Backlighting in Portraits

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I LOVE backlighting in portraits and wanted to share

what I have learned to create spectacular photos with

light from behind the subject.

My favorite time of day for backlit portraits is

the evening, but it also works in early morning right after sunrise. 

For this photo series, I started about two hours before sunset

when the sun was golden and low in the sky.

It's not really an exact science.  It takes experimentation.

Place your model with the sun to their back and see how the

sun reflects off their hair.

I used a large, gold reflector for this series because

I like to see the face,

but you can experiment without a reflector and

shadowed faces which also create a mood.

I meter off their cheek.  Don't worry about

blowing out the background...It will create

amazing art.

There are no perfect camera settings for

backlighting.  Experiment!

I used ISO 100, large aperature (2.8 on a 50mm 1.4 lens)

and a fast shutter speed. But you will need to try various settings

to achieve the look you like.

I LOVE the bokeh around the lighted trees!

Turn your model different ways to achieve

different lighting effects.

Below, the sun lights her from the left side. (I used a reflector.)

I don't have an assistant.  I hold that dang reflector myself

and it's VERY awkward...but works for me.

Did I tell you I LOVE backlighting???

You can also backlight during the afternoon.

When I first started doing portrait work,

I used to PRAY for a cloudy day.

But that isn't realistic, so I had to learn to

embrace the sun however it was that day.

This next group of photos was taken about 2:30 PM with

bright sunshine.

The key is to find a location where

you don't have shadows on the faces.

This means finding some shade like

a tree, a building...whatever will take the direct

sunlight off the subject's face,

but still allow the sun to illuminate the

hair.

These were taken on a covered bridge.

The cover on the bridge blocked sun from

their faces...thus shadows...

but I played with the delightful backlighting.

I did not use a reflector for this series

because I had plenty of mid-day light.

Sunflares can really add to the artistry of your portrait.

Move around, to place the sun over a shoulder or

behind the head.

OR....

You can add a sun flare in Photoshop and Elements

if the sun isn't in the perfect place.

How enchanting is this gazebo photo

with the perfectly placed sunflare? 

(*wink!*)

I don't let a sunny day stop me from taking

portrait shots.  I just find some shade...

And use the bright light as an enhancing feature.

Recently, I photographed a family on a sunny winter

day...the only time they could all be together.

Notice how I found a spot partially

shaded by this pine tree to elminate shadows on

their faces...yet utilized the streaming

sunlight as an effect.

I did the same thing here with that

wall of tall bushes and brush to their

left...yet look at the awesome side light.

For this closer shot, I used the shade from

the trees.

I LOVE action shot portraits!