More than once and twice I have commented on the blog that the best time for photography is during sunrise and sunset and that it is something that many professional photographers agree on. This is so, but up to a point. The light at these times is very similar to the diffuse light that is usually sought in a studio. However, the same effect is not always sought, you may be looking for a hard light to achieve a very specific type of image and in that case your ideal moment will be midday, or perhaps you want to take night photography, for example. For this reason, throughout today’s article I am going to tell you what type of photographs you can take at what time, or what is the same, what time is best to achieve the image you are looking for. Because there is no perfect moment for photography, there is the perfect moment for YOUR Photography.
1) Before sunrise
The very moment before the sun peeks over the horizon and the sky begins to lighten is known as the blue hour. It also occurs just after the sun sets at sunset. This is the perfect time to take those photos of cities in which the sky shows the warm tones on the horizon and these are fading as they give way to the increasingly dark cold blue where artificial lights also take on a great role. And since a picture is worth a thousand words (and I’m not saying this alone), I’ll leave you with one that expresses much better what I want to tell you.
2) Sunrise
If the saying already says it: “God helps those who get up early” (today I feel like a proverb). And in this matter of photography it is a “true” truth. As much as you like to sleep and that the sheets hold you as if you were their prisoner, you should know that sunrise is an ideal moment for various types of photographs, its conditions are very similar to those of sunset, although with small differences. The images you can take during sunrise are the following:
macro photography
Dawn offers very suitable light conditions for macro photography, since it is a diffuse light that surrounds the center of interest of your photograph and illuminates it evenly, causing a very pleasing effect on the eye. But this is not the only reason why the sunrise is ideal for this type of image, there is more. At that time there is no wind, so you take away the problem of the air ruining your photography. In macro, sharpness is really important and a little bit of air for a tiny thing is like a strong wind for a bigger element, which means that it can move your little animal or your flower and annoy the result. In addition, the little animals are still stretching themselves, they are still very calm and it will be easier for you to photograph them. If we talk about flowers, you will catch them with the attractive dew of the night.
Scenery
The color and softness of the light at sunrise (as well as at sunset), make dawn an ideal time to capture attractive landscapes, since the excessive light of a very strong sun causes contrasts that spoil the photograph and make it much less pleasant. to the eye
Long exposition
A very common mistake when one starts in photography is trying to achieve long exposure images with a lot of light. Wanting to achieve the silky effect of water at noon with the bright sun will only make your photograph burnt or, what is the same, overexposed. For this reason, the first and last hours of the day are much more suitable, since the light is softer and still not as bright, so you can have the shutter open longer without the danger of overexposure.
silhouettes
Do you want to photograph a silhouette? This (or sunset) is the ideal time. You can understand why and how to do them step by step in this link.
3) Noon
At noon, or in the central hours of the day, the light is much brighter, harder. This causes a much more marked and evident transition between lights and shadows. This light may seem inadequate for photography, but nothing is further from the truth, it depends on what type of image you want to achieve, because if what you are looking for is precisely high contrasts, highlighting textures or color, this is your ideal time. . Here are some examples of photos you can take:
portraits with force
It is not the ideal light for all kinds of portraits, but it is for a more dramatic portrait in which what you want to convey is strength, aggressiveness, coarseness… we are going the opposite of a tender and sweet portrait 😉 This light creates more defined shadows on the face, as you can see in these two example images.
high contrast photos
High contrast photos are those in which there is a large difference between the highlights and shadows. In these images the textures stand out a lot and are ideal for black and white. I leave you two examples, in color and in black and white and if you like them, you can read how to capture photographs with high light contrast.
infrared photography
For infrared photography you need sun, you cannot help yourself with artificial light because it is useless, that is why the central hours of the day are ideal with the king of stars as your ally. If you have never done this type of photography, do not miss how to take your first infrared photography.
Water
Now that the good weather is approaching and that summer is just around the corner (at least in the northern hemisphere), you may want to photograph the sea water. Well, take advantage of the noon hours to photograph underwater or the sea itself, as this light favors you and you will also need it for images in the water, as it is a darker medium.
4) Sunset
Scenery
I don’t need to tell you this, I’m sure you already know it 😉
cities
In addition to the typical sunset landscape photographs that you already know are wonderful, you can portray your own city by dyeing it gold. Here you have a lot of ideas.
couple photographs
That the sunset is a very romantic moment, we know it very well, besides, you may have noticed that in all the movies they remind us of it 😉 That’s why the golden hour is a perfect moment to add romanticism to a couple image, from this Fran Russo knows a lot here you have one of his wonderful sessions as an example.
5) Dusk
The sun has already set but it is not yet dark? You have a few minutes to capture images like this.
6) Night
Photography needs light, it is true, but… who said that there is no light at night? The moon, the stars or the lights of the cities are waiting for you. Here is a guide to get started in night photography.
Having seen what I have seen (or better said: read what I have read) I think you no longer have any excuses to go out to take photos… any time is good if you know what you can get 😉 If you liked these photos, don’t just stare at them, look for your camera and go hunt your own, photography is learned by shooting 😉
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