Against the light

There’s something undeniably magical about pointing your camera straight into the light. While traditional wisdom might warn against it, shooting against the sun—also known as backlighting—can unlock a world of atmosphere, emotion, and visual poetry. You need a lens of a good quality though being able to manage light floating directly or partly into the lens in that case. Often some post editing also is needed to bring back contrast if flare is too dominant.

The photos shown here are from Helsingfors, shot yesterday with the Leica M9, Summilux 50mm f1.4 ASPH.

The Beauty of Backlighting When the sun is low in the sky, either during golden hour or just before dusk, its light becomes soft and golden. Shooting into this light creates silhouettes, glowing edges, and a dreamy haze that feels more like memory than reality.

Reflected Light: The Secret Ingredient What elevates a backlit shot from beautiful to breathtaking is the use of reflected light. Whether it’s bouncing off a white wall, shimmering on water, or glinting through a window, reflected light fills in shadows and adds a soft, luminous quality to your subject. It wraps around edges, highlights textures, and creates a sense of depth that’s hard to replicate.

Atmosphere Over Perfection Backlighting invites imperfection—lens flares, soft focus, and unexpected glows. But these “flaws” are often what give the image its soul. They evoke emotion, nostalgia, and a sense of timelessness. It’s not just about capturing a scene—it’s about capturing a feeling.

Tips for Shooting Against the Light:

• Use a reflector or white surface to bounce light back onto your subject.
• Embrace lens flare—try removing your lens hood or slightly tilting your camera.
• Shoot during golden hour for the softest, most flattering light.
• Experiment with silhouettes and partial exposures.

Shooting against the light is more than a technique—it’s a mindset. It’s about chasing beauty in the unexpected, and finding warmth in the shadows. So next time the sun is low, turn toward it. Let the light in morning or afternoon.

If you want to learn more about how light is the key to successful photography, then I will be happy to see you on one of my upcoming workshops. Read more here and sign up. WORKSHOPS