Playing with backlighting.
Apr 1, 2019 09:23:50 #
No mystery here, backlighting occurs when the light is behind the subject. The backlight is contrasty and it tends to hit the front of the lens causing flare. A lens hood will not help and a filter will make things worse.
Subjects in silhouette are common because the background is brighter than the foreground. The dynamic range exceeds many times the capabilities of the sensor. The shadows, which intensity depend on the exposure used, as to be expected are in front of the subject.
I like to shoot backlighted subjects in late afternoon when the light is softer and tends to be warmer. Many other photographers use the technique at different times during the day and at night the effect could or could not enhance the photographs with that sunburst effects from street and buildings lights. When the sun can be hidden behind some structures like buildings, the horizon or trees the effect is pretty dramatic and it depends entirely on the lens. Some lenses are better than others when it comes to using the sun in the frame but be careful, damage to the retina can occur if looking at the sun for an extended period of time. Camera manufacturers warn the photographer of this possibility and the possibility of damage to the sensor.
When it comes to exposure experimenting is the best way to determine what exposure is right for the subject. Small lens openings like f11, 16 and at times f22 are usually in use for the technique but be warned that with many cameras f16 and f22 can bring to the image something known as diffraction which happens when the rays of light hitting the diaphragm of the lens bend their path causing a deterioration in the sharpness of the file. That same diaphragm bends the light producing the so called starburst or sunburst effect which is the actual rays of the sun visible in the photograph.
This subject is well covered in many photography books and there is plenty of information in the Net. For these images I used my Olympus EM-10 Mk II and the Zuiko 17mm f2.8 lens. Some of the images made using a tripod.
Subjects in silhouette are common because the background is brighter than the foreground. The dynamic range exceeds many times the capabilities of the sensor. The shadows, which intensity depend on the exposure used, as to be expected are in front of the subject.
I like to shoot backlighted subjects in late afternoon when the light is softer and tends to be warmer. Many other photographers use the technique at different times during the day and at night the effect could or could not enhance the photographs with that sunburst effects from street and buildings lights. When the sun can be hidden behind some structures like buildings, the horizon or trees the effect is pretty dramatic and it depends entirely on the lens. Some lenses are better than others when it comes to using the sun in the frame but be careful, damage to the retina can occur if looking at the sun for an extended period of time. Camera manufacturers warn the photographer of this possibility and the possibility of damage to the sensor.
When it comes to exposure experimenting is the best way to determine what exposure is right for the subject. Small lens openings like f11, 16 and at times f22 are usually in use for the technique but be warned that with many cameras f16 and f22 can bring to the image something known as diffraction which happens when the rays of light hitting the diaphragm of the lens bend their path causing a deterioration in the sharpness of the file. That same diaphragm bends the light producing the so called starburst or sunburst effect which is the actual rays of the sun visible in the photograph.
This subject is well covered in many photography books and there is plenty of information in the Net. For these images I used my Olympus EM-10 Mk II and the Zuiko 17mm f2.8 lens. Some of the images made using a tripod.
Apr 1, 2019 09:32:33 #
Apr 1, 2019 09:35:59 #
Backlighting is my favorite kind of light and you've covered the topic thoroughly and with great tips. I particularly like your #3 for the strong silhouettes and somewhat unexpected composition; and #4 for the long reach of sun rays.
Thanks so much for an inspiring series, William!
Thanks so much for an inspiring series, William!
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Apr 1, 2019 09:37:15 #
You have done these quite well. I frequently use backlighting. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. I also like sidelighting.
Apr 1, 2019 09:41:41 #
I think it's a great way to give some interesting composition along with a nice lit sky. Expose for saturated, stunning sunrise/sunset and have sharp silhouettes in the foreground. I'm big into skies and clouds but sometimes they don't have enough content to stand on they're own.
Apr 1, 2019 09:45:17 #
Dikdik
Loc: Winnipeg, Canada
camerapapi wrote:
No mystery here, backlighting occurs when the light is behind the subject.
Great pictures. Some of the most difficult pictures to photograph properly.
Dik
Apr 1, 2019 09:49:55 #
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Apr 1, 2019 10:01:33 #
Thank you for all the kind comments. Linda I appreciate your visit and comments. Whenever possible I try to help showing my techniques and that used by others applicable to the topic I am using. Backlighting and sidelighting generate a lot of interest and many photographers love the starburst effect created by the sun rays. I am sure you have noticed that I always make a description of the camera and lens used, not that it matters that much but I know many others in the forum like to know this information.
Perhaps I also should generate a series on sidelighting!
Perhaps I also should generate a series on sidelighting!
Apr 1, 2019 10:53:42 #
camerapapi wrote:
Indeed!Perhaps I also should generate a series on sidelighting!
Apr 1, 2019 11:18:21 #
Apr 1, 2019 16:55:48 #
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Apr 1, 2019 21:46:31 #
Apr 2, 2019 07:11:19 #
Apr 2, 2019 08:09:31 #
Apr 2, 2019 08:25:04 #
camerapapi wrote:
No mystery here, backlighting occurs when the ligh... (show quote)
nice set, camerapapi...especially the beautiful sun rays in the last shot.
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