How to Take a Backlit Photograph

It is a popular notion that in taking a photograph, the subject should always be lit from the front. In this usual setup, the light is coming from behind the photographer and the subject is facing the light source, such as the sun in outdoor settings, or an artificial light indoors.

Lighting the subject from the back is considered an "unusual" and less popular technique, but one which has a great deal of creative potential. The most important things to remember is to carefully set up and experiment to get the right exposure.

Instructions

1

In taking a backlit shot, position the subject in such a way that the light source is coming from behind the subject toward the camera. Set your camera to "manual" mode, as this will not work in "auto" mode. The manual mode is the only way to trick the camera's light sensor into sensing that there is sufficient light on the subject, when in reality the surroundings are better lit than the subject.

2

Take a test shot using your camera light meter's chosen exposure, which will be based on the existing light falling on the subject. The lighting will be low and may trigger the camera's pop-up flash, so set your automatic flash to "off."

3

Review the test shot and adjust the exposure. If your aim is to produce a dramatic silhouette of the subject, expose for the brighter surrounding by allowing less light to enter the camera's sensor. You can do this by choosing a smaller aperture or a faster shutter speed.

4

To use backlighting to accentuate the hair and shoulders of a person, expose for his or her face by using a larger aperture or slower shutter speed. A tripod is necessary to produce sharp photos in low light conditions, where slow shutter speeds will be used. Fill-in flash may also be used to add more light to the face, as long as it doesn't overpower the backlit effect. Modern digital SLR cameras have flash outputs that can be controlled.

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It is a popular notion that in taking a photograph, the subject should always be lit from the front. In this usual setup, the light is coming from behind the photographer and the subject is facing the light source, such as the sun in outdoor settings, or an artificial light indoors.

Lighting the subject from the back is considered an "unusual" and less popular technique, but one which has a great deal of creative potential. The most important things to remember is to carefully set up and experiment to get the right exposure.

Instructions

1

In taking a backlit shot, position the subject in such a way that the light source is coming from behind the subject toward the camera.

Enhance your photography skill,The Top Secret Photography Techniques

. Set your camera to "manual" mode, as this will not work in "auto" mode. The manual mode is the only way to trick the camera's light sensor into sensing that there is sufficient light on the subject, when in reality the surroundings are better lit than the subject.
2

Take a test shot using your camera light meter's chosen exposure, which will be based on the existing light falling on the subject. The lighting will be low and may trigger the camera's pop-up flash, so set your automatic flash to "off."

3

Review the test shot and adjust the exposure. If your aim is to produce a dramatic silhouette of the subject, expose for the brighter surrounding by allowing less light to enter the camera's sensor. You can do this by choosing a smaller aperture or a faster shutter speed.

4

To use backlighting to accentuate the hair and shoulders of a person, expose for his or her face by using a larger aperture or slower shutter speed. A tripod is necessary to produce sharp photos in low light conditions, where slow shutter speeds will be used. Fill-in flash may also be used to add more light to the face, as long as it doesn't overpower the backlit effect. Modern digital SLR cameras have flash outputs that can be controlled.

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