Sunsets | Silhouettes:
A surfer walking on the beach with the orange setting sun in the background demonstrates a silhouette. Palm trees with the similar sunset background is a photo that straddles the definition of a silhouette.
While California beaches are sorely lacking of the beautiful trees you'll see on the other U.S. coast which has more prominent seasons, we do have our glorious palm trees which offer both opportunities and challenges when it comes to picture taking.
Shapes, both vertical and horizontal
The surfboard is typically a horizontal shape. When the surfer rides it or caries the board its almost always going to run parallel with the ground, water and horizon if any of these elements are apparent. Meanwhile, the palm trees is extreme and vertical. Fitting it into horizontal formats is no easy task. Sure, we can shrink the image to fit. So much information is typically lost by doing so. However, you can compensate by utilizing your stronger photos that still offer impact in smaller sizes. It's an every day problem for those working in web or print design. We get by.
Mix and match
- A row of palm trees may work in a horizontal format photo. However, if you have just one or two palms and previously shot your picture as a vertical image, the palm will just look blah unless you focus on something to bring it to life. You can use lighting, context and size relationships, or simply use the palm and its fronz like props supporting an overall situation and mood.
Practice
Thank you for visiting CaliforniaBeachPhotos.com! Just remember to practice, practice. Return to photograph a pier sunset again. Each sunset is different so there's no room for boredom.
