The Magic Hours

[mjs1973]

I'm sure we have all heard someone mention the magic hours when talking about the best time for photographs, especially landscapes. Early in the monrning, or late in the afternoon when the sun is low on the horizon... I was out sitting in a field this afternoon waiting for some deer to come along, when that magic light made the distant hillside come alive. It just so happened that I had taken a shot of the same hillside about a half hour before the light changed. Here are both shots. Both were taken with the same WB setting, and the only PP work I did was to pump up the shadows a little bit (the same amount to each photo.

It just goes to show that the right light, can make a HUGE differance when it comes to taking photos. These photos aren't anything steller, but for me, they are a good reminder to be patient, and wait for the light!

[Frog]

I've seen many a photo that would have been so great if the photographer had waited for the right light. This is a great example. Thanx for showing it!

[Greg McCary]

These things I am trying to learn. Thanks for sharing.....
Greg

[Chunk]

What a good illustration of the effect. Hey PJ, put a link in the learning page to this thread.

Another magic time is early pre-dawn when only the lightest things are visible in an otherwise murky world. It's hard then for me to photograph effectively though.

[Old Timer]

Very nice illustration Michael. I am guilty of getting impatient on many an image when if I had waited for the right light the whole image would have been so much nicer. Thanks for sharing this tid bit with us.

[another view]

Great examples! With landscape photography, it's all about the light. You'll have better luck with a place that you're close to because you can return more often. I'd rather see a shot of maybe not the most incredible scenery but a good composition in great light. Who had the quote, "the more I shoot, the luckier I get"? Something like that...

[I_Fly]

Wow, what a great way to drive home the point. A great visual reminder to think about next time I'm out shooting something that I might be able to get at a different time of day.

[Mr Yuck]

May I add another example? This one says to shoot at all hours, they all have a little bit of this "magic." Just shoot the scene at as many times as possible over as long as possible. Unfortunately I had no concept of tripods, aperture or shutter speed when i shot these, the shots got progressively blurrier, the red got really deep, then the town lights started coming on, absolutely gorgeous, I cant wait to go back to the PacNW.

With these shots, I was just "there" with a camera for the most beautiful sunset I ever saw.

This is all one sunset, no color modifications, no levels, no contrast or brightness changes, just a slight rotation on the third one.