Capturing Depth with Backlighting in Photos

Black and White photos, Photography

I was first a bit lost with this challenge; it’s not that I don’t enjoy taking backlit photos—quite the opposite, in fact. I find it a great way to capture atmosphere and mood, as there’s something inherently magical about the way light interacts with the subjects. However, I also recognize that no sunsets or sunrises should be featured if I’m not shooting directly towards the light source. This has prompted me to explore different angles and perspectives, allowing the light to create a sense of depth and intrigue in my images. Additionally, I made a conscious effort to avoid overly simplistic silhouette images, as I wanted my photographs to embody a more complex layering of shades and nuances of light. Each shot became an opportunity to experiment with subtle gradients and textures, enriching the overall visual narrative that I aimed to convey through my work. Hope you fell I succeeded in my effort.

For Monochrome Madness this week, Brian Bushboy has set a challenge – Backlighting.

My first is a side portrait of my grandsone sitting in front of a window.

A side portrait of a boy sitting by a window, showcasing the interplay of light and shadows.
A forest scene, highlighting the intricate roots of a tree intertwined with rocks and foliage, showcasing the play of light and shadows. Location a forest in Finland
A serene view of a wooden pier extending into the dark waters, with dramatic clouds overhead, evoking a sense of tranquility and atmospheric depth. I used blue as the base color for this monotone image. Location Florida
A moody view of the coastline framed by trees, showcasing the beauty of nature in monochrome. Location Hyams Beach in NSW Australia
A tranquil, winding road enveloped by lush trees, showcasing the interplay of light and shadow. Green tones in this image. Location NSW Australia
A black-and-white/ monochrome image showcasing people walking through a modern, well-lit corridor, emphasizing the interplay of light and shadow. Maybe more sidelight than backlit, or is this semantics. Image from Serlachius museum in Mänttä Finland

16 thoughts on “Capturing Depth with Backlighting in Photos”

  4. These are so fabulous Ritva 😀 You have taken the challenge to another level. An all round wonderful gallery from the first photo to the last

  7. Excellent photos for this challenge Ritva! I like how the backlighting draws my eye right through the picture, creating a 3D depth. Your last image is outstanding. The side lighting created shadows, and the mirrors created reflections.

  12. The forest scene is wonderful – so much detail. And I think the use of any direction of lighting that isn’t purely behind you can be considered as ‘backlighting’. The last image works very well.

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