rimlight

Rimlight, or rim lighting, is a photographic and cinematic technique in which a light source positioned behind and to the side of a subject creates a bright outline along the subject's edge. It is a form of backlighting that emphasizes contour and helps separate the subject from the background. Rim lighting tends to produce a narrow, glowing edge rather than full back illumination.

Setup and controls: Place the light just outside the camera frame, often above the subject and at a moderate angle (about 20–60 degrees). The aim is to highlight the edge without washing out the front. The rim's width depends on distance, angle, and subject size; closer, higher, or wider angles yield a broader edge. Use hard light for a sharp rim or soft light for a gentle glow. Modifiers such as snoots or grids constrain spill, and gels color the rim.

Applications: Rim lighting is common in portraits, fashion, and film to separate the subject from the background and add three-dimensional form. It can emphasize hair, shoulders, or the contour of an object in product photography. In black-and-white images, it provides tonal separation with minimal fill.

Variations and considerations: Rim light works best with a complementary key light on the subject's front. Flags or barn doors control spill and lens flare. The strength of the rim should be balanced with exposure; a subtle edge is usually more versatile than an overpowering glow.