Capturing fantastic photos is easier than most might think it is. The problem is that we foil our own creations because we don’t know the techniques to make the most of what we’re shooting.
One of the fundamental techniques has to do with lighting. It just makes the photos. But few know what lighting they need (especially in place photography), and so end up creating ho-hum images that require much effort from the audience to get the idea.
The principle is this: Light (most often from the sun) will play a role in your photo one way or another. It will brighten subjects or cast shadows. Either you use it for good, or it will end up conflicting with the image you’re trying to create.
With place photography, a rule-of-thumb to use is, simply, shoot in the morning or evening in the opposite direction of the sun. Basically, use the sun as your spotlight to make your subject pop.
A couple of examples here that show just how powerful the time of day can change the aesthetic of your photo:
You can apply this principle even after the sun has set, in which case you have to rely on other light sources to frame your composition. Here’s an example of the classic coastal view at Oia, Santorini:
Many elements make a great picture. Lighting is one that most overlook or just don’t account for. But, in order to take your photos to the next level, make an effort to capture at the right time of day and let the light do your work for you.
Share your favorite time to shoot a place with pictures in the comments section!
Great tips for taking better photos, I try to remember everything I read here on Connect and apply it when I use my camera. Are you a professional photographer? Do you have a favourite place where every photo is perfect no matter the timing?
With that said, you might be happy to check the Photo of the week. It is chosen based on a variety of criteria: location, subject matter, and image quality (but not view counts) factor into our selection.
Thanks @MoniDi ! I’d love to be a professional photographer—someday, I hope. Meanwhile, I’ve been enjoying the Photo of the Week and trying to absorb all I can from the How-tos. There’s so much to gain from this community!
@futnotecom It’s so important! I often struggle with tours of places because they are usually in the middle of the day, when it’s just about as difficult as possible to get a great shot of a place. Oh well, c’est la vie!
Oh, thank you so much for your informative post @Ermorse !
And it was funny about throughing the camera into the canyon if are late for the sunrise or sunset there… )))) Totolly gree ))) I saw it many times that once you miss the sunrise the landscape looks absolutely different…
I don’t have my “favorite shot” until now, still hoping there will be one to come in future ))) But this one I like a lot: