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Backlight is light that hits an actor or subject from behind, typically higher than the subject it is exposing. Backlighting an object or actor from the background creates more depth and shape to a subject.

Kyle DeGuzman graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science in Television, Film, & New Media. He currently resides in Denver, Colorado spending his time writing, filmmaking, and traveling.

Back light can be used in multiple ways for different effects, but its positioning is generally standard among all techniques. Understanding the backlight definition will help you incorporate it in your next lighting setups.

As you can see, there are various ways to utilize back light in the cinematography of your film. Determining how to use it comes down to the tone of your story and how back lighting photography can contribute to it. Here are some actionable lighting techniques and tips for using back lighting in your lighting set up.

So, is backlighting as simple as placing a light somewhere behind your subject? Or is there a bit more strategy or nuance to this technique? Let's walk through some tips on how to make sure you get the most out of this style.

Almost any PDF pattern can be projected, with the use of the PDFStitcher tool, we can quickly digitally assemble small page files into a complete pattern, or adjust line thickness if needed. But layered sizes in the files are essential. While it is possible to project a file without layers, the task of differentiating the lines without the ability to turn off sizes we don’t need is quite hard.

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Back light within a three-point-lighting setup will help offset the flatness created by your key and fill light. To do this, place your backlight on the same side of your key light. Then, raise your backlight higher than the subject it is hitting and angle it down at your subject at roughly a 45 degree angle.

But to take full advantage of the time savings and efficiency in cutting that a projector offers, it is best to focus on just using projector-specific files, at least when starting with this tool. Projector files are PDF files, but they have layout features that make it faster to cut with a projector. Most importantly they have all pieces aligned to have grain line in same direction, so that we don’t have to change orientation of the fabric for each pattern pieces.

Ideally, you would shoot your exteriors at golden hour for the most cinematic natural lighting. This shot from Ford v Ferrari uses the sun as a backlight perfectly to create a very cinematic image.

Sometimes backlights are used as the main key light of a shot as well. This leads to a silhouette which has a very different effect than back lighting in a three-point-lighting setup. It can be incredibly dramatic and ominous which is perfect for dramas and thrillers.

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Secondly, here is a list of almost 150 projector-friendly pattern companies compiled by Mary H., a member of the Projectors for Sewing Facebook group. The list includes information about the types of files they have and sizes they offer. Viewers can add comments in the spreadsheet to let Mary know of other companies to add, as new pattern designers around the world are joining the projector sewing movement all the time.

Cinematographer Roger Deakins uses it in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford to heighten the suspense and drama of a scene. Consider this moment and how dramatic the silhouette is, the atmosphere of the forest, and the simple yet evocative composition.

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Don’t be afraid to use a backlight as your main light source when a shot calls for it. Some of the most iconic shots in cinema have used only a backlight as a main source of exposure.

When shooting exterior shots, it is a good idea to use the sun as a backlight. The sun can often be too harsh of a light to be a source, but can be utilized as a backlight depending on the sun’s angle.

So, next time you are lighting a scene and feel like something is missing or the image is too flat, try out back lighting and experiment with all of the great things it can add to a shot.

Back lighting is a main component of the traditional three-point-lighting technique and is what makes a frame feel three-dimensional rather than flat. When a backlight hits a subject at an angle it is referred to as a kicker or rim light.

Back lighting photography also brings out shapes in a subject that can be used for dramatic effect as seen in this still from The Hateful Eight, one of Quentin Tarantino’s best movies. Although subtle, the backlight helps define the shape of the hat and steam that would otherwise fall flat against the background.

A great example of this can be seen in this still from Shutter Island. The back light photography here creates depth and drama by separating the subject from the background.

