Comments on: Rediscovering Backlit Subjects

By: Wayne

Wayne — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:35:57 +0000

Hey Darren, I really enjoyed this topic. My brother whom also is a photographer uses this technique a lot. He is as they say, that dude when it comes to lighting. He just has an eye for lighting. Being new to digital photography, I am learning to control light through my digital camera (Nikon D-80). I enjoy most of your topics and pray for your continued success.

By: bogart

bogart — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:03:05 +0000

Backlit adds drama and expression to the photograph. However, it is prone to overexposure.

By: Patrick mcHugh

Patrick mcHugh — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:23:21 +0000

I shoot much of my work backlit, it adds another dimension to the shot, many people don’t realize that portraiture and fashion in the studio is quite often only lit from behind.

By: daniel

daniel — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:01:21 +0000

The whole “Positions yourself with the back towards the sun” thing comes from film photography days which was great advice for amateur photographers. With Digital you can keep playing around until you get the shot or effect your after so this rule doesn’t really apply.

Backlighting with the sun can certainly create some nice shots but unless your after silouhettes it can be very hard to get right with such a powerful light source.

Depending on the shot your after you need to have a flash powerful enough to counteract the sunlight and effectively light up the front of your subject and in most cases an oncamera flash just won’t do the trick.

Backlighting can be more effective indoors with controlled light sources such as large or small lamps and is quite often used when photogrpahing people.

If you have a dark background and your photographing a person with dark hair, you can use a backlight to light up their hair which will seperate their dark hair from the background and make them stand out better.

By: rick

rick — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:27:38 +0000

Love the photos. I need to try more of these and get out of the studio more.

By: Big bang

Big bang — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:45:13 +0000

Bravo

By: Big bang

Big bang — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 20:39:23 +0000

Seraphimc made excellent photo. Bravo.

By: Jack

Jack — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 18:14:22 +0000

Super post. One of my favorites.

By: Emil Av

Emil Av — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:28:38 +0000

Nice !

PS: I also started with a camera in a school excursion. This was also my first tip!
The only difference is that the Olympus camera was mine. Given as a gift at that exact time.

By: The Floating frog

The Floating frog — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:17:58 +0000

This is great, lovely advice for an amateur, thanks