Thanks all for the suggestions. My thoughts were this (and they could be complete bo**ocks):

1. The silhouetted object needs to be identifiable from it's shape. (That has to be a given, surely)

2. The background needs to be interesting?

3. As it is all in b&w that makes 2) more difficult.

4. Then we get into how to take it: outdoors I could spot meter on the sky; indoors (as I don't have a light box) I could take the shot and ps the silhouette.

5. Finally, how do you find a subject that will be remotely interesting as a silhouette!

Do I sound like a basket case?

Anyway, this is why I love this thread, and why my wife is getting well pi**ed off with it! You should hear the complaints when I ask her opinion on the photos!

Good luck all, and no doubt someone will post a shot that will blow our socks off!

Guy Roberts:

Thanks all for the suggestions. My thoughts were this (and they could be complete bo**ocks):

1. The silhouetted object needs to be identifiable from it's shape. (That has to be a given, surely)

2. The background needs to be interesting?

3. As it is all in b&w that makes 2) more difficult.

4. Then we get into how to take it: outdoors I could spot meter on the sky; indoors (as I don't have a light box) I could take the shot and ps the silhouette.

5. Finally, how do you find a subject that will be remotely interesting as a silhouette!

Do I sound like a basket case?

Anyway, this is why I love this thread, and why my wife is getting well pi**ed off with it! You should hear the complaints when I ask her opinion on the photos!

Good luck all, and no doubt someone will post a shot that will blow our socks off!

Spot meter on the sun then recompose the shot and take.

Guy Roberts:

 

5. Finally, how do you find a subject that will be remotely interesting as a silhouette!

anything can be done, trees, buildings, animals, plants, bottles

allsorts

David Bracher:

You'll find the subject and the place to post your photo at the weekend here.

http://community.dcmag.co.uk/forums/thread/308548.aspx

Thanks David!!  Much appreciated!!!

Pat

filter99:

Guy Roberts:

 

5. Finally, how do you find a subject that will be remotely interesting as a silhouette!

anything can be done, trees, buildings, animals, plants, bottles

allsorts

 

Excellent, cheesy horror film special effects, love it..    and a great image to get the imagination going..

pssssst  pssst  ECHO...ECHO...ECHO...check this out guys...I really really don't want to share this, but hey...this is a good forum too...I just register   POTD should be chosen by people not by random computer

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-silhouettes/

DaLuds:

pssssst  pssst  ECHO...ECHO...ECHO...check this out guys...I really really don't want to share this, but hey...this is a good forum too...I just register   POTD should be chosen by people not by random computer

 

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-silhouettes/

Thanks, for the link DaLuds, it will help many who are unsure of the topic.

It's strange that this particular subject is attracting more posts discussing what might or might not be acceptable as subject matter when the whole variety of the competition is seeing all the different interpretations people put on the subject.

Or is it just that people are stuck for ideas? (like me!)

Gallery

Blog

DaLuds:

pssssst  pssst  ECHO...ECHO...ECHO...check this out guys...I really really don't want to share this, but hey...this is a good forum too...I just register   POTD should be chosen by people not by random computer

I don't think it's chosen at random, I think it's chosen based on an algorithm that takes into account the number of views, the number of star votes and the number of comments and when it was last POTD (at least according to this post by Jake http://community.dcmag.co.uk/forums/post/240663.aspx.)

So, in effect, it is the membership that decide, only they don't know that they're deciding as they go about commenting on the images, allocating star ratings and browse the galleries. Of course, any algorithm is likely to have downside, and it probably needs constant tweaking to keep it from displaying the same photos over and over again. Of course, if everyone knew what the algorithm was, then there'd be people that would try to trick it into winning - so it has to remain reasonably secret.

 

http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-silhouettes/

I was playing around yesterday with peacock feathers here's the result may try again today, what do you think?

froj:

I'm struggling to come up with something original this week, I think I'll just try and get the technique right first, just had a quick go and it's not as easy as I thought :s

froj

Using  a large bright window is the simplest way to shoot a silhouette, use the cameras meter reading from the window or bright light, set exposure using cameras exsposure lock, focus on the subject and fire away.

Hope this helps?

first bash - any tips?

apart from the clutter I mean

J

Glad to see your enjoying the challenge. Joni your shot has a good mood but is a little cluttered. I have an idea for mine but with a screaming hangover I'm finding the urge to move really hard. Good luck...I know this could be a first for some of you ...but I'm sure it won't be the last of this type of shot you'll take. I've never actually gone out to take a silhouette before so if I can drag myself up later I'll look forward to giving it a do. I look forward to seeing your shots.