When is the best light for photography outdoors?
After the rain
The best light for photography outdoors is after a day of rain. Clarity of light is everything. I’ve often heard people say that despite all the right settings in their camera, the image is not totally sharp. Well, many forget that atmospheric conditions and low quality light can also reduce sharpness. Heat, dust, moisture and haze all cause distortion, and no matter how great or expensive your equipment is, it won’t matter if there is no clarity in the air.
Following a day of rain and snow, after weeks of heavy atmospheric dust carried over from Africa, the wind, rain and snow finally cleared it all away and on this day there was such perfect clarity that I could zoom right in to the peak of Mount Storzic in the Kamnik Alps mountain range at 400mm focal length and get a razor sharp image of this beautiful peak.
In the video below I visit a place called Black Lake in Slovenia and photograph one of my favourite but lesser known views in Slovenia. I also show you the Kase K9 filter holder with magnetic polarizer in action over water.
In winter
Winter is also a great time for clarity of light. In summer heat creates moisture, humidity and dust also builds up in the air. The result is usually a hazy picture. Additionally, summer heat can play havoc with your digital camera’s sensor; especially when doing long exposures. The hotter your sensor gets the more noise that is introduced into your image.
In winter the cold air holds less moisture, so consequently there is less haze in your scene. The cold also reduces the chance of your sensor getting too hot even when doing long exposures.
However, as it’s so cold you might want to ensure you use a tripod to avoid camera shake from your shivering!
Ice circles on Lake Bled Are Aliens looking for new locations
Ice circles discovered on Lake Bled – Are Aliens visiting new locations? – I discovered them while photographing the lake in winter. Read more here.
Shadows in Photography
When learning photography you’ll often hear the word “light” over and over again. But shadows in photography are equally important. See some examples here.
Photography in the Rain
Rainy Day Photography – Don’t stay indoors when it rains, get outside and take photos. A few tips on what to photograph when it’s pouring down with rain.
Understanding Lighting for Photography
Understanding lighting for photography and how it affects our scene and our photos – a short insight from professional photographer Ian Middleton.
My book
Learn Photography
For a more comprehensive look at photography, check out my book, available to buy at Amazon.
Shedding light on all the photography basics in one book.
Want to know how to take better photos? Well, first you need to master the basic techniques. Whether you are a complete beginner or an intermediate looking to improve your photography, this book is packed with photography techniques, tips and advice for beginners and intermediates.
All the camera functions and their effects explained.
