Beginners are often told that shooting directly into light can never yield good photographs. But intermediate or advanced photographers can harness the magical qualities of backlighting to create fantastic images. When well executed, backlighting can make your pictures look dramatic and visually impactful.

Photo by Ajay Verma | Fotosocial

Backlighting Subjects
While backlighting can be used to define the boundaries and edges of almost any photography subject, it proves to be more effective on some than others. Leaves, flowers, animals (particularly long haired ones like sheep and dogs), glass bottles, show pieces and ornamental railings are ideal subjects for this kind of photography. Backlighting can also yield a great atmosphere in a landscape image that contains rain, mist or haze.

Read more: The art of creative backlighting

It is always a great feeling to walk away from a shoot with some stunning portraits under your belt. And when those consist of multiple faces, it is even sweeter considering how challenging family portraits can be. Here we share with you some pointers that will help you capture some beautiful family portraits.

Eye contact
In traditional family portraits all the subjects are always looking right into the camera. But to get all eyes and faces looking at you will take patience. And when you think everyone is ready don’t shy away from firing away a dozen shots or using the burst mode to ensure you have at least one frame where everyone is paying attention. However eye contact isn’t the dictum anymore and often shots where the subjects aren’t looking into the camera can be more interesting and involving. So you don’t necessarily have to push your subjects to continuously look at the camera. To spice things up a little, capture them when they are looking in different directions.

Read more: Capturing stunning family portraits

Have you ever heard the phrase 'Eyes are the window to the soul'? It cannot be any truer when it comes to photography. The expressions in the eyes of a subject can make for really strong and captivating images. So here are a few pointers on how to photograph eyes well.

Photo by Jayati Saha | Fotosocial

Read more: How to photograph eyes: The basics