Backlight
Definition
A Backlight (also called a "hair light," "rim light," or "kicker") is a light source positioned behind and above the subject, pointing toward the camera. Its primary purpose is to create a rim of light around the edges of the subject — particularly around the hair and shoulders — which separates the subject from the background and gives them a three-dimensional quality. Without a backlight, subjects can appear flat and merged with the background. The backlight is one of the three key elements of the classic "three-point lighting" setup, along with the key light and the fill light.
Contextual Usage
The DP reviews the monitor and tells the gaffer, "The subject is getting lost against the dark background. Can we add a backlight — maybe a small tungsten source from behind and slightly above? I want just enough of a rim to separate them from the background without making it look artificial."
About this section
Production — or "principal photography" — is the phase in which the film or video is actually shot. It is the most visible and, typically, the most expensive phase of the entire process. Every day on ...
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