Posted on October , 2025
Backlighting photography reveals a unique beauty that transforms everyday scenes into dramatic expressions of light and shadow. In India—where sunlight ranges from the soft morning haze of the Himalayas to the golden warmth of a Goan sunset—learning to handle backlighting can elevate your photos remarkably. Let’s explore how to control this style, from light direction to exposure settings and creative effects.
Light direction dramatically changes how your photo looks. Generally, we describe light direction as front lighting, side lighting, or backlighting.
When light shines from behind the subject, we call it backlighting. It often creates a glowing rim of light and adds depth to your photos. Think of sunlight filtering through bougainvillea petals or illuminating the fine edges of a child’s hair at an Indian park during the golden hour.
This lighting condition tends to occur during sunrise or sunset when the light is soft and warm. Backlighting brings out a gentle atmosphere that feels natural and emotional, especially in portraits or scenic landscapes.
Backlighting photography can highlight outlines and translucency beautifully. You may notice a bright edge of light—known as rim light—around your subject. This is common when shooting people or objects in front of the sun. For example, a rickshaw driver pedaling through the evening glow in Delhi, or dewdrops sparkling on banana leaves after a monsoon shower.
However, since the light source is behind the subject, the front side often falls into shadow. Faces, textures, or colors can look darker than expected. The challenge is to balance exposure so that details remain visible without losing the backlit mood. Slight adjustments in exposure compensation or using a reflector can help achieve this balance.
TAMRON 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 (Model A047) Focal length: 173mm Exposure: F6.3 Shutter Speed: 1/1000sec ISO: 100
One expressive way to use backlighting is to intentionally create a silhouette. By underexposing the subject, you turn it into a dark shape against a bright sky. This technique works wonderfully at dusk, such as capturing the silhouette of a fisherman on a Kerala beach or a couple walking during an Indian sunset.
To achieve this, use manual mode or adjust exposure so that the background (not the subject) is correctly exposed. Set a narrower aperture like f/8–f/11, and let the subject remain slightly underexposed to strengthen contrast.
TAMRON 90mm F2.8 MACRO (Model F072) Focal length: 90mm Exposure: F16 Shutter Speed: 1/1000sec ISO: 800
Alternatively, you can expose for the subject to make it brighter, allowing the backlight to produce a soft halo around edges. This effect is excellent for portraits, flowers, or translucent objects like glass or fabric.
For example, when photographing marigold petals in temple markets or steam rising from a cup of chai, a wider aperture (around f/2.8–f/4) will create a delicate blur and warmth. Increasing the exposure slightly brings out the glow without washing out the background.
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TAMRON 17-50mm F4 (Model A068) Focal length: 23mm Exposure: F11 Shutter Speed: 1/20sec ISO: 200
Before shooting, decide whether you want a dramatic silhouette or a soft, glowing scene. Your vision determines camera settings and composition. A decisive silhouette works well at sunset over Rajasthan dunes, while a soft backlight suits portraits in shaded gardens.
Aperture (F-number): Use f/8–f/11 for silhouettes or f/2.8–f/4 for soft, glowing tones.
Shutter Speed: Adjust according to brightness. Keep an eye on the histogram to avoid overexposure.
ISO Sensitivity: Use low ISO (100–400) for clear images. Increase it slightly if you want to recover facial detail.
Exposure Compensation: For silhouettes, decrease exposure by -1 EV or more; for glowing effects, increase exposure by +0.3 to +1 EV.
The color tone of backlighting can vary widely depending on white balance. Using Cloudy or Shade settings enhances the warm tone of Indian sunsets. For cooler tones, try Daylight or adjust manually to achieve the mood you want.
When shooting with the sun behind, slight movements can change the look dramatically. Place the light source just outside the frame or hide it behind your subject to control flare. Use a lens hood to reduce ghosting.
Composition is crucial—try framing through doorways in old Delhi streets, or capturing palm leaves partially covering the sun in Goa. Use background contrast to make your subject stand out against the light.
Backlighting enhances textures and freshness. For instance, sunlight filtering through a glass of masala chai highlights the steam, while backlight on mango slices or a bowl of dal makes colors glow naturally. Try placing the light behind the food at an angle of 45° to reveal texture and depth.
TAMRON 70-300mm F4.5-6.3 (Model A047) Focal length: 300mm Exposure: F6.3 Shutter Speed: 1/320sec ISO: 800
Backlighting works beautifully for portraits during the golden hour. A bride’s veil shimmering at sunset or a street vendor’s face softly lit from behind both express warmth and emotion. Use mild positive exposure compensation and a wide aperture to keep skin tones natural while maintaining the soft halo around hair or fabric.
TAMRON 20-40mm F2.8 (Model A062) Focal length: 32mm Exposure: F11 Shutter Speed: 1/320sec ISO: 100
Backlighting emphasizes the contours, shapes, and depth of landscapes. Use a wide-angle lens and keep the perspective in mind to create dynamic compositions.
Especially during sunrise or sunset, light reflecting off atmospheric moisture or dust can create beautiful sunrays, adding a mystical touch to landscape photos. Sunlight reflected on water or droplets sparkling on flowers can also make for compelling subjects.
TAMRON 11-20mm F2.8 (Model B060) Focal length: 20mm Exposure: F2.8 Shutter Speed: 1/6000sec ISO: 500
Backlighting is powerful for capturing the translucence of leaves, petals, or wings. Photograph lotus petals glowing in the morning light or droplets on hibiscus leaves after rain. A macro lens helps you focus closely and blur the background, emphasizing fine details surrounded by radiant light.
TAMRON 20-40mm F2.8 (Model A062) Focal length: 40mm Exposure: F13 Shutter Speed: 1/100sec ISO: 100
Shooting architecture in backlight can dramatically highlight the shape and texture of buildings. By positioning the silhouette of the building against the sunrise or sunset, you can create strong contrast.
When photographing buildings, make sure to utilize the geometric shapes by incorporating diagonal compositions or triangular arrangements. The interplay between light and structure will create a compelling image.
Backlighting can often lead to ghosting and flare, which are caused by light reflecting inside the lens. These phenomena can be used creatively, but if they occur unintentionally, they can detract from the photo’s atmosphere.
TAMRON lenses use the latest lens coating technology, such as BBAR (Broad-Band Anti-Reflection) G2 coatings, to significantly reduce light reflections on the lens surface. Advanced optical designs prevent internal reflections, ensuring clear and sharp image capture, even in backlighting situations.
TAMRON lenses excel in backlighting conditions due to their unique optical design and coating technology. They effectively suppress ghosting and flare, providing sharp and transparent rendering, making them ideal for capturing beautiful backlit photos in various scenes, including landscapes, portraits, and architecture.
India offers endless opportunities for experimenting with backlighting—from coastal sunsets and misty hills to festival scenes glowing with evening lamps. With thoughtful exposure and creative vision, you can turn ordinary subjects into luminous, storytelling photographs that reflect India’s vibrant light and atmosphere.
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