Light varies considerably throughout the day, and every moment of the day offers unique opportunities to capture exceptional images. Knowing how to take advantage of these light changes can dramatically improve the quality of your photos, whether you’re an amateur or a professional. In this article, we’ll explore the different times of day – from dawn to dusk – and give you some practical tips for taking advantage of natural light at every hour.
1. Sunrise photography (Golden Hour of Morning)
Sunrise is a magical time for photography, especially during the golden hour, which occurs just after sunrise. The light is soft, warm and diffused, creating long, flattering shadows that highlight shapes and textures.
Advice :
Arrive early: The golden hour is short, so plan your photo shoot well before dawn to be ready to capture the first light.
Use a tripod: Soft morning light may require slower shutter speeds, so a tripod is essential to avoid motion blur.
Capturing landscapes: Golden hour is ideal for landscapes, as the warm light and textured shadows add depth to the scene.
Portrait photography: This light is flattering for outdoor portraits, especially when the morning light is diffused through features such as trees or windows.
Example of a useful tool :
Golden Hour Calculator for planning your shots at sunrise and sunset.
Tip: Always plan to arrive early so you don’t miss the perfect window of light, as the golden hour usually lasts only 20-30 minutes after sunrise.
2. Daylight photography (La Lumière de Midi)
As the day progresses, the light becomes more intense and direct, especially around midday. At this time, the sun is high in the sky, creating strong shadows. Although the light is harder and less flattering for certain types of photography, there are ways to work with it.
Advice :
Use creative shadows: Hard light creates sharp, pronounced shadows, which can be used to create dramatic and interesting compositions. Use objects to play with shadows and create visual effects.
Reduce intensity with a diffuser: If the light is too strong for a portrait or a sensitive subject, you can use a diffuser to soften it.
Opt for detail or nature shots: Details such as textures, patterns and intense colors often come out best in strong light. Take photos of flowers, buildings or small objects that benefit from direct light.
Experiment with street photography: strong contrasts and shadows can add character and depth to your street shots, creating visually dynamic scenes.
Example of useful equipment:
Diffuse the light with a reflector like Manfrotto ‘s to balance the light on daylight portraits.
Tip: During lunchtime, opt for partially cloudy skies, or look for shadows to soften the effect of harsh light.
3. Photographing sunset (The Golden Hour of Evening)
Sunset is one of the most popular times for photography, offering soft, warm light that illuminates the scene in spectacular fashion. Like sunrise, sunset produces saturated colors, long shadows and a special atmosphere.
Advice :
Capture the colors of the sky: sunset is the perfect moment to capture the magnificent gradations of color, from warm hues to cooler shades as the light fades.
Capturing silhouettes: The high contrast between a colorful sky and a dark subject creates dramatic silhouettes. Use this for your photos of people, animals or objects against the light.
Play with reflections: If you’re near water, take advantage of the sunset’s reflections. Calm water can act as a mirror, creating an interesting symmetrical composition.
Shooting landscapes: Just as in the morning, the golden hour of evening is perfect for landscapes. Soft colors and long shadows add depth and relief to your images.
Example of a useful tool :
SunCalc.net to plan your shots according to the angle and time of sunset.
Tip: The evening golden hour is very similar to the morning golden hour, but offers unique possibilities thanks to the gradual changes in color and mood as the sun sets.
4. Photographing the Night (Artificial Light and the Stars)
Photographing after sunset presents an entirely different challenge. Night scenes are often darker, requiring appropriate settings, but they can also produce spectacular results.
Advice :
Milky Way and star photography: If you’re out and about, nighttime is the perfect opportunity for stellar landscape photography. Use a wide-angle lens with a large aperture and increase ISO while controlling exposure to capture the stars.
Artificial lights and cities: Cities at night are fascinating subjects thanks to urban lights. Experiment with long exposure times to capture the light trails of cars and pedestrians.
Use a tripod: Low light levels often require longer exposure times, so a tripod is essential to avoid motion blur.
Use creative lighting: Using light sources such as street lamps, neon lights or car headlights can add interesting visual elements to your night shots.
Example of useful equipment:
Manfrotto Compact Action or Gitzo Mountaineer tripods for stable, long-exposure shots.
Tip: Don’t be afraid of the dark. Sometimes it’s artificial light that can add mystery and magic to a night scene.
Conclusion: Enjoy the Light Every Moment of the Day
Every moment of the day offers unique opportunities for memorable photos. The key to successful photography at different times of day is to adapt your settings and approach to the quality of the light. Morning and evening, with their soft, golden light, are perfect for portraits and landscapes, while daylight offers opportunities for strong contrasts and creative shadows. Finally, night is the perfect time to explore artificial light photography and immortalize the magic of the stars.
Useful links for further information :
Golden Hour Calculator to determine golden and blue hour times.