Counterlight

/ˈkaʊntərˌlaɪt/ noun

Definition

Light that shines from an opposite direction, often used in photography, art, or film to create a particular visual effect.

Etymology

From counter- + light, from Old English leoht. In art terminology, counterlight refers to backlighting or lighting that opposes the main light source.

Kelly Says

Portrait photographers love counterlight because it creates a glowing outline around hair and edges, making subjects look almost magical against a darker background!

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.