Backlight lightingfor sale

Apostrophe Patterns are ideal for using with a projector, because they unlimited-use custom-fit pattern generators. For the price of one pattern, you get to use the online pattern generator in your account on the Apostrophe website to enter body measurements for as many different people and sizes as you like, choose from dozens of style options, and enter your fabric’s stretch. Then instantly, a PDF pattern is created that is custom fit to measurements entered, and you can download to project, cut and sew within minutes. Start with a free simple pattern, the Ears Calculator, and then buy full patterns with multiple style options such as the MyFit Raglan, MyFit Joggers, and MyFit Underwear patterns. These patterns are the best deal in sewing, and truly #sewingmagic. As you can tell, I am a big fan of Apostrophe Patterns, and I have been a moderator in their Facebook group for many years.

Backlights can be the determining factor between a flat, boring image and an interesting, dynamic shot that is full of depth. Most cinematic shots use back lighting in some form and are the key to elevating an amateur looking shot.

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To see this type of back lighting in action, check out this video tutorial that covers back light in a three-point-lighting setup as well as others.

Understanding how a backlight works in conjunction with a fill light and key light is critical for creating cinematic shots. Check out our guide to the three-point-lighting setup that is fundamental for every filmmaker to understand.

A visual medium requires visual methods. Master the art of visual storytelling with our FREE video series on directing and filmmaking techniques.

Take this famous scene from Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange for example. The darkness and silhouettes help us understand Alex and his droogs as cruel and menacing.

Knowing how to light your scene means understanding how both light and darkness should be used. Silhouettes have great tonal and storytelling capabilities that can heighten the drama of a scene.

Because back light photography hits a subject from behind at a higher angle, it gives a sense of depth and space behind the subject. Back light not only exposes the rim of an actor, but can help expose the space behind them to create a more three-dimensional image.

The nesting of sizes on Jalie patterns is done with the goal of making it easy to mix and match sizes of various widths and heights, so that patterns can be adjusted directly when cutting, without needing extensive alterations before cutting. If it is preferred to do pattern fitting adjustments in advance, Jalie projector pattern files are ideal for digital editing. Their shapes are all joined with the most efficient number of nodes, making it easy to reshape the pattern pieces as desired.

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Sew PDF was started to give more attention to small scale pattern designers who make great quality patterns, but don’t get enough attention in the indie pattern market. Sew PDF showcases the “hidden gems” of the PDF sewing pattern community. They now include dozens of designers, and over 130 patterns with projector files, available to search and filter on this page. The Sew PDF e-newsletter is a great one to subscribe to as well, to discover new designers they highlight each week.

There are many elements that go into creating a cinematic shot. The key light is important to expose the image. The fill light can determine the visual tone of a shot. But all too overlooked is the backlight. Back lighting can be the determining factor between a flat image and an interesting shot full of depth. What is backlight photography and how is it achieved? Let’s find out.

Just like any other light, experimenting with its positioning and angles will help you identify how you want it to expose your frame. Small adjustments can make a huge difference, so be sure you make time to experiment and test your backlighting setup.

Jalie is perhaps the company that has the largest number of high quality projector patterns in the world, with the largest number of sizes in each file of any pattern designer. They currently have 202 layered projector files in their catalog, with great features such as unfolded pieces and large margins, in almost all styles. As soon as projector sewing became popular, they started going through their extensive back catalog and digitized dozens and dozens of older patterns to be layered files and create projector specific layouts. Along with their dedication to projector sewing, they are committed to excellent fit in a huge size range. Jalie patterns include in same pattern both kid and adults sizes. Their newest patterns go up to 61″ bust and hip measurements. Their pattern development approach, honed over the last three decades, is based on a system of multiple body forms in many sizes, allowing them to spend more time analysing and fixing fit issues in their studio during their pattern testing phase.

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Within the context of a traditional three-point-lighting setup, a backlight reduces the flatness of the image against a background caused by the key light and fill light by separating a subject from the background.

First, here are links to excellent pattern companies with high quality projector files that are great to start with when projector sewing and making digital pattern adjustments:

We’re in a golden age of TV writing and development. More and more people are flocking to the small screen to find daily entertainment. So how can you break put from the pack and get your idea onto the small screen? We’re here to help.