backlighting
Light from behind
Backlighting is illumination from behind a subject, creating silhouettes or glowing edges.
In photography and film, backlighting separates subjects from backgrounds and produces dramatic rim effects: The backlighting made her hair glow.
On screens and displays, backlighting provides the light source that makes images visible: The keyboard backlighting helps me type in the dark.
Summary of key elements
- shadowLight blocked by object
- profileSide-facing outline
- contourBounding line of shape
- figureOutline or numeral
form · shape · silhouetted · subject · pose · contrast · darkness · obscure
Steady, soft light
- haloLuminous ring overhead
- auraPerceived emanation surrounding someone
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- softnessYielding to gentle pressure
haze · misty · foggy · sunset · sunrise · dusk · dreamy · warmth
State of being unprotected
- contrastNotable difference between things
- meteringControlled measurement of quantity
- overexposureExcessive amount of something
- reflectorLight-redirecting surface
Motion picture visual craft
- chiaroscuroContrast technique in painting
- noirHard-boiled film genre
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
- shotQuick liquor serving
frame · camera · practical · grip · gaffer · exposure · storyboard · composition
outline
Summary of key elements
figure · form · shape · silhouetted · subject · pose · contrast · darkness · obscure · underexpose
glow
Steady, soft light
- haloLuminous ring overhead
- auraPerceived emanation surrounding someone
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
softness · haze · misty · foggy · sunset · sunrise · dusk · dreamy · warmth · diffusion
exposure
State of being unprotected
- contrastNotable difference between things
- meteringControlled measurement of quantity
- overexposureExcessive amount of something
cinematography
Motion picture visual craft
- chiaroscuroContrast technique in painting
- noirHard-boiled film genre
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
shot · frame · camera · practical · grip · gaffer · exposure · storyboard · composition · blocking
screen
Display or barrier
monitor · brightness · luminance · dimming · uniformity · bleeding · clouding · nits · panel · readability
- keyboardskeyboard, keys, piano, pianos, organ
- lighting termsdimming, LED bulb, brightening, incandescent bulb, halogen bulb
- visual effectsCGI, animation, green screen, bloom, motion capture
- LEDsLED, LED bulb, LED chip, LED strip, LED lamp
- Natural Lightingsunlight, golden hour, blue hour, midday sun, shade
- photography termsunderexposed, overexposed, exposure time, fisheye lens, fisheye