What makes Your morning/evening Hours Golden ?

In the nature/landscape shooting that I do, the nature/quality of the light is an essential factor .

The "science" (if there really is one) seems extraordinarily complex, variable, unclear, unsatisfying ...

There are certain types of sky conditions that I have noted can be more conducive - but there seem to also be additional variable factors (such as the time of the year, and the angle of the sun).

Try as I may, my best notations of what worked in the past do not necessarily apply tomorrow ...

Yet, there is a certain glow on certain days/times that that seems quite evident to my eyes, and it seems (in my mind) that others (a painter, a stranger, a young child) can all readily perceive that !

Though such lighting conditions (at least) seem unmistakable , language seems to fall far short ...

Wavelengths, color temperatures, refractions, dispersions, are not truths that speak to the heart .

I can talk about clear horizons, light partial clouds, seasons, times, etc - but there is no set formula.

Question for you: Do you have a language describing how/why the light sometimes enchants us ?

--
It is never too late to give up your prejudices.

Erik Johansen said:

Erik Johansen wrote (above in his post title).

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Surely so - after the fact , that is. My question relates to what others may think or do in making their decisions to attempt to capture given subject(s) in particular kinds of lighting environments.

Detail Man said:

In the nature/landscape shooting that I do, the nature/quality of the light is an essential factor .

The "science" (if there really is one) seems extraordinarily complex, variable, unclear, unsatisfying ...

There are certain types of sky conditions that I have noted can be more conducive - but there seem to also be additional variable factors (such as the time of the year, and the angle of the sun).

Try as I may, my best notations of what worked in the past do not necessarily apply tomorrow ...

Yet, there is a certain glow on certain days/times that that seems quite evident to my eyes, and it seems (in my mind) that others (a painter, a stranger, a young child) can all readily perceive that !

Though such lighting conditions (at least) seem unmistakable , language seems to fall far short ...

Wavelengths, color temperatures, refractions, dispersions, are not truths that speak to the heart .

I can talk about clear horizons, light partial clouds, seasons, times, etc - but there is no set formula.

Question for you: Do you have a language describing how/why the light sometimes enchants us ?

Click to expand...

which is "fluctuation". The reason I love the golden hours is because the light changes rapidly and gives you so many different options, even by the second in some light. However this isn't confined just to the "golden hours". The worst photographic advice I've ever read (and it's oft repeated) is don't bother with midday. Yes the light can be harsh or dull but when conditions are right any time of the day can be worthwhile, you just have to learn to read the light and prevailing conditions.

Yesterday was a case in point, the light was better before the golden hours than during. I nipped out and grabbed this shot, some foreground interest would have been nice (unfortunately cloud formations have a will of their own) but the light and weather conditions still made for a shot I was happy with.



--
It's a known fact that where there's tea there's hope.
Tony
http://the-random-photographer.blogspot.com/

It's funny that, for all your posturing, I've never seen a single image from you.

Detail Man said:

In the nature/landscape shooting that I do, the nature/quality of the light is an essential factor .

The "science" (if there really is one) seems extraordinarily complex, variable, unclear, unsatisfying ...

There are certain types of sky conditions that I have noted can be more conducive - but there seem to also be additional variable factors (such as the time of the year, and the angle of the sun).

Try as I may, my best notations of what worked in the past do not necessarily apply tomorrow ...

Yet, there is a certain glow on certain days/times that that seems quite evident to my eyes, and it seems (in my mind) that others (a painter, a stranger, a young child) can all readily perceive that !

Though such lighting conditions (at least) seem unmistakable , language seems to fall far short ...

Wavelengths, color temperatures, refractions, dispersions, are not truths that speak to the heart .

I can talk about clear horizons, light partial clouds, seasons, times, etc - but there is no set formula.

Question for you: Do you have a language describing how/why the light sometimes enchants us ?

Click to expand...

--
http://www.pbase.com/dot_borg

papillon_65 said:

... which is "fluctuation". The reason I love the golden hours is because the light changes rapidly and gives you so many different options, even by the second in some light. However this isn't confined just to the "golden hours".

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Good point. Being prepared for surprise is no less valuable at other times than the "Golden Hours". The narrow time-windows that I often try to work in around dusk are more of a curse than a blessing. In an enchanting light, some light high clouds can go a long way towards extending a desirable quality of the light (as well as prolonging the length of the viable time-window of the level of the lighting affecting things like AF focus integrity and adequate illumination for achieving a reasonable Signal/Noise Ratio). But, to your point - every individual instance can be and is different!

dotborg said:

It's funny that, for all your posturing, I've never seen a single image from you.

Click to expand...

That would be because you have not followed my posts very much. Think of all the "posturing" you may have missed out on. Or, you could look at around 600 of my shots in my DPReview Gallery

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4464732135

But that would require an expenditure of some energy, I suppose. Far be it for me to suggest.

Detail Man said:

dotborg said:

It's funny that, for all your posturing, I've never seen a single image from you.

