Shooting the Golden Hours-Pt 1

Think “vibrant” and “true colours” when attempting to capture landscapes. The most vibrant colours are not created during the glare of midday, for harsh direct and overhead sunlight can wreck a photo – overexposed, too much contrast, intense highlights and shadows.

The best outdoor shots can be taken during the golden hours—soon after sunrise or shortly before sunset. These magic hours give soft warm hues, as oppose to the overtly bright tones you’d find during midday. Have a look at how glorious rural beachside Athens becomes when shot at 6PM…

Mainland Greece - The Golden Hours before Sunset: f/3..5; 1/640sec; ISO-100

Mainland Greece – The Golden Hours before Sunset: f/3..5; 1/640sec; ISO-100

You see, midday hours tend to wash your images out; what you think you are shooting during say 11am through 3pm will not be reproduced.

Rock Art: f/5.6; 1/50sec; ISO-100

Rock Art: f/5.6; 1/50sec; ISO-100

During golden hours the sun illuminates buildings and landscapes with a desirable red and orange tint…

6 O'Clock Shadow: f/22; 1/25sec; ISO-100

6 O’Clock Shadow: f/22; 1/25sec; ISO-100

Here’s a tip: Turn off your auto white balance. Manually adjust the white balance to create the color mood you desire. Or, you can also experiment with the auto-presets such as ‘sunny’ or ‘daylight’…

Thorns: f/5.3; 1/400sec; ISO-100

Thorns: f/5.3; 1/400sec; ISO-100

About Alice

I run, I jump, I sing, I dance. Whether climbing trees, walls or stairs I do it at a clip. When out, my date is always Trusty Nikon (who never lets me down in the attire stakes; so smart in his black, with a pop of red!). Where does it lead, this love affair of mine? Well, its lead me to Dubai, via the matrimonial aisle, thanks to a gorgeous husband who whisked me from Coogee beach, Sydney into the Arabian Peninsula - to my new home, Dubai. I am a freelance writer and photographer and my wish is to snap away, to scribe and to share it all with you. Enjoy.
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