Sunsets and Silhouettes – a blueprint, tutorial and favorites poll
One of my all time favorite things to photograph are sunsets and silhouettes. There is something almost magical about them.
Last year I wrote a 2 part tutorial on photographing and editing silhouettes. Part 1 Here * Part 2 Here.
I changed camera my settings quite a bit on the ones I took on vacation in Northern Michigan last week. And based on the sky and environment, the colors and look is quite different as well (though I love both shoots equally as much).
I decided to stop down rather than shoot wider open. These were all shot with my Canon 17-40L (which I am considering selling as I just purchased the 16-35L II. So on a side note, contact me if you are interested…)
My camera settings varied slightly from shot to shot – but they were approximately:
ISO 100-320, Aperture f16-f20, Speed 1/250-1/640
As for editing, it could not have been any simpler. The “Blueprint” for these was an s-curve that looked like this and then the Finger-paint Medium action from the MCP Quickie Collection. I decided against sharpening these. So these were so fast to edit.
Since I took the time to show you what I did and to tell you my settings, I am hoping you will vote for your 3 favorites from these 10. I need you to help me pick what I should print for my home.
Which are your favorite silhouettes? PICK 3
- #14 (82 Votes)
- #3 (81 Votes)
- #2 (74 Votes)
- #6 (61 Votes)
- #15 (55 Votes)
- #7 (51 Votes)
- #1 (37 Votes)
- #12 (27 Votes)
- #13 (26 Votes)
- #9 (18 Votes)
- #5 (12 Votes)
- #10 (11 Votes)
- #4 (10 Votes)
- #11 (8 Votes)
- #8 (7 Votes)
Total Voters: 222
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If I could have only voted for one, it would have been number 3. I loved several in the group but that one really stands out for me. Gorgeous!
Oh my goodness those are all breathtaking! How in the world are you gonna decide — just do all of them
beautiful Jodi! I especially like the ones of them holding hands!
Stunning Jodi! I’m wondering when you print them out do you print the frame with it? Or leave the frame off the print and buy a frame?
Kansas – yep – I just use that frame for web. I print without anything and frame or put on canvas.
These are gorgeous and you’re going to need help and so I’ll be as specific as I can. I looked up and down several times and kept coming back to 14. Here’s what I can say about why I think I’m drawn to that one. First, the posture of the girls is still young. The fact that they’re facing each other seems more intimate, like you’re looking in on a private moment rather than asking them to pose. You can still tell them apart from their silhouette but there’s symmetry. The sky and reflection are beautiful. There’s more, but I could not describe it. It’s just a feeling that I don’t get with the others. Hope that helps! You really can’t make a mistake here – they’re all fab.
#14 or #6
I’ve looked back & forth many times & keep coming back to #6.
I love the way the girls are looking OUT into the water. I was attracted to having more foreground included in #6 as opposed to #14. The contrast (lighting) between the foreground & sky are especially gorgeous! You cant make a mistake in choosing. They are all beautiful.
This is officially going to be in my bookmarks for a photography resource!
YAY
these are beautiful!!!
These are Beautiful!! I am in LOVE!
They’re all beautiful…i picked 3 and voted, #14 is definitely my very favorite out of the three i picked.
They are all so beautiful! It was hard to vote. Thanks for sharing all of them.
WOW – those are spectacular!
Love them all!!
I LOVE #14!!
[...] Sunset Silhouettes [...]
1,2, and 14 are my favorites!
How much were you wanting for you L lens?