Photography tips

Backlight

The sun sets behind the hills over Lake Lucerne

Key tips

  1. Adjust your ISO, such as the ISO 250 used here, to balance image noise and proper exposure in strong backlight.
  2. Pay attention to the deliberate placement of the sun in backlight conditions to emphasize the contrast between the bright horizon and the dark clouds.
  3. Pay close attention to strong contrasts in backlight to accurately capture the reflections on the water surface.

Photographs on this topic

21 photographs with tips

The exact camera settings for each shot are shown below it - a starting point for recreating the look yourself. Click through to a photograph for detailed photography tips on that specific shot, under "Photography tips for this image".

All subjects Landscape Mountains City Architecture Lake Lucerne Pilatus Lucerne Central Switzerland
The Reuss river in Lucerne with the Rathaussteg bridge in the backlight of the setting sun 16 mm · f/22 · 1/100 s · ISO 200 Embankment wall with iron chain and view of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne at sunset 12 mm · f/22 · 1/400 s · ISO 500 Silhouette of the Wasserturm in Lucerne against the low sun with an ornate lantern in the foreground. 45 mm · f/22 · 1/800 s · ISO 500 Silhouette of an ornate lantern and the Water Tower against the sunset in Lucerne 45 mm · f/22 · 1/800 s · ISO 500 Wasserturm and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne with reflection in the water at sunrise 21 mm · f/22 · 1/200 s · ISO 500 Water Tower and Chapel Bridge on Lake Lucerne at sunset with an iron mooring ring in the foreground. 12 mm · f/22 · 1/250 s · ISO 500 Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne in golden backlight with pedestrian and iron ring in the foreground 14 mm · f/22 · 1/200 s · ISO 500 Silhouette of the sculpture on the dome of Lucerne station against the sun 45 mm · f/22 · 1/80 s · ISO 200 Backlit view of the sculpture on the dome of Lucerne railway station with overhead wires in the foreground 45 mm · f/22 · 1/160 s · ISO 200 Silhouette of the Chapel Bridge and Water Tower in Lucerne backlit with a view of Mount Pilatus 16 mm · f/22 · 1/80 s · ISO 200 Silhouette of the Water Tower and Chapel Bridge in Lucerne against the setting sun 12 mm · f/22 · 1/160 s · ISO 200 Silhouette of the Wasserturm in Lucerne against the sun 45 mm · f/22 · 1/80 s · ISO 400 The Jesuit Church in Lucerne on the Reuss river against the backlight of a low sun. 12 mm · f/22 · 1/30 s · ISO 100 An old tree in front of a section of the Musegg wall in Lucerne photographed against the sun 30 mm · f/22 · 1/80 s · ISO 160 People and a cyclist in a narrow alley in Lucerne Old Town with backlighting. 20 mm · f/25 · 1/80 s · ISO 320 The Jesuit Church in Lucerne illuminated by the low sun with pedestrians walking on the square in front. 30 mm · f/25 · 1/80 s · ISO 125 View through two vertical pillars onto a pier at Lake Lucerne in backlight. 30 mm · f/32 · 1/80 s · ISO 400 Water Tower of the Chapel Bridge in Lucerne against the sun 15 mm · f/22 · 1/1 s · ISO 800 The Chapel Bridge in Lucerne is reflected in a crystal ball. 33 mm · f/20 · 2.5 s · ISO 400 View through the wooden roof structure of the Chapel Bridge across the Reuss river in Lucerne with sunlight 15 mm · f/18 · 1/60 s · ISO 400 Low angle view of an old defensive tower of the Musegg Wall in Lucerne with strong backlight 15 mm · f/18 · 1/160 s · ISO 400

Related topics

  • Landscape
  • Mountains
  • City
  • Architecture
  • Light
  • Camera settings
  • Composition
  • Perspective
  • Lake Lucerne
  • Pilatus
  • Lucerne
  • Central Switzerland
  • Sunset
  • Evening light
  • Snow
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