The first chapter of this series, we discussed the way to use a backlight to create drama.
In this chapter we will go one step further, and include the light source within some of the frames, and we will see that the results are not so bad.
For many years it was well accepted in the photography world that the light source should always be behind us when shooting a picture. The reasoning, which was quite simple, was derived mainly from the quality of optics in those days: the optics level was simple, the lenses were constructed with three or four elements, and the process of lens coating was just commencing.
Any picture taken while facing a light source would ensure very poor contrast. Difficult artifacts would prevent the ability to differentiate detail, create flare and other assorted trouble.
After many years this myth was broken. It is all right to shoot into a light source, it is OK to create flare in the picture, and at times it even contributes to the picture's atmosphere, and it is OK to have reduced contrast.
The backlight, as we discussed in the first chapter, can highlight the contours of the photographed object, it can emphasize its transparency, can extricate the fine details half transparent in the picture, and so on.
A backlight in the picture can create a drama in the picture. It is OK to lose some of the details to the dark – the important thing is the impact the picture makes on the observer – much more than every tiny detail.
A strong light in front, cleverly used, can easily emphasize what we want to pass on.
When facing a scene that includes a strong light in front, the preciseness of the exposure is very important. We should measure the light at the point which we desire to be of medium darkness. A spot measurement can be very helpful here, but other measuring methods as well as the use of a histogram can be all right too.
Different elements can be combined in the picture – some lighted with the backlight, others from different light sources. Combining different light sources creates a pleasant visual effect – and this is what we wanted in the first place.
To demonstrate this point – here is an example taken with a backlight in the background, nevertheless some of the details remained and added to the general atmosphere. This picture was taken in the morning at the lake. The sunrise backlight inflamed the tops of the bushes with a warm hue, and created the shadowing of the cranes:

Model: E8400 Exposure Time: 1/313sec F Number: 4.9 Max Aperture Value: 2.8 Focal Length: 21.6mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 50 Metering Mode: Partial White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire, auto mode Focal Length In 35mm Film: 85 Date Taken: 2006:12:01 08:16:40 Color Space: sRGB

For the next example (at the same location) I used light reflections from the water canal to create a guiding line leading to the horizon. The exposure was very precise – so as to keep the general dark shades which govern the picture and emphasize the morning atmosphere:

Model: NIKON D200 Exposure Time: 1/2000sec F Number: 6.3 Max Aperture Value: 3 Focal Length: 17mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 125 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 25 Date Taken: 2006:04:28 07:11:27 Color Space: sRGB

In the next example of a fire in my neighborhood, I used two light sources. One in front – to create an implied connection between the houses in the background and the darkness of the fire area and the second source was the light rays penetrating through the smoke. One click provides us with the entire story and location:

Model: NIKON D200 Exposure Time: 1/1000sec F Number: 5 Max Aperture Value: 4.7 Focal Length: 75mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 100 Metering Mode: Pattern White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 112 Date Taken: 2006:08:03 17:19:57 Color Space: sRGB

And who ever said that details are important? Evening in the heart of the city, with shades of sundown, the ball flying in the air between the children playing, and the paving stones connect the observer to the action in the picture:

Model: NIKON D200 Exposure Time: 1/320sec F Number: 7.1 Max Aperture Value: 4.2 Focal Length: 36mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 160 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 54 Date Taken: 2006:08:07 18:44:34 Color Space: sRGB

The sun creating sundown colors, rocks in gold and although included in the frame, the sun helps to create the magical atmosphere on the beach:

Model: NIKON D200 Exposure Time: 1/350sec F Number: 7.1 Max Aperture Value: 4 Focal Length: 12mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 160 Metering Mode: Pattern White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 18 Date Taken: 2006:08:07 18:50:19 Color Space: sRGB

And does the bright light in the background really disturb us from seeing the spider webs on the last leaf?

Model: NIKON D200 Exposure Time: 1/60sec F Number: 5.3 Max Aperture Value: 4.8 Focal Length: 135mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 125 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 202 Date Taken: 2006:11:25 12:42:52 Color Space: sRGB

Does the lack of details of the crying crane disturb us?

Model: NIKON D200 Exposure Time: 1/2500sec F Number: 5.6 Max Aperture Value: 5 Focal Length: 700mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 125 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 1050 Date Taken: 2006:12:01 09:16:42 Color Space: sRGB

An additional example showing multiple backlight sources – they just compliment the pastoral morning atmosphere:

Model: NIKON D200 Exposure Time: 1/400sec F Number: 5.6 Max Aperture Value: 5 Focal Length: 700mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 125 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 1050 Date Taken: 2006:12:01 09:47:31 Color Space: sRGB

How dead would this picture be without the sun in the frame:

Model: NIKON D2X Exposure Time: 1/3000sec F Number: 7.1 Max Aperture Value: 3 Focal Length: 10.5mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 125 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 15 Date Taken: 2005:08:11 16:35:48 Color Space: sRGB

A grandfather and his grandson facing the glittering sea at sundown – does the lack of details in these images really prevent us from feeling the atmosphere? Only the strong backlight makes this picture what it is:

Model: NIKON D2X Exposure Time: 1/8000sec F Number: 7.1 Max Aperture Value: 5 Focal Length: 400mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 125 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 600 Date Taken: 2005:08:12 17:06:27 Color Space: sRGB

It is also OK to withstand the flare. In this picture it seems like the sun dripping into the water:

Model: NIKON D2X Exposure Time: 1/5000sec F Number: 9 Max Aperture Value: 3 Focal Length: 70mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 ISO Speed Ratings: 125 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 105 Date Taken: 2005:08:12 18:11:25 Color Space: sRGB

A strong colorful light combined with motion:

Model: NIKON D2X Exposure Time: 1/3sec F Number: 4.5 Max Aperture Value: 3 Focal Length: 55mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Auto white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 82 Date Taken: 2005:11:29 23:44:31 Color Space: sRGB

The sun which reflects in a light reflecting element, creates two light sources that compliment this girl's contour:

Color Space: 65535

I went a step further in this last example. The subject is not the dry fennel plant at sundown, but the spider webs that are out of focus. Are they hard to recognize being out of focus? The fennel seems to be pulling the webs:

Model: NIKON D100 Exposure Time: 1/640sec F Number: 2.8 Max Aperture Value: 3 Focal Length: 55mm Exposure Program: Aperture priority Exposure Bias Value: 0 Metering Mode: Center Weighted Average White Balance: Manual white balance Flash: Flash did not fire Focal Length In 35mm Film: 82 Date Taken: 2004:12:16 16:34:34 Color Space: sRGB

In conclusion, after getting familiar with our tools we can use light more efficiently – whether it faces us or comes from behind, directly or by reflection – to exactly pass on our message in the picture we take!