The best time for outside photography is the time when the atmosphere is in its best mode. This time can be identified as the Golden Hours and Blue Hours.
These two times are the best hours for outside photography. The golden hours are the time just after sunrise during the morning and the time before sunset in the evening. The blue hours are the time before sunrise and after sunset. During these two times, the sun produces a soft light. And the weather becomes cooler giving eye-soothing vibes to your photos.
Golden Hour Photography
Golden hour is ideal for taking perfect warm glossy shots. As, that time the sun stops producing harsh light, you will get more details with dramatic vibes in your pictures. At this time the lower angle of the sun’s shadow and warm light help you to create a deep portrait in your photos.
Here are some tips to capture perfectly during the golden hour
Use the Right Time
To use the golden hours properly check for the exact timing in your location from relevant apps and websites. And be prepared before starting the golden hour. Check your camera, lens, and other equipment and set them.
Experiment With Different Angles
Try to shoot in different angles of shadows. So that you can identify the best angle, you can take shots by keeping the subjects directly in sunlight. Or you can keep your subject behind the sun to get darker shadows.
Use Different Camera Modes
Make sure you use a camera mode similar to your environment. Different kinds of cameras offer different modes, reflections, and effects based on the environment.
Blue Hour Photography
Blue hour photography usually occurs when the sun is under the horizon, and the sky is inflamed. At this time you will get cool effects in your images. Also, blue-hour photoshoots increase the details of the subject you are capturing. And as a result, your images will get filmy effects.
Below are some tips you can consider for blue-hour photography
Come up with a Plan: Before starting your blue hour photography session, create a to-do list to ensure you’re fully prepared. First, choose your camera equipment. Then go to your location before starting the blue hour. Blue hour normally stays for a short time and you have to prepare to capture quickly.
Use Tripods/Monopods
As the blue hours is a very short time, A tripod can help you to capture multiple shots shortly. And in this time due to the lack of light, long exposure is needed to get proper details. And for a clear long exposure, you need a tripod.
Consider Artificial Light
Try to use dim light or roadside lamp light in blue hour photography. The combination of this artificial light and low blue hour light will give you some dynamic and aesthetic images.
Sunrise and Sunset Photography
Sunrise and sunset time, both offer versatile and unique modes for photography in different ways. Both times have different types of benefits. And you can select the time based on your requirements for photography.
Sunrise Photography
During sunrise photography, you will get multiple benefits. Such as you will have the golden hour and soft light to capture eye-soothing images. The morning temperature is normally cool, so your images will have cool tones. And this time is not crowded, perfect for peaceful photography.
In the morning there a multiple colors displayed in the sky that add extra beauty to your images. Go to your selected location for photography early as soon as possible.
Sunset Photography
In the evening you will have soft, warm golden shades on the outside. The light and shadows during sunsets improve the color quality of your images. In this time sky has multiple color effects that add dramatic effects with proper details. You can consider the golden hour before sunset colorful, clear aesthetic photos. Or use the blue hour to get darker effects in your images.
Later, use filters that go well with sunset photos and you can edit further with Adobe Lightroom for perfect outlook.
Midday Photography
Midday photography happens between 11 AM to 2 PM of the day. At that time the sun produces a high temperature and the weather becomes warmer than morning. Due to the strong light and harsh temperature, professional photographers normally avoid this time.
However, if you know the right tricks you can still have some extraordinary shots during midday. Here are some tips:
Use Reflectors
In the middle of the day there is a possibility of not getting proper details due to harsh light. Make sure you are using the reflector to minimize the harsh light and make the shadows soft.
Try Different Position
To get the best angle, try different positions. In different positions, you will get different kinds of light reflection. After that select the lower reflection angle.
Customize your Camera setting
Midday photography is challenging due to the harsh weather conditions. Whatever, customize your camera settings, adjust autofocus, exposure, and white balance.
Photography During Different Kinds of Days
Cloudy Days
Cloudy days are the best for taking portrait shots. In these times clouds help to minimize the harsh shadow of the sun and give a natural glow in the images. Consider taking shots in shadows where soft light is more visible. It will give exact details of the subjects. As the clouds cover the direct sunlight the photo will have an even tone and perfect exposure without edit.
Remember some things during cloudy days photography such as color balance and saturation level. Because of cloudy weather, the natural color of the subject can be faded in the images. Adjust the saturation level for proper color combination.
Rainy Days
Rainy days are normally considered as romantic weather, and perfect for some aesthetic shoots. Like cloudy days, rainy days don’t have harsh light or shadows. This can add some unique mood and texture to your images. The best opportunity for rainy day photography is that it can add some sad vibes or dramatic tone. As the weather on rainy days is moist, it gives wonderful saturation. But be careful during a rainy day photography as there is a chance to get wet your camera.
Try to capture the raindrops, or other wet flowers closely or you can zoom them to define rainy weather perfectly.
