Phil McDermott offers some advice and encouragement
on how to use backlighting in your photography.
The Art Of Backlighting
Contrary to popular belief stunning photographs can
be taken when shooting into the light. Whilst this may
contradict advice given to beginners to always shoot
with the light coming from behind the camera the art
of backlighting is a technique that can produce wonderful
images. However, many nature photographers are intimidated
by the idea of pointing the camera towards the light
and shy away from many worthwhile opportunities.
There is much to consider when using this technique
if frustration and disappointment are to be avoided.
However, once mastered there is little doubt that backlighting
can be magical and will add both drama and visual impact
to your photographs and diversity and interest to your
portfolio. There are many subjects to try, my favourites
are translucent flowers and foliage or rim lighting of
animals and birds. Backlighting will enhance mist, rain
and haze adding creativity and atmosphere to landscape
images.
The two most challenging aspects of photographing backlit
subjects are to adequately eliminate flare and ensure
correct exposure. These concerns can be allayed with
a little practice, good technique and an understanding
of the exposure process.
Flare gives rise to a loss of definition and is probably
the most significant area requiring attention, so a measured
and methodical approach is needed. It is produced when
intense rays of light hit the front element of the lens
causing excessive lens refraction, this leads to specula
highlights, image softening and loss of definition. Clearly
this is to be avoided and there are several ways to overcome
this undesirable effect.
Lenses show individual characteristics but in general
the more lens elements used in their construction the
more vulnerable they will be to flare. With this in mind
zoom lenses are more likely to be flare susceptible that
prime fixed focal length lenses. Lens coatings also have
an impact on flare, modern multi coated lenses consistently
outperform earlier models and this alone can significantly
reduce most potential flare problems.
In many backlighting situations using a designated lens
hood will greatly improve the chances of eliminating
flare by keeping stray light from striking the front
element of the lens. Indeed, the use of a good quality
lens hood can improve saturation in all images.
Having taken the above precautions a final visual inspection
of the image through the viewfinder, preferably with
the lens stopped down, will show any remaining areas
of softness or highlights resulting from flare. This
may only require a slight repositioning of the camera
to eliminate.
The other challenge in photographing backlit subjects
is how best to handle exposure. Overexposure is a common
problem in backlighting, as the brightly-lit background
will overly influence the camera's meter; this will turn
the subject very dark, indeed almost silhouette like.
Exposure compensation is the answer and it is best to
give between one and two stops extra exposure from the
'normal' exposure suggested by the camera. Alternatively,
take a spot meter reading from the shadow area and expose
at the camera's reading this should require no compensation.
As exposure for backlit subjects is tricky it is best
to practice various exposure metering patterns and overrides
until you are comfortable in approaching various back
lighting opportunities that present themselves.
So, nature photographers, there really is no excuse
for not getting out there, there is an endless variety
of subjects waiting to be found and with care they can
become some of your most creative and satisfying images.
Phil McDermott based on the Isle of Mull in the west
of Scotland specialising in natural history and environmental
photography. Visit Redstart Photography for
further details and image galleries.
“My priority is to uphold a genuine care and respect
for the environment and subjects and the following pages
unfold to reflect this approach. Through photography
I hope to raise awareness and encourage a greater appreciation
of the splendour of the natural world”.
