Photographers call it many things – contra-jour, backlighting, shooting the short light. The phrases vary, but the drama remains the same. Outdoors or in, the natural tendency for photographers is to keep the main light source over their own shoulders, so whatever they point the camera towards is evenly illuminated. But being brave and reversing the angle can pay dividends, as is the case with this image of Emirati comedian Sheida Ibrahim by staff photographer Jeffrey Biteng. The sharp edge of light and hints of a theatre background create a rather classic cabaret theatre aesthetic.
* Brian Kerrigan, photo editor