Rainbow Time
During the rainbow, the sky becomes more colorful and these multiple color shades just work like magic on your images. The vast color of the rainbow exists very short time. You need to be quick to capture the moment. You can use a wide-angle lens to capture the whole rainbow.
Special Conditions
During all types of weather modes there are some special conditions. Like, as sudden snowfall, unique evening light, or dramatic effects of morning time. This kind of weather condition can add unique effects and you will get some dynamic memories. But make a priority of your safety first. To capture the snow or any light effectively apply different kinds of shutter speed.
Fog and Mist
Fog and mist are normally seen during long rainy days and wintertime. And this time natural color can’t be captured accurately. But you will get a soft mysterious mood that will add deep feeling to the images. You need to focus manually as autofocus can’t perform perfectly in a foggy atmosphere.
Soft, ethereal lighting: Soft, ethereal light refers to the light that is gentle and soft. This type of lighting is appropriate for dreamy aesthetic vibes and gentle highlights in your images. In the golden hour, you will get this kind of lighting and can capture blemish and wrinkle-free portraits.
Techniques for Capturing Mood and Depth
You need to apply multiple techniques to capture mood and depth. It can raise the 3D outlook in your images. Below are some suggestions to consider:
Capturing Mood
Lighting
To get a bright colorful images with charming moods use bright lighting. And if you want to get a gloomy and dramatic vibe in the photo with a deep shadow, try to use lower dim light. And for getting a natural glow with a soft tone in your photos use the golden hour. If you want to get a dark theme or halo effect, keep the light behind your subjects.
Subject Selection
Choose your subject wisely, so that it will have a strong effect on viewers’ minds. For example, if you do photography during the winter season, focus on the foggy and moist weather. Also, pay attention to the activities of random people during the winter season and capture them.
Weather Condition
For different types of images you have to use a different kind of weather and atmosphere. For deep aesthetic vibes use a foggy atmosphere. And to get dramatic vibes rain and snow time is the perfect time for photoshoots.
Color Consideration
For warm-tone images use the brighter color, like red, yellow, and orange shades. And to get a cool tone use the eye soothing colors like blue and green. Later you can adjust the color or the subject’s skin tone in Photoshop for improving the quality of images one level more.
Structure
For an eye-catching structure of an image set the major subject in the center of the frame. And balance the subject with surrounding objects. Or you can set your subject at the corner for wide-angle shots. It will give you a full view of the other subject that you are focusing on.
Depth
To add depth you need to consider some matter. Such as the Right Perspective, Light and Shadow, Aperture, Layering, Foreground objects, etc.
Right Perspective
Experiment from multiple angles during your shoots. And try to shoot from a high point or lower angle to make the image more eye catchy. Use the natural fog to get more depth.
Light and Shadow
To visualize and add depth use light that is coming from an angle. It will give the photo a 3D effect. You can increase the contrast level between light and dark areas to give your image more 3D model.
Aperture
To add a deep depth try to use a narrow aperture and focus every object. Further, use a wide aperture to blur the background, it will add extra depth.
Layering
Apply multiple layers to add a 3D image feel. Capture your image with individual foreground, and background. And position the subject with them in such a way that it seems to overlap slightly.
Foreground objects
For creating a depth mode add your objects in the foreground. Like, you can set a flower in a landscape shot. After that focus on the main subject that you capturing, and blur the background. It will add a sense of depth to your subject.
Techniques for Capturing Motion and Atmosphere
To add some dynamic vibes and aesthetic mode it’s important to capture the motion and atmosphere properly. Below are some tips you can consider:
Tips for Capturing Motion
Slow shutter speed
Always use a slow shutter speed to blur the moving objects in your frame. Try to capture the water flow and moving clouds with motion effects. You can use a tripod to avoid the risk of camera shaking and blur subjects.
Fast Shutter Speed
To capture some fast-moving subjects or objects like birds photography, any splashing water, or a flower in the wind moment use the fast shutter speed to freeze the subject. To maintain the fast speed increase ISO if needed.
Panning
Move your camera according to the moving subject. Blur the background and be careful about your subject so that it stays sharp.
Capturing Atmosphere
Golden Hour and Blue Hour
To capture a soft, glossy, and warm atmosphere use the golden hour. It will add magical quality. Use blue hour to get a cool effect use blue hour.
Fog and Mist
To capture the cozy and mysterious vibes of the atmosphere shoot early in the morning or after rain. At that time nature had foggy vibes and enough moisture to make your photos more aesthetic and dramatic.
Weather Conditions
Try to photoshoots in different types of weather conditions. Such as in rain, snow, or heavy wind conditions. It will give versatility to your photos.
The best time to take a photograph outside depends on your various matters. Select your best time for outdoor photography according to your needs. Use golden hour, blue hour, or sunlight, rain, or snow to get multiple types of images. That will make you a versatile photographer and raise the interest of the viewer.
