Contre jour Photography – Backlighting

Contre jour is often used in photography and refers to taking photos “into the light” and contrary to popular belief stunning photographs can be taken when shooting into the light. Whilst this may contradict advice given to beginners to always shoot with the light coming from behind the camera the art of backlighting or contre jour photography is a technique that can produce wonderful images. However, many photographers are intimidated by the idea of pointing the camera towards the light and shy away from many potential back-lit photography opportunities.

There is much to consider when using the backlighting or contre jour photography technique if frustration and disappointment are to be avoided. However, once mastered there is little doubt that backlighting can be magical and will add both drama and visual impact to your photographs and diversity and interest to your photo portfolio. There are many subjects to try, my favourites are translucent flowers and foliage or rim lighting of animals and birds. Backlighting will enhance mist, rain and haze adding creativity and atmosphere to landscape images.

The two most challenging aspects of photographing contre jour or back-lit subjects are to adequately eliminate flare and ensure correct exposure. These concerns can be allayed with a little practice, good technique and an understanding of the exposure process.

Flare gives rise to a loss of definition and is probably the most significant area within contre jour photography that requires attention, so a measured and methodical approach is needed. Flare is produced when intense rays of light hit the front element of the lens causing excessive lens refraction, this leads to specula highlights, image softening and loss of definition. Clearly this is to be avoided when photographing contre jour photography subjects and there are several ways to overcome this undesirable effect.

Lenses show individual characteristics but in general the more lens elements used in their construction the more vulnerable they will be to flare. With this in mind zoom lenses are more likely to be flare susceptible that prime fixed focal length lenses. Lens coatings also have an impact on flare, modern multi coated lenses consistently outperform earlier models and this alone can significantly reduce most potential flare problems.

In many backlighting situations using a designated lens hood will greatly improve the chances of eliminating flare by keeping stray light from striking the front element of the lens. Indeed, the use of a good quality lens hood can improve saturation in contre jour subjects, indeed will be beneficial to all images.

Having taken the above precautions a final visual inspection of the image through the viewfinder, preferably with the lens stopped down, will show any remaining areas of softness or highlights resulting from flare. This may only require a slight repositioning of the camera to eliminate.

The other challenge in photographing backlit or contre jour subjects is how best to handle exposure. Underexposure is a common problem in backlighting, as the brightly lit background will overly influence the camera’s meter; this will turn the subject very dark, indeed almost silhouette like.

Exposure compensation is the answer and it is best to give between one and two stops extra exposure from the “normal” exposure suggested by the camera. Alternatively, take a spot meter reading from the shadow area and expose at the camera’s reading this should require no compensation. As exposure for contre jour photography subjects is tricky it is best to practice various exposure metering patterns and overrides until you are comfortable in approaching various back-lit lighting opportunities as they present themselves.

So, photographers, there really is no excuse for not getting out there, there is an endless variety of potential contre jour photography subjects waiting to be found and with care they can become some of the most creative and satisfying images in your photo portfolio.

© Phil McDermott

Articles by Phil McDermott, Isle of Mull Photography, we offer personalised Isle of Mull Photography Workshops and also commercial and wedding photography.