Silhouette = Shadow? - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Aspherical IF for Canon

06/14/2002 08:17:07 PM · #5

I thought a silhouette was just a lack of light, or the unlit side of an object. I think you could have a silhouette and a shadow with the same object, so how can they be the same?

Reuben

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

06/14/2002 09:08:31 PM · #6

Originally posted by pnicholls:
I thought a silhouette was just a lack of light

What's a shadow?

Ricky Cleave

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/14/2002 09:15:25 PM · #7

My thought on the topic is that a picture of a silhouette is still a shadow, but voters might think otherwise. So if its a good shot submit and see how people react.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

06/14/2002 09:22:54 PM · #8

That black part of your picture is the shadow of the object falling directly onto your lens.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

06/14/2002 09:29:30 PM · #9

I think my question has been answered :) I will not play with silhouettes.. lol

David Ey

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

06/14/2002 09:39:06 PM · #10

have you ever called a silhouette a shadow? a shadow a silhouette? I doubt it.

pnicholls

Sigma 24-135mm f/2.8-4.5 Aspherical IF for Canon

06/14/2002 09:40:23 PM · #11

works for me :-) My simple mind still thinks that a shadow has separation from the object, whereas a silhouette is not separated from the object. I do agree that a silhouette is created by a shadow, but could still be a different subject for another challenge.

lisae

Olympus C-720UZ

06/14/2002 10:01:29 PM · #12

Well, I suggested a shadows and silhouettes challenge in the forums a few weeks ago (I think someone else just suggested shadows). It makes sense to me that both should be combined, partly to provide some variety to the photos, but also because both things involve an absence of light, and just the outline of an object. However, the way the challenge has been worded I agree that silhouettes would probably not be tolerated by a lot of voters. I expect to see a few though.

Zeissman

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/14/2002 10:43:29 PM · #13

How about this, a silhouette is caused by being in an objects shadow. I would would hope we would have a broad definition of these subjects. A silhouette would definitely be composed of light and shadow. I have never heard of anyone talking about the silhouette
detail of an image, areas of low light are always considered shadow.

06/14/2002 11:23:55 PM · #14

All I can guarantee is that there will be people getting comments about silouhettes not being shadows when they submit them...leading to more rants..WooHooo!!!!

Some people have a very limited view of what a shadow is. I imagine a shadow thrown by the sun like trees and people and wall shadows are the most common and esily grasped. Then there is greater and greater variations.

I won't go into any more variations because I might have one or two myself..heheh..... And I ma prepared for the comments... Yay!!!..controversy

06/14/2002 11:29:18 PM · #15

double post ...

* This message has been edited by the author on 6/14/2002 11:29:21 PM.

irae

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 I

06/14/2002 11:43:11 PM · #16

How about that cool shadow you get from your built-in flash?

06/14/2002 11:44:16 PM · #17

Originally posted by irae:
How about that cool shadow you get from your built-in flash?

Quit stealing my ideas!

sheyingshi88

06/15/2002 12:52:57 AM · #18

Originally posted by hokie:
double post ..

You mean shadow post or silhouette post?

Gotcha

06/15/2002 01:24:52 AM · #19

I am having the same concern. If it�s a silhouette, then it is not a shadow. But what if it is a reflection of a silhouette, then, the image is actually casting a reflection of a shadow, but not a shadow��.This challenge is more difficult than it appears. Unless you simply stage a bunch of shadows. I prefer to shoot in a natural setting, without staging a picture with the aid of props.

indigo997

Nikon D70

06/15/2002 02:16:10 AM · #20

I'd rather find a shot outdoors, but the weather hasn't cooperated. Overcast days with very little direct sunlight, and I'm running out of time.

The dictionary says:
Sil`hou*ette", n. [F.; -- so called from Etienne de Silhoutte, a French minister of finance in 1759, whise diversion it was to make such portraits on the walls of his apartments.] A representation of the outlines of an object filled in with a black color; a profile portrait in black, such as a shadow appears to be.

n 1: an outline of a solid object (as cast by its shadow) 2: a drawing of the outline of an object; filled in with some uniform color v: project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette

If you take a picture of an object that is backlit so that you only see the outline then it's a silhouette. If you take a picture of a frontlit object's projection on a screen then it's both a shadow and a silhouette. How confusing.

06/15/2002 09:45:09 AM · #21

Me, personally.... silouhette, reflection of a silouhette, shadows in natural or artificial light....I don't care as long as they are good.

But...this is a very conservative competition site and if you care about getting a high AVERAGE score you need to be very clear about what your shadow is about and make sure the photo is done cleanly.

Me, I like set up shots because I like messing with studio tricks, mirror tricks..magic funny stuff to get an effect. Still lifes are fun that way.

Some folks like nudes, some folks like landscapes, some folks like nature macro shots etc......I think we need a variety and I hope we get it :-)

Gotcha

06/15/2002 10:28:50 AM · #22

I previously made the comment �I prefer to shoot in a natural setting, without staging a picture with the aid of props� I did not mean to imply that I don�t enjoy looking at them. I find many of them quite creative. Thanks to the DPChallenge, I may give it a try on occasion.

sheyingshi88

06/15/2002 01:25:30 PM · #23

Originally posted by indigo997:

The dictionary says:[i]
Sil`hou*ette", n. [F.; -- so called from Etienne de Silhoutte, a French minister of finance in 1759, whise diversion it was to make such portraits on the walls of his apartments.] A representation of the outlines of an object filled in with a black color; a profile portrait in black, such as a shadow appears to be.

n 1: an outline of a solid object (as cast by its shadow) 2: a drawing of the outline of an object; filled in with some uniform color v: project on a background, such as a screen, like a silhouette (emphasis added)

This thread is starting to sound like a bunch of medieval philosophers debating angels on pinheads:) In my mind a silhouette is the projection of a shadow, its effect on a surface. If you accept this, then the most common interpretation would be to photograph the shadow's effect, or the silhouette of an object. Will it be misunderstood? Well, probably, especially if the composition is in any way creative, but that's no excuse not to post something you think is good. Like the old Nike tagline said.......

Dogman

Fujifilm FinePix 2200

06/15/2002 03:18:05 PM · #24

Personally I think a silhouette is just a "shadow" cast onto a semi transparent object. Note "Shadow". If I'm wrong then I'm screwed this week ;P

magnetic9999