Backlighting is one of those techniques in portrait photography that can quickly elevate your work if you do it correctly. Understanding how different types of backlights work and how each impacts your image is crucial to creating portraits that have depth rather than feeling flat.
Coming to you from Ed Verosky, this practical video explores what backlighting is and breaks down various methods you can use in your portraits. First, Verosky defines backlight simply: it’s placing a light source behind or slightly behind your subject, aimed toward your camera. Doing this produces clear outlines around your subject’s contours and hair, instantly creating separation from the background. By adding depth, you help your subject become more prominent within the frame. Beyond basics, the video takes on several particular methods photographers utilize, beginning with the "halo" effect, a somewhat vintage approach reminiscent of portrait lighting styles from the late 1970s and 1980s. It might have a retro feel, but the effect of halo lighting, especially outdoors using natural sunlight, still manages to add something airy and appealing to portraits.
Continuing, Verosky clarifies the difference between halo lighting and a more traditional hair light. While you might initially think they're similar because both involve lighting around hair, he points out hair lighting often aims for subtlety rather than clearly defined halo shapes. Hair lights usually sit above or slightly off to one side of your subject, adding subtle highlights rather than an overt glow. Then he dives into "rim" or "kicker" lighting—another backlight approach that highlights the edges of bodies and contours rather than just hair, shaping figures more distinctly within your image frame. He provides practical lighting diagrams illustrating the setups for these techniques, breaking down equipment placement clearly. Because he pairs each lighting diagram with actual portrait examples, you can easily visualize how you might recreate the same look in your own studio or outdoors.
Verosky also covers creative backlighting uses that many consider mistakes but, when intentional, can add character and originality to portraits. One example is intentionally blown-out highlights or wraparounds, where the intense backlighting overwhelms the edges of your subject. Another is lens flare, created by lights pointed directly into your lens. Many people enjoy lens flare because it feels authentic and artistic, giving portraits energy. Finally, silhouettes happen when backlighting is strong enough—and there’s no front illumination—that your subject darkens into a recognizable outline.
Verosky emphasizes accessibility in his demonstrations, showing that even minimal gear can recreate these backlighting styles with excellent results. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Verosky.
If you would like to continue learning about how to light a portrait, be sure to check out "Illuminating The Face: Lighting for Headshots and Portraits With Peter Hurley!"
