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05/11/2008 11:07:12 AM · #1 |
How do I do this? I see so many pictures out there like this and i have absolutely no idea how it can be accomplished, can anyone help me figure this out. I like the way these pictures look and would love to learn it and take a few!
These are a few I really like, how can I do this?
     
Message edited by author 2008-05-11 11:14:37. |
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05/11/2008 11:20:29 AM · #2 |
I havn't tried it before myself, but I would imagine that exposing for the background and not your main subject is the way to go. If you're not using a manual exposure mode, matrix metering would probably be your best bet. :)
Edit to add:
I just had a look specifically for your camera, and you should be able to select ''Multi Pattern'' light metering (though its likely set as a defualt) to give you the best chance of exposing for the background.
Message edited by author 2008-05-11 11:23:21. |
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05/11/2008 06:17:01 PM · #3 |
Step One: Set to Manual Exposure
Step Two: Increase Shutter Speed until you get the desired result! |
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05/11/2008 06:28:07 PM · #4 |
We need another silhouettes challenge, those are fun. (not sure if we ever have had one, but I think so.)
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05/14/2008 01:38:44 PM · #5 |
| ok well here is the problem, I have learned to use cameras with automatic, I was never taught or have no idea how to use manual. I took photography classes in school but took the easy way out, taking all my pictures on automatic, now that i look back and think about it that was the worst idea. how do i set my camera to manual settings for silhouettes? |
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05/14/2008 01:56:33 PM · #6 |
I don't think your Sony has a manual mode. From what I could find on Sony's website, the closest thing you will be able to do is use P (Program) mode and turn the flash off with the menu setting. You might be able to change the ISO or shutter speed to get the desired effect. Or you might be able to set it to landscape or twilight mode. I know the flash should not go off on landscape mode, but I don't know about twilight. You will want to aim the camera at the sky (background) and press the shutter half way to lock in the exposure, then place your subject in front of the lens and finish taking the picture. I haven't tried silhouettes with a P&S before, so it might take some trial and error to find a process that gets your focus and exposure correct for them.
Best thing is try these methods with someone as your subject, making sure your flash won't fire, have them duck down while you expose for the background, then have them stand up in front of you right before you finish taking the shot.
Good luck.
-drew |
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05/14/2008 01:58:22 PM · #7 |
| Also you can take a picture of the background in Auto mode, review it and pull up the information (ISO, shutter speed, aperature, etc) then try to dial those in when set to Program mode and have someone in between you and the original background for a silhouette. |
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05/14/2008 02:10:17 PM · #8 |
Here is something you might try. stand far enough from your subject so that it will still be in focus even if the camera focuses at infinity. Point your camera into the background sun, push the shutter button 1/2 way so the camera exposes for the background. Then compose your picture with the subject where you would like it for the shot. This probably only takes a camera rotation or a step one way or the other. Then take the shot.
I expect, the shot will be over exposed and the color of sky will be less saturated than you would like, but Photoshop can reduce the brightness and increase the saturation. Bring down the brightness of the whole scene and that will darken the subject silhouette as well.
Those are hard shots to take with the most versitile camera. If you manage it with your Sony, you are a credit to photographers everywhere. :-)
Bill |
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05/14/2008 02:21:31 PM · #9 |
If you look at my profile I have some sillhouttes in there. That's actually my very favorite thing to shoot, I love them!
I don't think you're going to be able to do it with your camera, but when I do them I put the camera on auto, point the camera at the sky and let it figure the settings and then I put it back on manual, put those settings in and shoot my subject. That makes the sky come out properly exposed and the subject black. The tricky part for me at first was to find a good place to shoot them because you have to make sure that there is a lot of sky and not much else in the background. For the type that I take I needed to find a hill with nothing but sky behind it. After driving all over the place one day I discovered a veterans cemetary way high up on a hill and it's the perfect place to take those shots. All the sillhouttes in my portfolio were taken in the exact same spot. Everytime I want to do one I pack up the kids and take them to the cemetary, lol.
If you can get a camera that will let you set manual settings, definitely experiment with sillhouttes, they're really fun! |
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