Photography is all about light—how we shape it, manipulate it, and use it to tell a story. For this image, I wanted to create a dramatic, high-contrast black-and-white silhouette portrait that emphasized shape, texture, and emotion.
The vision
I envisioned a moody, almost ethereal portrait—one that played with highlights and shadows to create a striking silhouette effect. The goal was to sculpt my subject with light, revealing just enough detail to make the image intriguing but still leaving plenty to the imagination.
The setup
To achieve this effect, I used a classic rim lighting technique. The image attached below shows my lighting setup: a softbox positioned directly behind my subject, with black fabric placed over the middle of the softbox. This setup illuminates the edges while keeping the front in shadow, creating a beautiful silhouette and enhancing the shape of the face and body.
Bringing it to life
The magic happened when I positioned the subject in just the right spot so that the rim light kissed her face and shoulders. By slightly adjusting the model’s angle and my camera’s perspective, I was able to shape the highlights exactly how I wanted.
How I got the photo: Camera gear and settings
Why this works
- Silhouettes create mystery. The lack of frontal lighting makes the viewer fill in the blanks, drawing them into the image.
- Rim lighting enhances depth. It sculpts the subject, adding a three-dimensional feel.
- High contrast evokes emotion. The stark blacks and bright whites create drama and intensity.
Final thoughts
This shoot was a fantastic exercise in understanding and controlling light. By using just one softbox and careful positioning, I was able to craft an image that is both simple and powerful.
If you haven’t experimented with rim lighting before, I highly recommend giving it a try! It’s a fantastic way to add drama and intrigue to your portraits. Let me know in the comments—have you played with rim lighting before? What challenges did you face?
Happy shooting!