Silhouette Photos

K

kluisi

Senior Member
This morning, I set up a white bedsheet in front of a window facing the sun as a makeshift backdrop to try to take some silhouette photos of my kids. They are the three pictures currently in my gallery (Link). The idea was that I would give them to my wife for Valentine's day since she had talked about getting Silhouettes done.

First, what do you think of the images? Any tips for next time?

Second, what do you think is the best way to get them printed? Framed prints or Canvas? Singles or multi picture print? Probably won't do anything bigger than an 8x10 for each picture (24x10 to put all 3 pictures in one frame/on one canvas).

Finally, I have a shutterfly account already, and the 8x10 prints are very cheap there ($3.99), but an 8x10 canvas is about $50 each. A 24x10 canvas (for three 8x10s) is $71.99. Does anyone print canvas prints cheaper than that? I do not have accounts for any other processing lab (professional or otherwise). Are there any I should have that won't break the bank?

M Silhouette:
mph_7276.jpg
File Info 1
File: MPH_7276.NEF
Date Created: 1/24/2014 10:09:08 AM
Date Modified: 1/24/2014 9:58:01 AM
File Size: 19.8 MB
Image Size: L (4928 x 3264)
File Info 2
Date Shot: 1/24/2014 10:30:08.70
Time Zone and Date: UTC-5, DST:ON
Image Quality: Lossless Compressed RAW (14-bit)


Camera Info
Device: Nikon D7000
Lens: 50mm f/1.8G
Focal Length: 50mm
Focus Mode: Manual
AF-Area Mode: Single
VR:
AF Fine Tune: OFF
Exposure
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1/200s
Exposure Mode: Manual
Exposure Comp.: 0EV
Exposure Tuning:
Metering: Matrix
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100
Flash
Device:
Image Settings
White Balance: Auto1, 0, 0
Color Space: sRGB
High ISO NR: OFF
Long Exposure NR: OFF
Active D-Lighting: OFF
Image Authentication:
Vignette Control:
Auto Distortion Control: OFF
Picture Control
Picture Control: [VI] VIVID
Base: [VI] VIVID
Quick Adjust: 0
Sharpening: 4
Contrast: 0
Brightness: 0
Saturation: 0
Hue: 0
Filter Effects:
Toning:
Location Info
Latitude:
Longitude:
Altitude:
Altitude Reference:
Heading:
UTC:
Map Datum:


P Silhouette:
mph_7277.jpg
File Info 1
File: MPH_7277.NEF
Date Created: 1/24/2014 10:09:08 AM
Date Modified: 1/24/2014 9:57:36 AM
File Size: 20.5 MB
Image Size: L (4928 x 3264)
File Info 2
Date Shot: 1/24/2014 10:33:31.40
Time Zone and Date: UTC-5, DST:ON
Image Quality: Lossless Compressed RAW (14-bit)
Camera Info
Device: Nikon D7000
Lens: 50mm f/1.8G
Focal Length: 50mm
Focus Mode: Manual
AF-Area Mode: Single
VR:
AF Fine Tune: OFF
Exposure
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1/200s
Exposure Mode: Manual
Exposure Comp.: 0EV
Exposure Tuning:
Metering: Matrix
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100
Flash
Device:
Image Settings
White Balance: Auto1, 0, 0
Color Space: sRGB
High ISO NR: OFF
Long Exposure NR: OFF
Active D-Lighting: OFF
Image Authentication:
Vignette Control:
Auto Distortion Control: OFF
Picture Control
Picture Control: [VI] VIVID
Base: [VI] VIVID
Quick Adjust: 0
Sharpening: 4
Contrast: 0
Brightness: 0
Saturation: 0
Hue: 0
Filter Effects:
Toning:
Location Info
Latitude:
Longitude:
Altitude:
Altitude Reference:
Heading:
UTC:
Map Datum:


