How can a photographer create a silhouette effect in a photograph?

Creating a silhouette effect in a photograph involves making the subject appear dark against a brighter background. This is primarily achieved by underexposing the subject that is in front of a strong light source, such as the sun, which allows the bright light to illuminate the background while leaving the subject in shadow.

When the exposure settings are adjusted to favor the light source, the camera captures the bright background correctly while the subject becomes significantly darker, resulting in a stark silhouette. This technique highlights the outline and shape of the subject rather than its surface details, contributing to a dramatic effect that can convey mood or emotion in the photograph.

Methods like adjusting the ISO, increasing exposure time, or changing the focal length do not inherently affect the silhouette effect in the same way. High ISO settings can introduce noise and graininess, longer exposure times can lead to motion blur if the subject is moving, and focal length adjustments affect composition but do not directly influence the exposure relationship needed for silhouettes.