Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) Practice Exam

Rim lighting creates a bright effect around the edges of the subject known as what?

1. Halo

2. Center Light

3. Outline

4. Backlight

The correct answer is: Outline

Rim lighting is a technique that creates a distinct separation between the subject and its background by illuminating the edges. This bright effect around the edges is indeed referred to as an outline, which enhances the subject's shape and adds depth to the image. The technique typically involves placing a light source behind the subject at an angle, allowing the light to graze the edges, thus producing a glowing outline. The other terms provided have different meanings in the context of lighting. "Halo" usually refers to a circular glow around a light source or object, which might not accurately describe the controlled effect of rim lighting. "Center light" emphasizes the illumination of the subject's central area, not the edges, which are the focus of rim lighting. "Backlight" generally describes a light source positioned directly behind the subject, but it doesn't specifically refer to the effect seen around the edges, which is more precisely denoted as an outline in this context.