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Carpe diem, photography, and natural lighting

Outdoor photography utilizing natural light requires a careful balance of patience and opportunism, dependent as it is on the fickle whims of nature. Often, it requires you to wait for a specific time of day and seizing it in a split second before the weather takes a turn for the nasty. And even if the weather remains constantly fine throughout, the very conditions you wait for are ultimately fleeting.

Image source: photographymad.com

These time windows are usually worth the wait and the shots you take. The so-called magic hour, for instance—those scarce minutes during dawn and dusk—illuminates with just the right warmth and diffusion to give a much-sought-after glow to the sky, landscapes, and even people (as opposed to the sharp contrast appearance of high noon). 

Once magic hour does come, it’s a matter of now or never. And it pays to be in shooting shape when it comes. 

Preparation is the key to seizing the fleeting and arbitrary nature of time windows. Everything must be available before you set out, and the earlier you get to the location, the better. This handily explains why commercial photographers would schedule entire shoots and their associated logistics at unbelievably odd hours in the middle of the night just to be ready for everything at dawn (I have a newfound respect for them and for people who come to shoots early). 

When you’ve done all the preparations and still have hours to spare on-site, then consider it a job well done. Now it’s time to sit back, wait until the time is right, and seize the day. 

Image source: lifeinlofi.com

Dr. James DeVellis here. I once thought that I put my wake-before-sunrise moments behind me when I retired from teaching, but today, I still wake up before 5 to get the perfect shot at 6 or 7. Follow me on Twitter for more updates.
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