Backlighting

[Heather]

Backlighting

Or, in lighting design backlighting is the process of illuminating the subject from the back. In other words, the lighting instrument and the viewer face each other, with the subject in between. This creates a glowing effect on the edges of the subject, while other areas are darker. The backlight can be a natural or artificial source of light. When artificial, the back light is usually placed directly behind the subject in a 4-point lighting setup.


Three Persons viewing the Borghese Gladiator by candlelight
by Joseph Wright of Derby
1765

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backlig...

[Heather]

A back light, which lights foreground elements from the rear, is not to be confused with a background light, which lights background elements (such as scenery).
A background light is used to illuminate the background area of a set. The background light will also provide separation between the subject and the background. Many lighting setups follow a three-point lighting or four-point lighting setup. Four-point lighting is the same as three-point lighting with the addition of a background light. In a four-point lighting, the background light is placed last and is usually placed directly behind the subject and pointed at the background.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backgro...