Backlit portraits

Lauren Scott shoots into the sun for dramatically different results

Portrait photographers are often told to follow particular lighting rules, but these can really limit your creativity. Shooting towards the direction of the sun, for example, is seen by some as undesirable, but produces stunning results when done in the right way. In this project we’ll be shooting backlit portraits, while explaining the best ways to avoid flat images and achieve more striking results in natural light. If you’re not used to dealing with backlighting, the main challenge is figuring out how to position and expose for your subject correctly. Plus, bright sun beams can throw off your lens’ focusing ability. There are, however, plenty of advantages to the approach, too. Your model doesn’t have to squint by looking into strong sunlight, and you’ll avoid harsh shadows on their face. From a more creative sense, sun rays introduce an artistic quality without the need to add flash. The effect is easier to master than you might think…