Final answer:
Silhouette lighting is characterized by strong contrasts between light and shadow, categorizing it as chiaroscuro. It involves backlighting the subject, resulting in a dark shape against a brighter background, which is a fundamental aspect of chiaroscuro.
Step-by-step explanation:
Silhouette lighting creates a dramatic contrast between light and dark, which falls into the category of chiaroscuro rather than flat lighting. Chiaroscuro is an artistic technique that emphasizes the use of light and shadow to create the illusion of volume and depth in two-dimensional art.
In creating a silhouette, the direction of light is from behind the subject, causing the subject to block the light and appear as a dark shape against a lighter background. This contrast is a hallmark of the chiaroscuro style, which was popularized during the Renaissance period.