How to Backlight a Portrait Subject

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1

Place your main light behind the subject.

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This is the source of your subject’s seeming glow.

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2

Position a fill light in front of the subject.

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This fill light prevents the face from falling into shadow.

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3

For full backlighting, position the main light directly behind the subject, about even with the subject’s head.

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This figure shows a photo with full backlighting. Check your composition carefully to make sure that the light is hidden from the camera’s view.

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4

For side rim lighting, set up a small light with a snoot on a boom pointed at the side of the subject’s head, away from the camera.

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You want to create just a hint of backlighting to add some glow to one side of the head.

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Practice this technique and get the hang of it. Rim lighting and backlighting are valuable lighting techniques for certain types of portraiture, such as a bride’s portrait. Just be careful not to overdo it.

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Source:http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-backlight-a-portrait-subject.html