Click to expand...

That would be because you have not followed my posts very much. Think of all the "posturing" you may have missed out on. Or, you could look at around 600 of my shots in my DPReview Gallery

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4464732135

But that would require an expenditure of some energy, I suppose. Far be it for me to suggest.

Click to expand...

My apologies, you have a very nice collection there.

--
http://www.pbase.com/dot_borg

dotborg said:

Detail Man said:

dotborg said:

It's funny that, for all your posturing, I've never seen a single image from you.

Click to expand...

That would be because you have not followed my posts very much. Think of all the "posturing" you may have missed out on. Or, you could look at around 600 of my shots in my DPReview Gallery

http://www.dpreview.com/galleries/4464732135

But that would require an expenditure of some energy, I suppose. Far be it for me to suggest.

Click to expand...

My apologies, you have a very nice collection there.

Click to expand...

I apologize for the fair number of test-shots, graphs, et. that are interspersed among my actual "shots". Should (at the time) have placed the nerd-out stuff in separate "albums" (or something) to keep them separate (but moving that stuff now would break links from existing posts, I think ).

Had a look at the images on your linked-to web-pages. Some interesting stuff there. Nicely done !

Regards,

DM ...

I think that when something is infinitely variable, then we have no choice to rely on the intuitive. I've found this too, that when everything seems right, all the criteria are met...early light...late afternoon, and the sky doesn't cooperate, or as in opposition I've had some of my best lighting during a tornado warning at mid day..or sometimes a wild sky or a glowing light doesn't come at the right time...sometimes sheer instinct mixed with experience (we 'are' animals ;-) takes over.
--



http://www.pbase.com/madlights
http://barriolson.aminus3.com/

Magic light inspires a poetry in the moment.
Perceived as much thru intuition as the senses.
And the shutter clicks.
--
Antara
http://antara.smugmug.com

Well I do 90% of my shooting while walking my two Dogs 3x a day. I get better shots shooting before 9am or after 5pm...or on overcast days...rainy days is good also. Don't much care for the light from 10am to 2pm on clear days. Not very scientific but that has been my experience.
Boris
--

http://public.fotki.com/borysd/

Detail Man said:

In the nature/landscape shooting that I do, the nature/quality of the light is an essential factor .

The "science" (if there really is one) seems extraordinarily complex, variable, unclear, unsatisfying.

There are certain types of sky conditions that I have noted can be more conducive - but there seem to also be additional variable factors (such as the time of the year, and the angle of the sun).

Try as I may, my best notations of what worked in the past do not necessarily apply tomorrow .

Yet, there is a certain glow on certain days/times that that seems quite evident to my eyes, and it seems (in my mind) that others (a painter, a stranger, a young child) can all readily perceive that !

Though such lighting conditions (at least) seem unmistakable , language seems to fall far short .

Wavelengths, color temperatures, refractions, dispersions, are not truths that speak to the heart .

I can talk about clear horizons, light partial clouds, seasons, times, etc - but there is no set formula.

Question for you: Do you have a language describing how/why the light sometimes enchants us?

Click to expand...

As I also find, there are not words for what has, or may tomorrow, inspire us to witness the world.

There may be a flower down the street that I know is blooming for a brief time. A few days within which it may be fresh and well hydrated - prime time to witness perspectives of an ancient event.

The subject well in mind, and my schedule hopefully able to find the time, to be there, prepared.

But the light, it is as important as the subject. Like the subject, it is more important than the gear.

Yet there is little other than the sun making an appearance that allows me to predict the light ...

Best laid plans and "photo safaris" flummox more often than not. The light, it's nature and glow, follows it's own script - yet it is no less important than the subject that one wishes to witness ...

So often, I find, the "shot" finds the photographer (rather than it being the other way around). All the rest, the preparing and posturing and fussing over "the specs", is but dressing for such play ...

Whether when making one's rounds otherwise, or when specifically searching for beauty to find, it is indeed surprise itself that seems the only constant - and being ready to act at such fortuitous times seems the only assurance that if/when opportunity arises, the gear will be indeed be nearby.

Today the sun shines and my body complies, off to the creek prepared for such surprise (camera bag, mono-pod, etc.), and a prayer that beauty will find me, and my eyes will again know grace

I think it is as much to do with the 3D effect from the shadows that the low angle of the sun creates.

In the depths of winter here, on the rare occasions the sun does shine, you can get a golden six or seven hours as the sun rises a maximum of 11 or 12 degrees above the horizon.

Olymore said:

I think it is as much to do with the 3D effect from the shadows that the low angle of the sun creates.

In the depths of winter here, on the rare occasions the sun does shine, you can get a golden six or seven hours as the sun rises a maximum of 11 or 12 degrees above the horizon.

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An interesting observation, Olymore . Lower angles of sunlight do (in my experience) indeed often lead to much more interesting illuminations of subject-matter. Thank you for making that point.

