Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

For creating a silhouette, which part of the background should you measure?

1. darkest

2. brightest

3. middle

4. most colorful

The correct answer is: brightest

To create a silhouette in photography, you should measure the brightest part of the background. This is because a silhouette occurs when the subject is backlit, resulting in the subject appearing dark against a lighter background. When you measure for the brightest area, you ensure that the exposure settings on your camera will allow the subject to render as a dark shape, with no detail, while the background remains well-exposed and bright. This contrast is essential for achieving the striking visual effect associated with silhouettes, as it emphasizes the outline of the subject. Measuring the brightest part of the background helps to achieve a proper exposure level that makes the subject stand out effectively, which is the primary goal in creating a silhouette.