Selective highlights ...

Selectively highlighting subjects or elements in the photograph can help in focusing attention to them.

Other techniques to direct attention to various elements in the picture include selective focusing (using depth of field) and using composition techniques like framing, colors, leading lines etc.

The key is to ensure detail in the highlight areas as well as relevant shadow areas. Given the limited exposure latitude, this is a tough challenge. Taking the photo at the right time of the day will ensure adequate exposure to capture details in highlights & shadows.

Backlighting plus selective highlights can bring out the details in leaves and flowers and draw the viewers eye to them.

All photographs with Canon EOS400D and Canon EF 70-200mm F/4 L IS USM Lens.

Backlighting Plants

Backlighting can be used to bring out the details in a leaf, and also to add a "glow" around the edges of objects in a picture. It also helps in separating the subject from its background. I used the evening sunlight to backlight leaves below and capture the intricate details in them as well as add a glow to the spider web and the edges of the leaves and stem.

The backlight exposes the veins in the leaf, and adds a glowing edge to the leaf edges, the sole strand of spider web and also exposes the minuscule strands on the stem with a white glow.

The seed(?) can be seen through the glow on the fine strands that are backlit.

Backlighting generating a highlight on the leaves plus strong geometric composition from the black stem makes this an interesting composition.

All photographs shot using a Canon EOS 400D with Canon EF 70-200mm F/4 L IS USM Lens in the backyard of my house in Trivandrum, Kerala. Shooting wide open at F/4 throws the background out of focus completely and the backlight ensures even better separation of the subject from its background.