Silhouette

A silhouette is a photographic technique that renders the subject as a solid dark shape against a lighter background, emphasizing form and outline rather than detail. Typically created by placing the subject against a bright background (often the sky at sunset or sunrise) and exposing for the background, silhouettes reduce subjects to their most recognizable form, creating dramatic, graphic images with strong visual impact. The technique strips away distracting details and colors, focusing instead on shape, form, and gesture. For successful silhouettes, subjects with distinctive outlines work best—people in profile, trees with interesting shapes, or architectural elements with clean lines. The high contrast between the dark subject and bright background creates a bold, often emotional aesthetic that can convey mystery, romance, or drama.