(Translated from the original post on July 18, 2023)

This is ARA.

Summer is in full swing in the Tokyo area, and the days are scorching hot.

Snapshots taken under the strong sunlight in summer tend to have large gaps between light and dark (=high contrast), and in these situations it is good to shoot the silhouette of the subject.

I have discussed silhouette photography in this article in the past.
This technique uses a bright background to make figures look like shadow puppets.

In my case, I use exposure compensation when necessary, but it may be easier to select [Highlight-weighted] in [AE Metering]. In addition, I often select Vivid or Positive Film in Image Control with [Contrast (Shadow)] set to negative and [Clarity] set to positive when developing RAW during playback.

This makes the details of the subject darker and the outline of the silhouette clearer.

The mechanism of silhouette photography is so simple that it is important to pay attention to framing. Choosing a background with a geometric pattern or using bright colors as accents will give you more options for expression.

All of the photographs in this issue were taken by returning to the same locations several times and waiting for the right moment.
You really have to love it to do that.

The coming season may be too hot for street photography enthusiasts.
So, fellow photographers, don't forget to take frequent breaks and drink plenty of water between outdoor shots!


(ARA)