25 Effective Examples of Rim-Lit Portraiture

We have covered mistakes in using backlighting before, but we never really showed any examples! Well, today we want to rectify that oversight with this collection of 25 effective rim lit portraits. Use them as examples of what can be done and inspiration!

Photp by Ryan Ritchie
Photo by Japrea
Photo by Alex Holzknecht
Photo by Russell Harrison
Photo by Chris Hays
Photo by Ryan Hyde
Photo by Robert Bejil
Photo by Ryan Ritchie
Photo by Andres Rodriguez
Photo by Rashod Taylor
Photo by Michael Miller
Photo by Robert Bejil
Photo by Rashod Taylor
Photo by Alex Holzknecht
Photo by Rashod Taylor
Photo by Hallenser
Photo by Russell Harrison Photography
Photo by Russell Harrison Photography
Photo by Joost Assink
Photo by threephin
Photo by Aurimas
Photo by Gene Tobia
Photo by Christiaan Botha
Photo by Ryan Ritchie
Photo by zaini abdullah

Cheers!

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About Author

Rob is the founder of Light Stalking. His love for photography started as a child with a Kodak Instamatic and pushed him into building this fantastic place all these years later, and you can get to know him better here.
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Camera: Nikon D810
Lenses: Nikkor 14-24 f/2.8, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

I usually like these articles you publish on XX no. of amazing (insert type here) photography

But this time you’ve kinda screwed up
I only count 15 that are rim lit (and thats being a bit generous)
The rest are side lit or use a kick light or simply have nothing to do at all with any form of light that could be called a rim light

Rim lighting is characterised by a bright rim of light around the subject
e.g Photo by Russel Harrison Photography of the seated girl in a striped jumper

But for example the image by Aurimas (5th last) uses a key light from the top right and a kick light from the back left but no rim light

the one earlier by the same Photog of the guy with oranges uses nearly the same lighting setup but again no rim light

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