contre-jour

[ kon-truh-zhoor; French kawntruh-zhoor ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

(of a photograph) taken with the camera pointed more or less in the direction of the principal light source or with the strongest light behind the subject.

contre-jour

/ ˈkɒntrəˌʒʊə /

photog
1. the technique of taking photographs into the light, with the light source behind the subject
2. ( as modifier )
  a contre-jour shot

1920–25; < French, equivalent to contre counter- + jour daylight, day; journey

C20: from French, literally: against day(light)

But before you attempt the human figure in the open air, you will find it very good study to work in the house contre jour.

Look at Millet's "Shepherdess Spinning," at the head of this chapter, as an example of contre jour.

The effect of a figure out-doors has many of the qualities of contre jour.

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