So, we often get asked what time of day is best for taking photos. That all depends on what you are looking for and where you are shooting, but for the most part when you are outside shooting on location you want it to be early morning or late afternoon/early evening. The first hour or so just after sunrise and just before sunset produces that gorgeous amber light that some photographers might refer to it as the “sweet light.” It is when the sun is lower in the sky and the light has a beautiful glow about it. Depending on the season the time changes a bit, but for the most part you want to be out there shooting a few hours before and after the sun rises and falls for the day. We LOVE when the spring and summer months come, because we get all that extra daylight time. We can shoot later in to the day, and start a pinch later in the morning;). Sometimes we feel bad asking our clients to wake up early for a photo shoot, but its always worth it in the end!
. sunrise .
. sunset .
. sunset .
We also enjoy overcast days as well, the sky turns into a giant soft box providing a huge soft light to work with. This makes it easier to avoid harsh shadows. It is especially nice when you are photographing people on the beach;).
. overcast .
. overcast .
. overcast .
Just after sunset comes the “blue hour” which is a lovely time of day when the world looks blue. It is a great time for some photos with feeling, and also makes for great portraits as long as you have some lights with you. You can light your subject and let the sky stay that deep blue (or if just before sunset you can still see the deep colors of the sunset and your subject).
. blue hour .
. blue hour .
. blue hour .
But, in the end, we like working with all different lighting situations outside and trying to make them work. The above times are most ideal, but we love a challenge;) Hope this helps, and no, your photographer is not trying to torture you when they ask you to meet them at 8:00am, they are just trying to make your photos beautiful;)
-D+A
Dreamland Images, Inc.
Creative Documentary Wedding Photography
Charleston, SC
dreamlandimages.com
