Editing Contre-jour

{{Short description|Photographic technique}}
{{Redirect|Contre jour|the video game|Contre Jour}}
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| image1    = Contre jour, Queenscliff, jjron, 05.12.2009.jpg
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| alt1      = Contre-jour photograph taken directly into the setting sun resulting in the loss of subject detail and colour
| caption1  = Contre-jour photo taken directly against the setting sun, causing loss of subject detail and colour, and emphasis of shapes and lines. Medium: Colour digital image.
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| alt2      = Contre-jour emphasizes the outline of the man and the tunnel entrance
| caption2  = Contre-jour emphasizes the outline of the man and the tunnel entrance. The ground reflections show the position of the man. Medium: Digital scan from B&W paper print.
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'''Contre-jour''' ({{IPA|fr|kɔ̃tʁə ʒuʁ}}; {{literally|against [[daylight]]}}) is a [[photographic technique]] in which the [[camera]] is pointing directly toward a [[light source|source of light]], as well as an equivalent technique of [[painting]].

==Description==

Before its use in photography, contre-jour was used in painting, where the [[shadow]]s would fall to the left on the left, to the right on the right and forward in the lower centre. The edges of the subject would show surprising colour effects.  

Contre-jour produces [[backlighting (lighting design)|backlighting]] of the subject. This effect usually hides details, causes a stronger [[contrast (vision)|contrast]] between light and dark, creates [[silhouette]]s and emphasizes lines and shapes. The [[sun]], or other light source, is often seen as either a bright spot or as a strong [[glare (vision)|glare]] behind the subject.<ref name=Freeman>{{cite book |last=Freeman |first=Michael |year=2007 |title=The Complete Guide to Light & Lighting in Digital Photography |location=ILEX, London |publisher=Lark Books |pages=74–75 |isbn=978-1-57990-885-0}}</ref> [[Fill light]] may be used to illuminate the side of the subject facing toward the camera. The subject is generally considered silhouetted when there is a [[lighting ratio]] of 16:1 or more.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Colvin |first1=Craig |title=How to Create Powerful Silhouettes by Telling a Story |url=https://digital-photography-school.com/create-powerful-silhouettes-telling-story/ |website=Digital Photography School |access-date=21 January 2020}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Forward scatter]]
* [[High dynamic range]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{commonscatinline}}
*{{Wiktionary-inline}}

{{photography subject}}

[[Category:Photographic techniques]]