Silhouette: in awe

In photography, Silhouette refers to as Contre-jour, French word for 'against daylight ~ it refers to the sight or image of a person, object or scene that is backlit, and appears dark against a lighter background. This effect usually hides details, causes a stronger contrast between light and dark, creates silhouettes and emphasizes lines and shapes. The sun, or other light source, is often seen as either a bright spot or as a strong glare behind the subject. Additionally, the word silhouette is an eponym of Etienne de Silhouette, a French finance minister who in 1759 enjoyed making cut paper portraits.

I have taken quite a few of Silhouette. Don't hesitate to photograph an image just because you're directly facing the sun and that your subject is pitch-black, you'll be surprised that you will produce one.

Photography brings an inspiring awe to me ~ just like the photographer above who wants to capture the Sunset in Mona Kea Hawaii and the surfer below in his Post Surf Awe.

"Watch me at the window from your place on the couch, watch me pretending that I am really looking out. You say 'come here, I can't see you in this light,' but I'm much safer beside the moon tonight. 'Cause when I am a silhouette/ I have no fear.” ~ Unknown

[click the image to enlarge, click the underlined title Silhouette to play the song Silhouette from the movie Dying Young].

Shadow Birds: casted by the sun

When the sun rises on the street of Calle 13 de Deciembre, Erendira Mexico

OR on the sandy beaches of La Jolla California

The Shadow Birds never fail to amuse me...their shadow casted by the morning sun.

"Birds sing after a storm; why shouldn't people feel as free to delight in whatever sunlight remains to them?" ~ Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy

[click on the images to enlarge]

Reflections: double the beauty

Everyday we see our own mirror reflection. Looking into the clear water, you see your own reflection. ~ So often, we lock an image in our mind of who we are, never upgrading it as we change in the world. We upgrade our technology (cellphone, computer, etc.), and yet, we forget to upgrade our inner view of ourselves.

Reflections exercise an enduring fascination for photographers ~ but they are harder to photograph than to resist. But once you find the perfect spot, the perfect timing (in the absence of the Wind) and the perfect exposure (Light), you will feel like you are in photographer's Heaven.

Water Reflections is my fascination now ~ probably the most common type of reflection photography, but that doesn't mean that it's all just a cliché. Any reflections on water are a mainstay - the symmetry provides for "double the beauty".

My Reflections Collection:

http://www.pbase.com/marichupereira/reflections&page=all

"When will my reflection show who I am inside?" ~ Mulan lyrics

[Click on the image to enlarge. Click on the link provided for my Reflections pictures. Click on the above title to play Reflections song from the movie Mulan]