In landscape photography, light is everything—and one of the most visually striking techniques you can use is backlighting. When you position your camera so that the light source (like the sun) is behind your subject, you can achieve dramatic silhouettes, glowing edges, and radiant atmospheres that transform ordinary scenes into extraordinary images.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to use backlighting effectively in your landscape shots, including composition tips, exposure tricks, and creative ideas.
☀️ What Is Backlighting?
Backlighting occurs when the light source is directly behind your main subject, shining toward the camera. This can:
- Create silhouettes or semi-silhouettes
- Produce rim lighting that outlines edges with a glow
- Add warmth and radiance to vegetation or mist
- Introduce sun flares and dreamy effects
🌄 Why Use Backlighting in Landscapes?
- Emphasize shape and form
- Add mood and atmosphere
- Create contrast between light and dark
- Enhance transparency in leaves, grasses, or mist
- Draw the viewer’s attention to the light source or subject
Backlighting adds visual interest and storytelling power to your images.
🕰️ Best Times to Use Backlight
- Golden Hour (Sunrise & Sunset): Soft, warm light that enhances rim lighting and reduces harsh shadows
- Blue Hour: For subtle backlight and cool ambient tones
- Foggy or Misty Mornings: Light beams become visible, adding mystique
- Low Sun Angles: Maximize glow and directional flare
⚙️ Camera Settings for Backlit Landscapes
Exposure:
- Use spot metering on the brightest part of the scene (often the sky)
- Bracket your shots (+/-1 or 2 stops) for blending in post
- Expose for the highlights to avoid blown-out skies
Aperture:
- f/8–f/16 for sunstars and crisp depth of field
- f/2.8–f/5.6 for dreamy, shallow DOF or flare-heavy effects
ISO:
- Keep it low (100–400) for minimal noise
White Balance:
- Shoot in RAW for flexibility; try Cloudy or Shade presets for warmer tones
📸 Composition Tips
1. Include Foreground Elements
- Trees, grasses, rocks—let them catch the light from behind for added depth
2. Use Leading Lines Toward the Light Source
- Trails, rivers, fences can guide the eye into the light
3. Frame the Light
- Use natural elements like branches or rock arches to create visual framing around the sun
4. Capture Light Rays
- Mist, fog, or dust enhances visible light beams—shoot at a slight angle to maximize their appearance
🌟 Creative Effects with Backlight
- Sunbursts: Use a small aperture (f/16) and partially block the sun with a tree or rock
- Lens Flares: Shoot directly into the light for artistic flares—use or control them creatively
- Translucent Textures: Shoot through leaves, tall grass, or flower petals to reveal glowing textures
- Silhouettes: Meter for the sky and let the foreground go dark
🧰 Gear Tips
- Lens Hood: Helps reduce unwanted flare (remove if you want more flare)
- ND Filters: Useful for long exposures at sunrise/sunset
- Tripod: Helps with precise composition and exposure bracketing
- Cleaning Cloth: Sunlight reveals lens smudges—keep your glass clean!
🧠 Final Thoughts
Backlighting is a creative force in landscape photography. It allows you to craft compelling images that shimmer with light and emotion. It challenges you to compose intentionally, expose mindfully, and think about the way light interacts with every surface.
So next time you’re out during golden hour, don’t just face the light—turn toward the glow and let it light up your scene.
Happy shooting!