Easy Tips for Backlit Pictures for Beginners! | Canon EOS R7 + RF 35mm f1.8
Vanessa Joy is a wedding photographer and educator helping photographers grow profitable businesses and master their craft.
This guide is for beginner photographers who want to create soft, glowy portraits in natural light without ending up with dark or washed-out images. Whether you’re practicing in a sunny New Jersey park, capturing golden hour in Austin, or shooting clients in New York City, these backlighting tips will help you get professional-looking results with minimal gear.
What Is Backlighting?
Backlighting means your subject is positioned between you and the light source—most often the sun. This creates a beautiful halo effect and glowing skin tones, but it can also cause underexposure or hazy results if not handled carefully.
What You’ll Learn in This Video
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How to position your subject for soft, flattering edge light
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Camera settings that balance exposure and preserve detail
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Using the Canon EOS R7’s features to maintain sharp focus in strong sunlight
Gear I Used for This Tutorial
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Camera: Canon EOS R7
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Lens: Canon RF 35mm f1.8
This lightweight, sharp, and versatile combo is perfect for lifestyle photographers, bloggers, and beginners learning manual shooting.
My Go-To Backlighting Tips
☀️ 1. Use Spot Metering
Expose for your subject’s face instead of the bright background.
🔍 2. Tap to Focus on the Eyes
The EOS R7’s eye-tracking is excellent, but tapping the screen ensures you’re locked onto the right spot.
🌿 3. Use Natural Objects to Diffuse the Sun
Trees, fences, or walls can soften sunlight and reduce harsh flare.
📷 4. Slightly Overexpose
Increase exposure a touch to keep skin tones bright, then fine-tune in editing.
Who Should Try This?
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Beginner photographers learning manual mode
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Lifestyle, family, and portrait shooters looking for a soft, dreamy glow
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Canon EOS R7 or similar mirrorless camera users
Final Thoughts
Backlighting doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right positioning, settings, and awareness of your light source, you can create stunning images that feel warm and magical—without expensive gear.
🎥 Watch the full video here to see the process in real time.
