I don't have any links handy, but for some interesting reading look up ship and aircraft camouflage in WWII before radar. The allies did a lot of experimenting because silhouetted against the sky, lighting made a ship/plane LESS visible. Putting lights on booms to light up the broadsides of entire ships was effective but impractical. "Yehudi" lights on the leading edges of aircraft wings proved far more practical and with proper dimming the planes could be made to virtually disappear as they attacked.

Now I'm not saying that all of us ride silhouetted against bright backgrounds, but the background obviously matters. I think the takeaway is to focus on what the viewer sees, thinks, and does. More lights aren't always the answer.