H Silhouette:
mph_7281.jpg
File Info 1
File: MPH_7281.NEF
Date Created: 1/24/2014 10:09:08 AM
Date Modified: 1/24/2014 11:31:12 AM
File Size: 20.8 MB
Image Size: L (4928 x 3264)
File Info 2
Date Shot: 1/24/2014 10:40:31.20
Time Zone and Date: UTC-5, DST:ON
Image Quality: Lossless Compressed RAW (14-bit)
Camera Info
Device: Nikon D7000
Lens: 50mm f/1.8G
Focal Length: 50mm
Focus Mode: Manual
AF-Area Mode: Single
VR:
AF Fine Tune: OFF
Exposure
Aperture: f/11
Shutter Speed: 1/200s
Exposure Mode: Manual
Exposure Comp.: 0EV
Exposure Tuning:
Metering: Matrix
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100
Flash
Device:
Image Settings
White Balance: Auto1, 0, 0
Color Space: sRGB
High ISO NR: OFF
Long Exposure NR: OFF
Active D-Lighting: OFF
Image Authentication:
Vignette Control:
Auto Distortion Control: OFF
Picture Control
Picture Control: [VI] VIVID
Base: [VI] VIVID
Quick Adjust: 0
Sharpening: 4
Contrast: 0
Brightness: 0
Saturation: 0
Hue: 0
Filter Effects:
Toning:
Location Info
Latitude:
Longitude:
Altitude:
Altitude Reference:
Heading:
UTC:
Map Datum:


 
D

Dave_W

The Dude
I like the idea a lot. But you need to remove the window frame lines otherwise they become distractive. You can either reposition them somewhere else or photoshop away the frames. I would also consider moving the subject more in the middle rather than the so-called rule of thirds and give them the same "look" as the early 19th century portraits had.
 
K

kluisi

Senior Member
Dave_W said:
I like the idea a lot. But you need to remove the window frame lines otherwise they become distractive. You can either reposition them somewhere else or photoshop away the frames. I would also consider moving the subject more in the middle rather than the so-called rule of thirds and give them the same "look" as the early 19th century portraits had.
Click to expand...

Yeah...They the window frame lines were actually much worse as the light outside that window was pretty harsh when I took these. I probably could have gotten better results on a cloudy day or earlier in the morning. I was able to use photoshop to minimize them to the point that I thought they looked OK, but I thought it might end up looking worse if I tried to edit them out fully. Then I thought that they actually added a bit to it rather than it just being a plain black outline against a plain white background.


Lawrence said:
Cool idea. Although silhouettes I would like to see a bit more detail and slightly more open look.
Click to expand...

I was going for more of a full silhouette than a partial, but I did like the little touch of light that highlights the smile lines/cheeks of the girls (not that I was trying for it or have any idea how I did it :) ) and wouldn't mind a bit more detail in that way. What do you mean by more open? Maybe moving outside maybe at the crest of a hill rather than against the backdrop?

Anyone have any thoughts on the mounting options? Prints or canvas? If prints, glossy or matte? If prints, how would you frame/mat the shot?
 
L

Lawrence

Senior Member
kluisi said:
I was going for more of a full silhouette than a partial, but I did like the little touch of light that highlights the smile lines/cheeks of the girls (not that I was trying for it or have any idea how I did it :) ) and wouldn't mind a bit more detail in that way. What do you mean by more open? Maybe moving outside maybe at the crest of a hill rather than against the backdrop?
Click to expand...

By more open I mean the subject facing the camera just a tad more so those little cheek lines and a nose line would give a wee bit of definition to distinguish between the kids - all of whom clearly are from the same parents going by the silhouettes alone. This would make them more individual.

Just my $0.02
 
K

kluisi

Senior Member
Lawrence said:
By more open I mean the subject facing the camera just a tad more so those little cheek lines and a nose line would give a wee bit of definition to distinguish between the kids - all of whom clearly are from the same parents going by the silhouettes alone. This would make them more individual.

Just my $0.02
Click to expand...

Ahhh...OK I understand now. I will try that next time. Actually the first two are 5 year old identical twins and the other one is their 2 year old sister (and all are from the same parents....LOL).
 
Eduard

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Dave_W said:
I like the idea a lot. But you need to remove the window frame lines otherwise they become distractive. You can either reposition them somewhere else or photoshop away the frames. I would also consider moving the subject more in the middle rather than the so-called rule of thirds and give them the same "look" as the early 19th century portraits had.
Click to expand...

I would argue that you keep the window frame lines in as it provides contrast and context. Love it!!
 
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