B&W Challenge No. 42 - Backlighting

[alexr]

A happy new year to all forum members. Wherever you are around the world I hope that this is marks some form of recovery from the problems of 2020, and that you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.
Thank you for all of the great contribtuions and examples for the last couple of Challenges. This one might be a bit of a struggle, but I am endlessly astonished at the inventiveness and skill of you all, so I know I am going to be pleasantly surprised. For this challenge I would like to see subjects that are primarily lit from behind, or from one side, because one thing that I think always comes out beautifully in black and white images is a bit of rim lighting.
I hope that makes sense; and as always I look forward to what you come up with.

[pontiac1940]

Thank you, alexr.
Well this did not turn out as well I had planned. This is a hyacinth in a vase (made by our son). It was photographed in the dark with two flashlights placed behind, one pointing at the vase and the other pointed up at the flowers. Had to clean up some wayward gray patches in the background and clean up the vase a bit. I dunno ... sort of looks contrived, which of course it is.     

[fotofrank]

Thanks for keeping this going Alexr,

Ornamental Grass

[tonyw]

Good choice of subject especially as I'd taken a few last week of trees in winter with the sun behind a cloud behind the trees. Here's an example converted in Lightroom using the B&W 7 profile slightly modified.



Tony

[tonyw]

And one more - a backlit teasel (and a few spider webs)



Tony

[pontiac1940]

A few from today and one scenic from 2019. 

The amaryllis is coming along ... will be in full bloom in 2 or 3 days. 


Cattail in the park


Another hyacinth


Poplar leaves 


This was taken in 2019 and I've posted it at PSEM before ... backlit sunset showers. 

[hmca]

I don't take many backlit photos. I did remember this image taken in the Fall of this year. Hopefully I will get out to take something for this challenge before the end of the month.
Edited in LR with a preset from David duChemin.

[Peterj]

Back lighting is a great challenge ... this was not originally a B&W, but it turned out pretty nice

[ritage]

Diana at the Huntington Library Park in San Marino, CA

I took this shot several years ago and used Photoshop and Topaz for conversion to black and white.

[srmoment]

Here's my attempt. I converted my color version of this young dog on ice to black and white and emphasized the lighting that was already there.

[alexr]

Thank you all for sharing your images, and wow you haven’t disappointed with your quality. Some immediate thoughts that spring to mind on looking at the selection so far.
pontiac1940 You say it didn’t come out as planned; well I can’t imagine what was in your mind because it has come out excellently. I love how the black background makes it hang in the air, the vase and roots glow, and then the starbursts are the icing on the cake. And your subsequent post shows wonderful variety including how it can be wide landscapes not just close subjects.
fotofrank The lighting makes those grasses luminous, and then the trailing leaf fills the frame with interest. Stunning.
tonyw Much as I like the silhouetted tree and great sky, I just love the teasel with its artfully placed webs and sufficiently lit for the detail on the front.
hmca Great example of the starburst coming through, and a really strong vignette to centre the image.
Peterj A perfectly placed light source and great detail to still be able to pick out the cactus prickles.
ritage I love how you’ve positioned the dark pillars amidst the lighter columns and framed Diana with her bow.
srmoment Great image which works really effectively as it retains the sense of fun that the dog is having and we share.

[tonyw]

Here's one that I took back in the fall - and took it for the colour - see here for the original version,  But it was backlit so I thought I'd see what it looked like without the colour which is what attracted me to the scene in the first place.  See what you think - conversion done in Lightroom and Silver Efex2.



Tony

[hmca]

I like them both....two different feelings. If I were to choose on to frame I'd probably go with the B/W.....but that's just my bias showing I think.

[billz]

Thanks for the theme Alex. I needed to wait a few days for the sun to show its face, but I got my break today.



BW conversion and a few edits in ACR.

[pontiac1940]

Amaryllis flower  ....