Backlighting

/ˈbæklɪtɪŋ/ noun

Definition

A lighting technique where the main light source is positioned behind the subject, creating a silhouette or glowing outline effect.

Etymology

Compound of 'back' and 'lighting,' a photography and film term that emerged in the early 1900s with cinema.

Kelly Says

Backlighting creates that magical glowing-hair effect you see in movies and portraits—it's one of the first lighting tricks cinematographers learn because it looks dramatically beautiful!

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