How to Capture Backlit Landscapes

One of the techniques that took my photography to the next level was understanding how the direction of light in a scenes affects how the main subject was lit. Recognizing certain types of light and how that impacts a scene is important to the success of a photographer.

Scenes can be lit three different ways: back light, side light, and front light. Today I want to explain how to shoot and process backlit images.

Backlight can product incredibly images, but the dynamic range in these images can be very difficult to capture as the dynamic range typically extends beyond what the camera can capture in a single exposure. Exposing for the sun results in a foreground that is too dark, but exposing for the foreground results in a blown out sky.

Bracketing your exposure will help manage these backlit scenes. I take two exposures, one with an optimal exposure for the foreground, and one with an optimal exposure for the sky. Once I have captured these images, I blend them together in post-processing. The result is a realistic image that retains all details.

Next time you go out to capture a backlit scene, try experimenting with bracketing to preserve the highlights and shadows in your scene.

I hope this technique is helpful next time you go into the field. Feel free to message me if you have any questions, and sign up for my list so you’ll know when my next article is released.