Some possible examples:

Antara said:

Magic light inspires a poetry in the moment.
Perceived as much thru intuition as the senses.
And the shutter clicks.

Click to expand...

Mystical, mysterious, undefinable, but indeed an image of truth in the realm of the unspeakable !

Detail Man said:

Detail Man wrote:

In the nature/landscape shooting that I do, the nature/quality of the light is an essential factor.
Question for you: Do you have a language describing how/why the light sometimes enchants us ?

Click to expand...

The nature and quality of natural lighting is something that I find extremely important when photographing flowers. Those opportunities only occur for certain flowers at particular phases in their brief tenure in certain locations at certain times of the day - and it all depends upon the light on any particular day. Without that component being favorable, not much can be accomplished.

In my experience, only a few percent of my shots of flowers (or any flora) have qualified for "keeper" status. Only around one percent qualify a "processed gems". Thus, a lot of patient work is required in order to produce a just a few interesting results. Those are the ones that I post.

I see a lot of flower shots posted where the natural lighting conditions are either lit by glaring direct sunlight or existing in dark and uninteresting shadow areas. It's as if people say, "I think that I will go out today and then aim my camera and push the shutter-button a few times".

They seemingly walk about when it happens to suit their own schedules, and shoot flowers without much regard for the particular lighting conditions that happen to exist at the time. It is as if they think that they will find the shots - as opposed to the shots finding them (and only of special things in special place in special times).

The ability of image processing applications to make uninteresting lighting look interesting after the fact is something that I have found to be rather limited, indeed. The light is every bit as important than the subject - both trump the hardware and the software used to witness and to polish the witnessing of beauty. The required investment is one of time, effort, and patience.







































































DM ...

The low angle sun just before sunset or just after sunrise has a clear, warm tone. I watched this brown pelican and captured it about 20 minutes before sundown, and the light enhances the earth tones of the bird. No color correction or enhancement used.





--
Rich
Take many pictures - a few are keepers, the rest are are lessons.

dontfret said:

dontfret wrote:

The low angle sun just before sunset or just after sunrise has a clear, warm tone. I watched this brown pelican and captured it about 20 minutes before sundown, and the light enhances the earth tones of the bird.

Click to expand...

Looks nice.

dontfret said:

No color correction or enhancement used.

Click to expand...

You mean that it is an OOC JPG, then ?

Detail Man said:

Detail Man wrote:

Detail Man said:

Detail Man wrote:

In the nature/landscape shooting that I do, the nature/quality of the light is an essential factor.
Question for you: Do you have a language describing how/why the light sometimes enchants us ?

Click to expand...

The nature and quality of natural lighting is something that I find extremely important when photographing flowers. Those opportunities only occur for certain flowers at particular phases in their brief tenure in certain locations at certain times of the day - and it all depends upon the light on any particular day. Without that component being favorable, not much can be accomplished.

In my experience, only a few percent of my shots of flowers (or any flora) have qualified for "keeper" status. Only around one percent qualify a "processed gems". Thus, a lot of patient work is required in order to produce a just a few interesting results. Those are the ones that I post.

I see a lot of flower shots posted where the natural lighting conditions are either lit by glaring direct sunlight or existing in dark and uninteresting shadow areas. It's as if people say, "I think that I will go out today and then aim my camera and push the shutter-button a few times".

They seemingly walk about when it happens to suit their own schedules, and shoot flowers without much regard for the particular lighting conditions that happen to exist at the time. It is as if they think that they will find the shots - as opposed to the shots finding them (and only of special things in special place in special times).

The ability of image processing applications to make uninteresting lighting look interesting after the fact is something that I have found to be rather limited, indeed. The light is every bit as important than the subject - both trump the hardware and the software used to witness and to polish the witnessing of beauty. The required investment is one of time, effort, and patience.

DM ...

Click to expand...

What a wonderful collection of flower images! As I mentioned HERE , we "Northerners" really appreciate flower images as we (patiently?) await spring.

I am wondering why you did not include your EXIF data so that beginners like me could learn a bit more about your techniques.

Your prose reminded me of this image that I made a couple of months ago. I had driven by that spot probably hundreds of time over the last 15 years. Suddenly I just had to stop and look at that scene and then to try to capture it.



Speaking of your prose (and your depth of technical knowledge) I think that you might like a WEBSITE that was put together by some friends to celebrate the contribution of James Clerk Maxwell to the science of light and photography. I had been sending them my stuff for a while. When they made the site, last fall, they included my recent stuff in these TWO PAGES of the Meeting Maxwell website.

In particular you might like Maxwell's "A Student's Evening Hymn ":

Now no more the slanting rays

......

I must quickly say that I'm greatly honoured to have my amateur(ish) imagery in that website as Maxwell was a hero of mine .... even though I had a devil of a time with his mathematics over 5 decades ago.

Tom

PS That amateurish shot with A Student's Evening Hymn is from my driveway, which I caught on the way home one evening. Nice to have that "exposure", eh?