Partial Silhouettes

There are occasions when you want the feel of the silhouette but you still want to give the viewer a hint of detail. This is where partial silhouettes shine. I’m a fan of this technique because it’s elegant and achieves a romantic result.

Start by finding the minimum exposure value where your subject begins to silhouette, and then either slow down your shutter speed or change your f/stop to add about one stop of light. This should allow just enough light to give a hint of detail in your subjects. Be aware that the added light on your subjects will require that you also pay attention to their facial expressions. The five elements listed earlier for composing a silhouette are still necessary for a partial silhouette; the only difference is the extra stop of added light.