What effect does back lighting have on a subject?

Back lighting refers to the technique where the light source is positioned behind the subject being photographed or filmed. This placement can create a captivating halo effect around the subject, which highlights its outline and adds a sense of depth to the image. The effect occurs because the light is directed towards the camera, causing the subject itself to be somewhat silhouetted while the edges catch the light, giving an ethereal or dramatic appearance.

The halo effect created by back lighting is particularly effective in enhancing the visual impact of the subject, drawing attention and providing a three-dimensional quality to an otherwise flat image. This technique is often used in portraiture and creative photography to establish mood and atmosphere, making the subject stand out against a lighter background.

Other methods of lighting, such as illuminating the subject from the front, would not create this characteristic halo effect and would instead reduce contrast. Similarly, back lighting does not serve to eliminate shadows completely or darken only the edges of the subject. The unique quality of back lighting is that it emphasizes the contours and outlines, giving a captivating visual effect not achieved by direct frontal lighting.