing that I have learned about photographing clouds is the importance of making sure that their lines work with the rest of the image.
I don’t really do prompts or challenges on Instagram, but do post all my iPhone work there (@fphjansen)
Thank you for reading my blog! There will be more on clouds…
Ooh, maybe I’ve had trouble with clouds because of the lines. I’ll stay tuned for a post on the clouds in the future. 🙂
I’ll find you on Instagram!
Thank you! Feel free to ask questions any time and I will do my best to answer them.
Thanks! 🙂