What Is a Silhouette Image Called?

A Silhouette image is a two-dimensional representation of an object, person, or scene. It is typically rendered in black and white, but can sometimes be seen in color.

The main feature of a Silhouette image is that the subject is represented only by its outline, without any detail or shading. This type of image has become increasingly popular in recent years with the rise of digital photography and photo editing software.

Silhouette images are often used to create dramatic effects in photographs and artwork. They can be used to focus on an important detail, such as a face, or to create a sense of mystery by concealing some details while still revealing enough to tell a story. They can also be used for symbolic purposes, such as evoking feelings of loneliness or desolation.

The term “silhouette” comes from French artist Etienne de Silhouette, who was known for creating profile portraits cut from paper and mounted on cardstock. In the 19th century, Silhouette portraits were popularized by artist Auguste Edouart who made Silhouettes of famous people and royalty. Today, Silhouette images are created with digital technology.

Creating Silhouette Images

Creating a Silhouette image requires skill and knowledge of photo editing techniques. It can be done manually using software such as Adobe Photoshop or by using specialized third-party tools such as Vector Magic or SilhouetteFX.

Manual Method:

This method involves selecting the object you want to turn into a Silhouette and then erasing all the details except for its outline. You can then use tools like the lasso tool to refine the edges if necessary.

Third-Party Tools:

These tools are designed specifically for creating Silhouettes and are much easier to use than manual methods. They allow you to quickly create high quality Silhouettes with minimal effort.

Conclusion


A Silhouette image is an artistic representation of an object or scene that focuses on its outline rather than details or shadows. It is created using manual photo editing techniques or specialized third-party tools and often used for symbolic purposes in artwork and photography. Therefore, a Silhouette image is also called an artistic outline portrait representation.