Photography Basics: Qualities of Natural Light
Light is the foundation of photography. Your camera cannot record images unless there is some sort of light to illuminate a scene or subject. That is true whether the light is natural or artificial. However, this tutorial is to make you aware of how Natural light conditions will have an effect on the overall look and color tone of your images.
What factors affect the overall look and color tone of your images? The main factors that will affect the color tone and look/mood of your images taken in natural light will be the outdoor conditions (weather) and the time of day that you are taking pictures.
Light is the foundation of photography. Your camera cannot record images unless there is some sort of light to illuminate a scene or subject. That is true whether the light is natural or artificial. However, this tutorial is to make you aware of how Natural light conditions will have an effect on the overall look and color tone of your images.
What factors affect the overall look and color tone of your images? The main factors that will affect the color tone and look/mood of your images taken in natural light will be the outdoor conditions (weather) and the time of day that you are taking pictures.
Outdoor Conditions: Take a look at the images below taken under different outdoor conditions. Picture #1 was taken during the mid day hours on a clear day. The tone is neutral with no specific overall color tone dominating the image.
Picture #2 was taken on a cloudy, overcast day. The overall color tone of the image is cool and bluish/gray compared to image #1. One of the reasons that the cloudy day picture is more bluish gray is because the warmer natural sunlight rays are being difussed by the clouds. Although image #2 has a cooler/bluish overall tone, the colors in the image show well even though they are somewhat more subdued than if the picture was taken on a clear day.
Picture #2 was taken on a cloudy, overcast day. The overall color tone of the image is cool and bluish/gray compared to image #1. One of the reasons that the cloudy day picture is more bluish gray is because the warmer natural sunlight rays are being difussed by the clouds. Although image #2 has a cooler/bluish overall tone, the colors in the image show well even though they are somewhat more subdued than if the picture was taken on a clear day.
Image #1, Mid Day light with neutral tone
|
Image #2, Cloudy Day light with a cool bluish tone
|
Shown below are a couple of extra examples of how natural light outdoor/weather conditions can affect the look of your pictures during the day. There are some scattered clouds in picture #3. However, this can be considered a mostly sunny day and there is plenty of natural sunlight reaching the scene that is not diffused by the clouds.
In many cases, a few scattered clouds in the sky will look just as good if not better than a plain blue sky. Take note that the color tone in picture #3 is still pretty neutral like picture #1.
In many cases, a few scattered clouds in the sky will look just as good if not better than a plain blue sky. Take note that the color tone in picture #3 is still pretty neutral like picture #1.
Image #3, Scattered clouds but mostly sunny day
|
Image #4, cloudy day with bluish gray tone
|
Picture #4 above is another picture taken on a pretty cloudy day. As you can see, the overall color tone of the picture is bluish/gray similar to picture #2. Again, that happens because the warmer color tones of the sunrays are being diffused by the clouds. Next, take another look at both pictures #2 and #4.
You wil notice that you can barely find any shadows in either image. That is an important charateristic of pictures taken on heavily overcast cloudy days that you should be aware of. (It also applies on days with rain or snow)
Technically, mid day refers to when the sun is highest in the sky around 12:00 pm (U.S). For the purposes of this article, the mid day hours are a couple of hours before the sun reaches its peak in the sky during the day and a couple of hours after it goes past its peak.
That is important to remember because the overall look and color tone of your pictures can be warmer prior to the hours before, and then after mid day. (especially on a clear day) This will be explained a little more in the section about Natural Light and the time of day.)
That is important to remember because the overall look and color tone of your pictures can be warmer prior to the hours before, and then after mid day. (especially on a clear day) This will be explained a little more in the section about Natural Light and the time of day.)
The Time of Day Affects the Overall Color Tone of an image: The pictures that were shown above are considered mid day photos but the emphasis of the text was on weather conditions.
However, going forward take a look at the rest of the pictures in this article and the color tones of the atmosphere of pictures taken at different times of the day.
However, going forward take a look at the rest of the pictures in this article and the color tones of the atmosphere of pictures taken at different times of the day.
Sunset and Sunrise: Sunsets and sunrises are a beautiful part of nature that happens every day and no two of them are the same. Sunsets and sunrises will create warm yellowish/orange and even red tones in the sky depending on the atmospheric conditions.
Image #5 shows sun just at the horizon around sunset
Image #6 still shows a few details of the background even when sun is down
Image #7 shows reddish tones due to sunset atmospheric conditions
Technically, a sunrise/sunset photo is one that is taken as the sun dips below the horizon at sunset or begins to rise above the horizon at sunrise. Take a look at pictures #5 and #6. As you can see, it is not totally dark and there is still a good amount of light in the atmosphere. However, that light will rapdily decrease during sunset or increase during sunrise.
