How to photograph a silhouette at the window

Photo © Ian McDonnell/iStockphoto.com

For our first example, look at the photo at right of the young lady sipping a cup of coffee. There’s a bit of light on her face—just enough so you can see her eye and some details on her fingers and blouse. This is a profiled silhouette, and it is shot at a slight angle to the window rather than straight on. The face picks up light reflected off the surface of the cup and her hand. The photographer exposed for the details on her blouse, which means the background is blown out.

This is a case you can use the typical digital camera's limited dynamic range to your advantage. The sunlit outside beyond the window overexposed and appears as pure white. Film might have picked up some distracting details.

Photo © Anna Omeltchenko/ iStockphoto.com

The second example is a pure silhouette: the girl is in complete shadow. The photographer exposed for the scene outside the window. Note how the windowshade adds a bold shape to the composition. By the way...is the subject facing out the window or towards the camera?

Now, go find a window, turn off your flash, and shoot a silhouette yourself!