Natural Backlighting for Close-Ups - please share your photos and tips
Feb 12, 2020 07:50:15 #
In close-up photography, backlighting is commonly used for silhouettes, for revealing details in translucent subjects, or achieving attractive rim light that causes the edges of your subject to glow.
Shoot in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is positioned at a lower angle in the sky. Usually you'll want the sun directly behind your subject, but a few degrees to either side can produce excellent results also.
Use manual exposure; otherwise, your image may be lighter than you desire, especially for silhouettes or when your background is in deep shade.
Please share your photos and tips in this thread!
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Here's one of mine to get us started. Tip: a tripod would have helped produce better results. I'm wobbly and usually need a fast shutter speed. This is at 1/1000 sec, which gives me less leeway for keeping ISO low. ISO is 400 here, not an issue, but I was also having trouble with focus. With a tripod I could have enlarged my view in the LCD for better focus on the wings.
But I do love the chaos of the lens flare and the backlit dewdrops!
Dewdrops, on Flickr
Shoot in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is positioned at a lower angle in the sky. Usually you'll want the sun directly behind your subject, but a few degrees to either side can produce excellent results also.
Use manual exposure; otherwise, your image may be lighter than you desire, especially for silhouettes or when your background is in deep shade.
Please share your photos and tips in this thread!
--
Here's one of mine to get us started. Tip: a tripod would have helped produce better results. I'm wobbly and usually need a fast shutter speed. This is at 1/1000 sec, which gives me less leeway for keeping ISO low. ISO is 400 here, not an issue, but I was also having trouble with focus. With a tripod I could have enlarged my view in the LCD for better focus on the wings.
But I do love the chaos of the lens flare and the backlit dewdrops!
Dewdrops, on FlickrFeb 12, 2020 08:01:54 #
tommy2
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Excellent shot. Thank you for this post, looking forward to seeing more photos posted.
Feb 12, 2020 08:13:32 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
In close-up photography, backlighting is commonly ... (show quote)
I think this is beautiful Linda! ♥
Feb 12, 2020 08:36:57 #
tommy2 wrote:
Thank you for the interest and support, Tommy!Excellent shot. Thank you for this post, looking forward to seeing more photos posted.
Feb 12, 2020 08:38:01 #
lovemypups wrote:
Thanks so much, Debbie. I hope you'll find a pic to post and a tip to share? I think this is beautiful Linda! ♥
Feb 12, 2020 13:57:18 #
Here is a backlit shot of a Cup plant blossom. I want to experiment more with backlit subjects in the coming year. Most of my past attempts have been pretty feeble.
Mike
Mike
Feb 12, 2020 14:00:39 #
Blenheim Orange wrote:
What a beauty, Mike. You caught both rim light and the translucence of the flower petals.Here is a backlit shot of a Cup plant blossom. I want to experiment more with backlit subjects in the coming year. Most of my past attempts have been pretty feeble.
Mike
Mike
I don't remember when I first became interested in shooting towards the light, but it is often what I find the most interesting.
Many thanks!
Feb 12, 2020 14:43:22 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
What a beauty, Mike. You caught both rim light and the translucence of the flower petals.
I don't remember when I first became interested in shooting towards the light, but it is often what I find the most interesting.
Many thanks!
I don't remember when I first became interested in shooting towards the light, but it is often what I find the most interesting.
Many thanks!
Thanks. I really like the rim lighting effect bit don't often get it right.
Mike
Feb 12, 2020 14:48:26 #
Blenheim Orange wrote:
Do you think that's an exposure issue or angle of sun, or something else? I believe I've only seen it by accident Thanks. I really like the rim lighting effect bit don't often get it right.
Mike
Mike
The below is another example (big crop) where the sun was not directly behind the subject but a bit to the left.
Feb 12, 2020 15:07:13 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
In close-up photography, backlighting is commonly ... (show quote)
That's a very beautiful image.
Feb 12, 2020 15:16:34 #
Great subject and shots from you and mike, Witch also reminds me I don't remember when I started shooting into light, but when I did (years ago) it opened up a whole new ball game. when I first started everyone told me always shoot with the sun to your back, if your just starting out that's a good idea, but after you have shot a year or two learn to shoot into the sun.
Here is a example of back lit not shooting into the sun, just some lit leaves from a tree using a 50mm f/2 prime lens, I have said it many times if you do not own a 50mm prime lens you need to get one, you will learn much much more, oh yes get out and shoot, shoot, shoot.
Just a note: not all 50mm primes will make bubble bokeh like this, this one is from a Minolta 50mm f/2
another Note I own 5 50mm prime lenses and 2 58mm a one 45mm, you will need to do your home work
Here is a example of back lit not shooting into the sun, just some lit leaves from a tree using a 50mm f/2 prime lens, I have said it many times if you do not own a 50mm prime lens you need to get one, you will learn much much more, oh yes get out and shoot, shoot, shoot.
Just a note: not all 50mm primes will make bubble bokeh like this, this one is from a Minolta 50mm f/2
another Note I own 5 50mm prime lenses and 2 58mm a one 45mm, you will need to do your home work
Feb 12, 2020 15:30:35 #
steve1oshea wrote:
Thank you kindly. Hope you will post to the thread also!That's a very beautiful image.
Feb 12, 2020 15:32:47 #
HOT Texas wrote:
That is a gorgeous example of how to use the light; thank you so much, Johnny.Great subject and shots from you and mike, Witch a... (show quote)
Funny to remember the advice about positioning the sun behind the photographer. How many generations of pictures do we have with all the subjects squinting?
Many thanks for your participation.
Feb 12, 2020 16:22:57 #
Linda From Maine wrote:
Do you think that's an exposure issue or angle of sun, or something else? I believe I've only seen it by accident The below is another example (big crop) where the sun was not directly behind the subject but a bit to the left.
The below is another example (big crop) where the sun was not directly behind the subject but a bit to the left.That is a great example, and a great image. I get them by accident, too. The angle of the sun is the key.
Product photographers get that effect all the time with artificial lighting.
Mike
Feb 12, 2020 16:48:22 #
HOT Texas wrote:
Great subject and shots from you and mike, Witch a... (show quote)
Now that is interesting, Johnny. You have to see the larger version to really appreciate it. That is some bubble bokeh!
Mike
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