Commonly described by the French phrase "Contre Jour" against the light. This is one of the most dramatic of all lighting effects. The sun shining on wet leaves seen from the front can not compete with the brilliance of colour produced when seen from the opposite side, against the light, where their translucence adds a luminosity which, because it is usually emphasised by a dark background is all the more powerful.
Backlighting highlights edges and is quite blinding in wet weather when it
silvers all the wet surfaces as well as picking out silvery leaves as they sway
and sparkle. This technique has to be used with extreme care.