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If you look through a copy of 'National Geographic' you will probably notice that most of the photographs have a very pleasant, warm feel to them. This is not by accident, nor is achieved by black magic on behalf of the photographer or even clever voodoo in the darkroom. One of the simple secrets to obtain this effect is to take the photographs either early in the morning, not long after dawn, or in the evening as the sun goes down.
At these times of the day, even during inclement weather, the sunlight and atmosphere have very different qualities than during daytime.
Texture
If you can drag yourself out of bed early enough :>) you should be able to notice that the low angle of the sun tends to exagerate textures. The longer, darker shadows cause a ploughed field to look much more three-dimensional than it will appear at mid-day.
Clear Air
The air will be much clearer without the haze that appears when we all start our cars and head for work. Distant details will be much clearer.
Even in towns and cities the landscape will look quite different as the low light casts longer and darker shadows. With little traffic around, you will probably even notice things that would otherwise pass unseen and traffic lights and shop signs will appear much more vivid.
Vibrant Tones and Colors
Again, textures will look much more stark and three-dimensional on pavement or walls. Skin and clothing textures and tones will also be affected, and colours in general will look much more 'alive' in the clearer air.
At the other end of the day, we are all aware of the drama that can be seen in a glorious sunset. People or animals photographed in open country or overlooking the sea can look very dramatic.
So, whatever your chosen subject, why not extend your day by two or three hours occasionally? Your results will be well worth it as your work will easily stand out from your more usual daytime shots.
Effects of Light
Making the transition from a snapshot to a saleable, professional image cannot be made without an understanding of how light affects your work, particularly when shooting out of doors where you have very little control over the light available to you.
Composing an image, metering the scene and selecting an aperture/shutter speed combination can all be varied depending upon prevailing light conditions to change the mood and impact of your final photograph. How to Photograph in Natural Light
The book 'How to Photograph in Natural Light' by George Schaub, details practical techniques for a wide range of light and weather conditions that will soon have your photographs in a different league. Click here to check out the reviews at Amazon...
When thinking of buying books on photography, remember that practicing the tips and techniques detailed in them costs absolutely nothing when using a digital camera. This huge advantage over traditional film cameras means that you can read a chapter, pick up your camera and literally walk out of the door to start sharpening your technique.
Before the ready availability of digital cameras, many folk didn't even consider buying books because it was difficult, time consuming and expensive to shoot maybe dozens of photographs trying to learn how to handle tricky subjects. This meant that the only real way to improve, shoot more photographs, wasn't available to them, but it is to you. Don't waste it, get out there and shoot!
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