Seeking tips on silhouettes

Hi, I have placed a picture he

http://photoviki.com/displayimage.ph...at=10196&pos=1

or if that doesn't work, he

http://photoviki.com/displayimage.ph...263&fullsize=1

Notice how the lines of the shadows are not crisp and the dark is not
smooth. Are there rules of thumb or other techniques for taking nice
silhouettes. I have tried everything from nearby candles to distant
light source squeezed through a hole. One trick seems to be, the more
parallel the rays the better. But that is not enough.

Thanks,
Ron

Btw, if this looks odd it is because the camera is taking a picture of
its own silhouette.

wrote:

Notice how the lines of the shadows are not crisp and the dark is not
smooth.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penumbra

Btw, if this looks odd it is because the camera is taking a picture of
its own silhouette.

You mean "shadow". A "silhouette" is the object itself against a very
bright background.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silhouette

My promiscuity surfaces yet again. I will try to be more careful.
Notice the picture of the microscope next to the camera. It is an
actual silhouette. The request for tips still stands though. Thanks
for the claification.

My promiscuity surfaces yet again. I will try to be more careful.
Notice the picture of the microscope next to the camera. It is an
actual silhouette. The request for tips still stands though. Thanks
for the claification.

For sharp shadows, I think you need a small light source, not a big wide
studio flash with reflectors.

wrote:

wrote:


Notice how the lines of the shadows are not crisp and the dark is not
smooth.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penumbra


Btw, if this looks odd it is because the camera is taking a picture of
its own silhouette.


You mean "shadow". A "silhouette" is the object itself against a very
bright background.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silhouette

Paul Furman wrote:

Don't top-post.

For sharp shadows, I think you need a small light source, not a big wide
studio flash with reflectors.

This is indeed the message of:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penumbra

But the OP didn't understand or even read it. "You can lead a horse to
water, but you can't make him drink..."

wrote in message
oups.com...
My promiscuity surfaces yet again. I will try to be more careful.
Notice the picture of the microscope next to the camera. It is an
actual silhouette. The request for tips still stands though. Thanks
for the claification.

Here's how to do a silhouette:
http://www.garryblack.com/ag02.htm

The key is to aim the light at the background (not the subject). Also there
should be several stops less light falling on the subject than the
background. Use a hand held meter or a gray card for your measurements.

What is top posting and why did you say I didn't read your links?

Thanks,
Ron

wrote:
Paul Furman wrote:

For sharp shadows, I think you need a small light source, not a big wide
studio flash with reflectors.


This is indeed the message of:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penumbra

Ah, I didn't notice that either. Here's a better diagram:
http://www.photonics.com/dictionary/lookup/XQ/ASP/url.lookup/entrynum.3823/letter.p/pu./QX/lookup.htm

Thinking more about the silhouettes... there is a difference between
backlit with a bright source hidden behind the object and an evenly
illuminated backdrop. The backlit situation gives more of a bright ring
at the edge like an over-sharpened image. Perhaps the shadow looks less
'real' lacking that. Interesting question.

top posting

wrote:

What is top posting and why did you say I didn't read your links?