Image #7 shows deep reddish clouds during the sunset. The red tone is caused by atmospheric conditions and you probably wont see it every day. So count this reddish tone as a bonus if you are already out taking sunset/sunrise pictures
So it is a good idea to check online for sunrise and sunset times in your area. Then try to get to your shooting location about an hour before either event. You might be surprised how the rapid change of light can change the tone of your pictures.
An important thing to consider when taking sunrise/sunset images is that if the your camera's exposure meter reads the sun as the primary source of light, it will automatically darken everything else around it. Try focusing your camera on something else in the frame if you want to get some detail in the picture besides the sun.
Image #7 shows deep reddish clouds during the sunset. The red tone is caused by atmospheric conditions and you probably wont see it every day. So count this reddish tone as a bonus if you are already out taking sunset/sunrise pictures
So it is a good idea to check online for sunrise and sunset times in your area. Then try to get to your shooting location about an hour before either event. You might be surprised how the rapid change of light can change the tone of your pictures.
An important thing to consider when taking sunrise/sunset images is that if the your camera's exposure meter reads the sun as the primary source of light, it will automatically darken everything else around it. Try focusing your camera on something else in the frame if you want to get some detail in the picture besides the sun.
Midday Light: Sunlight is the strongest during the mid day hours. Midday light is often referred to as hard light. Depending on the angle of the sun during midday hours, the sunlight will produce the darkest and sharpest shadows of the day in your images. (during a clear or partly clear day) So make sure you pay attention to any areas of shadows that may show in your images taken during mid day to see if the results are acceptable to you.
For example, Image #8 was taken during mid day hours on a very clear day. The photographer was standing under a group of trees. But notice that the strong midday light produced deep shadows in the the image.
For example, Image #8 was taken during mid day hours on a very clear day. The photographer was standing under a group of trees. But notice that the strong midday light produced deep shadows in the the image.
Image #8 shows strong mid day shadows
|
Image #9 taken in mid day light which creates more contrast and detail in the picture
|
That does not mean that the picture is no good. Shadows are a part of nature and we see them every day. You as the photographer will have to make a judgement as to whether the shadows enhance or detract from the overall look of your image.
Hard bright sunlight will also produce more contrast in an image than the diffused light from a cloudy day. Contrast is the tonal difference between light and dark areas. For instance, picture #9 was taken on a clear sunny day. The shadows that are cast on the bricks creates contrast, which helps to bring out the texture and detail of the wall better.
Hard bright sunlight will also produce more contrast in an image than the diffused light from a cloudy day. Contrast is the tonal difference between light and dark areas. For instance, picture #9 was taken on a clear sunny day. The shadows that are cast on the bricks creates contrast, which helps to bring out the texture and detail of the wall better.
If you are taking midday portrait images on a clear day, pay attention to the angle of the sun and any shadows falling on your subject, especially on the face. Picture #10 below with direct mid day sunlight coming from one side has bright highlights as well as shadows falling on the subject. This type of lighting is not flattering for most portrait pictures.
Image #10, Harsh direct sunlight creates
unflattering shadows
|
Image #11, Better lighting with subject in shade
|
When taking natural light portraits during midday, sometimes it is probably better to take the picture in a shaded area if possible. Take a look at picture #11. Although the background is still brightly lit by the direct sunlight, the woman is now standing in a shaded area on the side of the house. The lighting on the subject is now more even which makes for a more appealing portrait.
Just remember that the light in a shaded area is similar to cloudy day overcast light. The light is more even and won't produce images with deep dark shadows in one area and bright light on another area of the subject.
Just remember that the light in a shaded area is similar to cloudy day overcast light. The light is more even and won't produce images with deep dark shadows in one area and bright light on another area of the subject.
So far, this article has only addressed mid day natural light color tones whether the sky is clear or cloudy and the color tones during sunset and sunrise. However, there are other times during the day that produce great color tones that are different than the previously mentioned color tones. Those times are known as the Golden Hour, and the Blue Hour.
What is The Golden Hour? The Golden Hour happens twice during a day. It is a short period during the very early morning or late afternoon/early evening when the sun is close to the horizon.
