The collaborative project I am working on with several other talented photographers spent the last four weeks on shadows. Today, we are beginning our next month on the theme referred to as backlighting. Simply put, backlighting is when a light source is behind the main subject. While many people have been told at some point not to shoot into the light, the effects can be quite magical if you can successfully do it right.
By having the light behind your subject, the finer details of an object can be enhanced as well as the capture of some lovely silhouettes (one of my favorite techniques). Landscape photography works well with backlighting, especially with translucent flowers and foliage (great for this time of year) or rim lighting of animals and objects in the background. Even atmospheric elements such as haze, fog, steam or mist can be intensified and therefore alter the mood of an image.
Below is my first take on backlighting. These shots were all taking in the Tuscan region of Italy last week (see last blog post here). The wonderful morning sun enhanced the textures and fine details of my images. Many of these details are only truly noticeable with the backlit sun.
Spider and her web basking in the backlit sun.
Dried milk thistle along the Tuscan sky
Italian grape leaves
Please continue along in our blog circle to see all the other wonderful backlit images for this week. Up next is my dear friend Justine Knight again. Please click HERE to see her take and while you are on her page, stay awhile to see her gorgeous street photography photos.