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PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
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Photography Tip #3:
The Advantage of Magical Light - Early Morning and Late Afternoon
The Advantage of Magical Light - Early Morning and Late Afternoon
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Shooting outside in the early morning or, better yet, in the late afternoon, will produce warm golden tones on your subject, object or landscape. This can create a delightful effect when draped against an otherwise darker background or sky. One thing to remember about this tried-and-true photographer's trick is that the color is created by way of the sun being low in the sky and filtering through more atmospheric gases, humidity and dust than when it is fully risen. All of that stuff in the atmosphere makes the blue wavelengths (blue light) scatter more than the longer red wavelengths. The result is that beautiful red-to-golden hue that humans are drawn to in sunrises and sunsets.
Now that we know a bit of the science behind it, we can put it to practice in our pursuit of photography. First of all, make sure that you use the filtered sunlight as the illuminator. If you must shoot some amazing photos of the sunrise or sunset, go ahead and be creative, but at some point turn around and become aware of what that warmly colored sun is doing to objects, buildings, landscapes, trees and people behind you. You may be amazed at how stunning these things can look when they are lit by these warm tones in front of a darker sky. Brilliant! Take a look at the warm tones in these sunrises and sunsets. Spectacular, yes, but imagine what they are illuminating and how that warm hue may transform a subject or object that is facing this warm-toned sunlight into something that is quite different from its usual appearance. |
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The interesting tones of the rising or setting sun may make what's on the other side look amazing.
One of our staff photographers shot this in Islamorada, the Florida Keys, a few years ago during a steamy summer sunset. The long drive down the seemingly never-ending Overseas Highway (US 1) keeps teasing with new vistas of turquoise sea, crab pots stacked as high as a house, funky 1950's style-beach life and unique Key West architecture; all things that pique a true photographer's interest.
When the sun began its descent, the cameras came out in full force. While the rest of the shutterbugs were looking toward the west side of this tiny spit of an island, snapping away at yet another spectacular sunset, I decided to see what the east side held in store. Although the sky I was facing did not tantalize with the pumped-up reds, oranges and yellows that were delighting the crowd on the other side, what I did see and capture was equally gripping. The calm ocean that is usually turquoise during the day had completely transformed into something that looked rather surreal. With an ever-darkening sky, the golden rays seemed to reach through the water to illuminate the fine silt of the ocean bed. Moral of the story? If you're mesmerized by a sunset or sunrise, look behind you.
When the sun began its descent, the cameras came out in full force. While the rest of the shutterbugs were looking toward the west side of this tiny spit of an island, snapping away at yet another spectacular sunset, I decided to see what the east side held in store. Although the sky I was facing did not tantalize with the pumped-up reds, oranges and yellows that were delighting the crowd on the other side, what I did see and capture was equally gripping. The calm ocean that is usually turquoise during the day had completely transformed into something that looked rather surreal. With an ever-darkening sky, the golden rays seemed to reach through the water to illuminate the fine silt of the ocean bed. Moral of the story? If you're mesmerized by a sunset or sunrise, look behind you.
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In addition to composing spectacular images of skyscapes during the early morning or late afternoon as shown above, you should also consider using the warm and magical quality of this light to provide for very interesting and attractive people photos! Take a look at how this type of light can impact the skin tone and softness of the images to the right! the warm gold and red tones are quite desirable; particularly when married with apparel of a similar color set, as shown in this portrait to the right. For a photo that "pops", color contrast is also heightened, as the warm gold and red tones contrast pleasingly against the bluish water and sky on the other side of the sunset. Why not try this on your own? Set-out with your camera and subject on a clear day just about an hour before the sun sets and see what kind of visual magic you can create! |
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OK, but what about shooting a portrait in front of the sunrise or sunset?
If you want to take a shot of a subject in front of a sunset, understand that the orange or golden hue will not illuminate anything facing your lens that is positioned between the lens and the sun itself. That's why using a sunset as a backdrop to a portrait usually results in the subject's face appearing far too dark without additional lighting.
Alternatively, if you use a flash, your subject may appear unnatural or out of place, because the flash emits a hue which has far more blue than the reddish warm-toned sunset. Using a forced flash to illuminate your subject in front of a sunset can result in an interesting and even attractive portrait, but the facial tone usually does not match the color of the sun on the horizon.
If you want to take a shot of a subject in front of a sunset, understand that the orange or golden hue will not illuminate anything facing your lens that is positioned between the lens and the sun itself. That's why using a sunset as a backdrop to a portrait usually results in the subject's face appearing far too dark without additional lighting.
Alternatively, if you use a flash, your subject may appear unnatural or out of place, because the flash emits a hue which has far more blue than the reddish warm-toned sunset. Using a forced flash to illuminate your subject in front of a sunset can result in an interesting and even attractive portrait, but the facial tone usually does not match the color of the sun on the horizon.
An Easy and Affordable Solution?
Use what professional photographers use! A portable, fold-up/pop-out gold colored reflector does a quick, easy and tremendously effective job of bouncing the warm-toned light back upon your subject.
FreePhotoCourse.com highly recommends a portable reflector set, such as the one shown to the left, or an even smaller one that you can handle without a boom/tripod. They can be sourced from eBay or Amazon (or virtually any decent camera shop) and they are very effective in these situations. The reflector often comes with interchangeable color panels, so you can use it in a variety of indoor and outdoor shooting locations, and at different times of the day. Some come with a stand, so you don't need an assistant to hold it for you. Use one of these and you'll be shooting like a pro...and if you are doing paid photo sessions, your clients will have far more confidence in you as a professional photographer....You'll not only play the part, but you'll look it too!
If you are interested in photographing spectacular sunsets, read this article in our "How To" section.
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