I'm not totally sure why I find photographic silhouettes so intriguing. I always have.

It's more than just the mystery from all that black space. It seems that questions we subconsiously have from typical photos (Who is this? What are they doing? What type of person? What's on their mind? etc.) somehow stir more intensely when we are looking at a silhouette. Any ambiguity amplifies this even more.

And then there is the marvel of just how our minds are able to make sense out of these things. No detail except for outline, yet we instantly recognize one of our own walking, standing, looking at a cell phone...

My home is in an ideal place for taking silhouettes. From my yard, I look west over a gorgeous lagoon as the sun sets behind people walking by on what is likely Saipan's busiest sidewalk. A foot bridge with wooden rails and several trees give great "patterning" to complement the main subject. For several years, I have thought it might be fun to take advantage of that and spend time toward sunset just snapping away for silhouettes.

Well, recent free time has lead me to set this particular simple creative dream in motion. I hope you enjoy the first installment of SUNSETS AND SILHOUETTES, photos taken from my yard.

Oh, and be warned: If you walk by my place on Beach Road Walkway near sunset on an evening when I'm sitting out in my yard, you might just end up in a future gallery......