Exposure compensation
For other examples:
Alkan Hassan p. 21
Backlight is seductive and beautiful. But like many things seductive and beautiful, it has to be handled with care.
This poignant photograph by Jo Metson Scott shows a young ballerina taking a break from the rigours of practice at the National Youth Ballet. Pictured sitting on her own, deep in thought, she inspires empathy in anyone familiar with the pressures of performance. And it’s that strong, overexposed daylight flooding in through the open window that seems to symbolize an escape for the girl and the choice between giving up and battling on.
Adding to the pull of this image is the fact that we can also see the young girl’s face and her preoccupied expression. When shooting a backlit subject (someone in front of a window is a common example) they often become silhouetted and all facial detail is lost. This is because the light inside is much darker relative to the light outside.
To draw out detail in the shadows, use ‘Exposure Compensation’ and scroll towards the +.
By doing this you’ll make your whole image brighter. This means the highlights might well blow out, but don’t worry too much about this, as long as you can see the detail in your subject.
The precise amount to increase your exposure compensation by all depends on the specific lighting conditions. So the best way to get a feel for this is to grab your camera and give it a go yourself.
Laura Veazey in her Fox Costume, National Youth Ballet
Jo Metson Scott
2010