contre-jour

[ kon-truh-zhoo r; French kawntruh-zhoor ]
/ ˌkɒn trəˈʒʊər; French kɔ̃trəˈʒur /

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.

Origin of contre-jour

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

Words nearby contre-jour

contrate, contravallation, contravene, contravention, contrayerva, contre-jour, contre-partie, contrecoup, contrecoup injury of brain, contredanse, contretemps

British Dictionary definitions for contre-jour

contre-jour
/ (ˈkɒntrəˌʒʊə) /

noun

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

Word Origin for contre-jour

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