During the Golden Hour(s) the sun will produce very nice warm yellowish/orange/reddish color tones in the atmosphere and in your images. The sunlight during the Golden Hour will be warmer and softer than mid day light. (but the color tone probably won't be as deep as during a sunset or sunrise) It will still be pretty light outside during the Golden Hour and many people might not even notice it. However, it will show in the color tone of many of your pictures
Images #12 and #13 shown below are examples of the color tone that will will show in your images during the Golden Hour(s). Image # 12 was taken about an 1/2 hour before the actual sunset. You can tell the sun was already pretty low by looking at the reflection spot on the tallest building in the image. Image #13 was taken shortly after sunrise and you can see the warm yellowish tone on the bridge and the buildings in the background.
During the Golden Hour(s) the sun will produce very nice warm yellowish/orange/reddish color tones in the atmosphere and in your images. The sunlight during the Golden Hour will be warmer and softer than mid day light. (but the color tone probably won't be as deep as during a sunset or sunrise) It will still be pretty light outside during the Golden Hour and many people might not even notice it. However, it will show in the color tone of many of your pictures
Images #12 and #13 shown below are examples of the color tone that will will show in your images during the Golden Hour(s). Image # 12 was taken about an 1/2 hour before the actual sunset. You can tell the sun was already pretty low by looking at the reflection spot on the tallest building in the image. Image #13 was taken shortly after sunrise and you can see the warm yellowish tone on the bridge and the buildings in the background.
Image #12, Golden Hour Before Sunset
|
Image #13, Golden Hour shortly after Sunrise
|
As a point of reference, the morning Golden Hour lasts for about an hour after the sun has risen slightly above the horizon. The late afternoon Golden Hour begins approximately an hour before the sun begins to dip below the horizon going into sunset.
Please note that the color tone in the atmosphere after the morning Golden Hour will gradually begin to change from warm to neutral. On the other hand, in the later Golden hours of the day, the atmospheric tone will gradually change from neutral to warm as the sun gets closer to the horizon.
In both cases the light will begin to change quickly. So it is a good idea to get to the location where you want to take pictures a little earlier than the sunrise or sunset Golden Hour.
Please note that the color tone in the atmosphere after the morning Golden Hour will gradually begin to change from warm to neutral. On the other hand, in the later Golden hours of the day, the atmospheric tone will gradually change from neutral to warm as the sun gets closer to the horizon.
In both cases the light will begin to change quickly. So it is a good idea to get to the location where you want to take pictures a little earlier than the sunrise or sunset Golden Hour.
Many people like to take portrait images during the Golden Hour. If the sun is behind your back and falling evenly on your portrait subject, you shouldn't have too many exposure problems.
However, if you take pictures of your subject with the sun behind them to get rim or halo lighting, you might have to adjust your exposure settings to keep from underexposing any faces in your image. That is because the sun coming into your lens might cause your image to be underexposed.
However, if you take pictures of your subject with the sun behind them to get rim or halo lighting, you might have to adjust your exposure settings to keep from underexposing any faces in your image. That is because the sun coming into your lens might cause your image to be underexposed.
The Blue Hour: The Blue Hour happens twice a day same as the Golden Hour. (in most parts of the world) The evening Blue Hour happens right after the actual sunset. In the early morning, the Blue Hour happens just before the sunrise. During those times, the atmosphere will have unique beautiful soft blue color tone.
As beautiful as the evening Blue Hour can be, it important to note that it only lasts for about 15 or 20 minutes before the regular night darkness sets in. As far as the sunrise Blue Hour, it happens before the sun is visible at or above the horizon. So it is a good idea to be ready to take pictures at least 1/2 hour before the actual sunset or sunrise.
As beautiful as the evening Blue Hour can be, it important to note that it only lasts for about 15 or 20 minutes before the regular night darkness sets in. As far as the sunrise Blue Hour, it happens before the sun is visible at or above the horizon. So it is a good idea to be ready to take pictures at least 1/2 hour before the actual sunset or sunrise.
Image #14 Blue Hour
|
Image #15 Blue Hour
|
What makes the Blue Hour distinctive is that even though the sun is below the skyline after sunset and prior to a sunrise, the atmosphere is not totally dark. As you can see in the above pictures, the subjects of the images are still pretty visible. That is because even though the sun is not visible, it is still projecting a little light into the atmosphere from a further distance than during the daytime.
A nice perk for taking pictures during the Blue Hour is that articial light sources will become visible and will add some contrast to your images. That will keep your pictures from looking too monotone or even dull.
Please take note that when taking pictures during the Blue Hour, the light will be very weak. You might need to use a tripod or increase your camera ISO. Using a higher ISO will allow you to use a faster shutter speed that will help you minimize camera shake when taking hand held pictures. Using the tripod will serve the same purpose.
If you would like more information about changing exposure settings, please check Camera Exposure Basics.
If you would like more information about changing exposure settings, please check Camera Exposure Basics.