Silhouettes

[Sergio M.]

Some fun with silhouettes.

Forlorn

Voigtlander 40 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000, ISO-800, +1EV

Texting

Voigtlander 40 mm, f/8.0, 1/800, ISO-800, +1EV

Sniffles

Voigtlander 40 mm, f/8.0, 1/400, ISO-800, +1EV

Sergio

[Mike Buckley]

Great concept and execution!

[Shadowman]

Nicely done.

[ucci]

Very nicely done. What are your thoughts on maybe losing a tad off the top in #2 and #3 to 'zoom in' a bit closer to the central subjects?

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Sergio,

Difficult to think of anything to say that doesn't re-use the words of Mike, Ken and John.

I've had the idea to try something similar for years; e.g. find a good background and passing subjects, then wait for the two to combine, but never done anything about it.

You have achieved this very well; nice simple foreground and background - further enhanced by use of monochrome, anonymity, not to mention great timing.

Well done, Dave


Actually, I now recall I have tried this once before, some 7 years ago, but I compromised mine with the sea (and a wall) in the background, plus a textured 'road' surface, complete with manhole cover. Which just goes to show how difficult it can be to get everything to come together as well as you have achieved.

UPDATE: please see shot #4 in this thread for one of my examples of lying in wait for passing opportunities; Shooting into the light IV (four)

It seems Sergio has inspired several members, including me, to dig out some silhouette examples.

[John 2]

Great idea for something different and nicely executed Sergio. I could see these or something similar as a Triptych.

[IzzieK]

How did you ever find a place to photograph such images!!! Beautiful set!

[Sergio M.]

Great concept and execution!

Thank you, Mike.

Sergio

[Sergio M.]

Nicely done.

Thank you, John.

Sergio

[Sergio M.]

Very nicely done. What are your thoughts on maybe losing a tad off the top in #2 and #3 to 'zoom in' a bit closer to the central subjects?

Ken,

I tried to leave a small amount of space at the top of all the images in an attempt to make them as uniform as possible. The people in the second and third image were farther from me than the first. With the wide angle (40 mm)they thus appear smaller in the frame. You can see this relationship by looking at the thin line in the foreground and their distance from it.

In any case, a worthy consideration and one I will look into when I get home.

Thank you for viewing and your critique.

Sergio

[Sergio M.]

Hi Sergio,

Difficult to think of anything to say that doesn't re-use the words of Mike, Ken and John.

I've had the idea to try something similar for years; e.g. find a good background and passing subjects, then wait for the two to combine, but never done anything about it.

You have achieved this very well; nice simple foreground and background - further enhanced by use of monochrome, anonymity, not to mention great timing.


Actually, I now recall I have tried this once before, some 7 years ago, but I compromised mine with the sea (and a wall) in the background, plus a textured 'road' surface, complete with manhole cover. Which just goes to show how difficult it can be to get everything to come together as well as you have achieved.

Well done, Dave

UPDATE: please see shot #4 in this thread for one of my examples of lying in wait for passing opportunities; Shooting in to the light IV (four)

It seems Sergio has inspired several members, including me, to dig out some silhouette examples.

Dave

My wife and I had passed this window while exploring one of the buildings, and I had commented how this would be a good place for some silhouettes; she agreed. Several hours later after having walked around quite a bit, having had something to eat, and I had a few pints of beer, we returned.

There was a seating area across from the glass. I had my elbows and forearms resting on my legs with the camera held straight out in fron of me. I took a test shot to make sure I had everything I wanted in the frame. I then just waited for the right people to show up, be in the right place, and released the shutter. I missed some that I wanted because I had the 5D on silent shutter mode, and I have yet to get used to the lag that introduces.

All in all a good exercise and some fun. I'm thinking I might try going back this coming weekend and have a go again.

I hope you too have a go at it again. I'm sure with your mastery of the craft, you could exceed anything I've done here.

Thank you for your detailed comment/critique and compliment. I'm humbled that you or anyone else would be inspired by one of my photos. I've always found a wealth of inspiration and knowledge here at CIC.

Sergio

[Sergio M.]

Great idea for something different and nicely executed Sergio. I could see these or something similar as a Triptych.

John

As a matter of fact I did try the triptych idea. After having resized all the images to the size of the smallest one I found that the framing of the glass at the top and bottom did not line up evenly between images. I don't know whether that matters but it's something I will continue to play with and investigate.

Thanks for your comment.

Sergio

[Sergio M.]

How did you ever find a place to photograph such images!!! Beautiful set!

Izzie,

The building is the new convention center which opened up a few months ago. We had been wanting to investigate and finally got the chance this past weekend. The building appears ripe with photographic opportunities and it's something I hope to explore in the future.

Thanks for your comment and time.

Sergio

[Mike Buckley]

the framing of the glass at the top and bottom did not line up evenly between images.

To solve that issue, set up a tripod, frame the image and let people walk into it. Use your fastest rate of continuous shooting and select the best images once you get home to your computer. But be ready to have a good explanation for the police when they ask why you're sitting there all day long taking photos of innocent bystanders. And if you're not positioned on public property, also be prepared to go to jail.

[Sergio M.]

To solve that issue, set up a tripod, frame the image and let people walk into it. Use your fastest rate of continuous shooting and select the best images once you get home to your computer. But be ready to have a good explanation for the police when they ask why you're sitting there all day long taking photos of innocent bystanders. And if you're not positioned on public property, also be prepared to go to jail.

I did think about the tripod and along with that thought came everything you mentioned.

Thanks for the laugh, Mike.

Sergio

[bnnrcn]

Great set

[IzzieK]

I want to ask too how big the building is, but then, big doesn't exist in Texas, but huge does. (Oh shut up, Izzie!!!)

Izzie,

The building is the new convention center which opened up a few months ago. We had been wanting to investigate and finally got the chance this past weekend. The building appears ripe with photographic opportunities and it's something I hope to explore in the future.

Thanks for your comment and time.

Sergio

[Sergio M.]

Great set

Thank you, Binnur.


Sergio

[Sergio M.]

I want to ask too how big the building is, but then, big doesn't exist in Texas, but huge does. (Oh shut up, Izzie!!!)

You'd be right, Izzie, it is humongous.

Sergio

[flashback]

Sergio, nice shots! I like how they were all caught within the middle frame of the background. I'm trying to decide if these shots would look better or not by darkening the silhouettes completely. Great idea you had, you should try and get back there again for a few more shots.