Have you ever wondered you saw a great picture somewhere on the internet, then you visited the same place and took the same composition, and still your images look totally different? It happened to me infinite times before I realised best camera setting is not sufficient, and need to understand how lighting affects and has an enormous impact on photography. Mastering the best use of natural light in landscape photography is a way to achieve stunning, eye-catching shots.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner, understanding how to harness the unique qualities of natural light during the golden hour, blue hour, and twilight can make all the difference in the world.
In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into one of my favorite subjects, the world of natural light photography. We will explore everything from the fundamental principles of light to the specific techniques and tools to capture breathtaking landscape photos. By the end of this post, you’ll have all the knowledge and expertise you need to start taking your landscape photography to the next level.
But before we dive in, let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer beauty of natural light itself.
So, if you’re ready to take your natural light landscape photography skills to the sun (next level), read on! I am sure you’ll come away from this post with plenty of tips, tricks, and advice to help you capture the magic of natural light in all its forms.
Understanding Natural Light in Landscape Photography
Landscape photography or nature photograpy is all about capturing the beauty of landscape or nature, and there’s no better way to do that than by using natural light.
Let’s start with the basics. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at natural light, its characteristics, and how it can create different moods and tones in your landscape photos.
So, What is Natural Light?🤷
Natural light is the light that comes from the sun, the moon, or the stars. It’s one of the essential factors in landscape photography, as it can make or break a photo. The tricky part is natural light is constantly changing throughout the day, which means that you need to be aware of the different types of light and how they affect your photos. Now, let’s understand the attributes of light.
The Attributes of Light
You need to consider four main light attributes when taking landscape photos: intensity, direction, quality, and color.
- Intensity refers to the brightness or darkness of the light. It can vary depending on the time of day, the weather, and the location.
- Direction is the angle at which the light hits your subject. The direction of light can create different moods and emotions in your photos.
- Quality refers to the hardness or softness of the light. Soft light can create a more peaceful and calming atmosphere, while harsh light can create a more dramatic and intense effect.
- Color is the hue or temperature of the light. It can vary from warm tones, like yellow and orange, to cool tones, like blue and green. The color of light can affect your photos’ overall mood and tone or style.
Using Different Types of Natural Light in Landscape Photography
Different types of natural light can create different effects in your landscape photos.
3 Most Popular Types Of Natural Light In Landscape Photography – The Golden hour, Blue hour, And Twilight
- The Golden Hour is the time just after sunrise or just before sunset when the light is soft, warm, and golden in color. This type of light can create a beautiful and romantic atmosphere in your photos.
- The Blue Hour is the time just before sunrise or just after sunset when the light is cool and blue in color. This type of light can create a serene and peaceful mood in your photos.
- Twilight is the time between sunset and dusk when the light fades, and the sky changes colors. This type of light can create a magical and dreamy effect in your photos.
By understanding the different attributes of natural light and how it creates different moods and tones in your photos, you can capture astonishing landscape photos that truly showcase the beauty of nature and your style.
Understanding The Magic Hour: Golden Hour, Blue Hour, and Twilight Explained
Now need your focus once again; this is the most important topic here. The magic hour, also known as the golden hour, blue hour, and twilight, is when the light is most desirable for capturing great landscape photos. During these times, the light is softer, warmer and creates a beautiful glow on your subject.
The golden hour photography can happen twice a day, 50-60 mins after sunrise and just before sunset. Warm, golden hues and long shadows characterize it. This is the perfect time to capture landscape photos because the light is soft and directional, casting a warm and inviting glow on your subject.
On the other hand, the blue hour is the time of day when the sun is below the horizon, but the sky is not yet completely dark. It occurs 10-25 mins before sunrise and after sunset. The light takes on a deep blue color during this time, creating a moody, serene atmosphere. Blue hour photography can be particularly effective for landscape photography as it adds depth and atmosphere to the image.
Twilight is when the sky is completely dark, but there is still some residual light in the atmosphere. It occurs just before sunrise and just after sunset. Twilight can be further divided into three subcategories: civil, nautical, and astronomical.
How To Take Advantage Of The Magic Hour
To take advantage of the magic hour, it’s essential to know when these times occur in your location. It is always good to plan ahead, mainly when your light window is limited and constantly changing. Knowing the exact time of the blue hour and the golden hour, you can scout locations beforehand, plan your shot, and set up your equipment before the magic hour begins. This will give you plenty of time to adjust your camera settings and composition to make the most of the available natural light.
Recommendation: Apps and websites to find the golden hour, blue hour, and twilight timing in your area
Some popular apps to check and calculate your area’s golden hour and blue hour include PhotoPills(my favourite), The Photographer’s Ephemeris, and Golden Hour Calculator iOS .
Few other recommended online free tools to calculate the blue hour, such as bluehoursite.com. These tools will provide the exact time when blue hour begins and ends in your area.
Note:- Once you know when these times occur, it’s important to determine the direction of natural light during these times. During the golden hour, for example, the light will be coming from the side, creating beautiful long shadows and adding depth to your photos. By contrast, during the blue hour, the light will be coming from below the horizon, casting a cool blue hue over your subject.
Some tips for determining the direction of natural light during these times include:
- Using a compass or GPS to determine the direction of the sunrise or sunset
- Looking for illuminated areas of the landscape by the sun
- Paying attention to the way the shadows fall on your subject
By taking advantage of the magic hour and understanding how to work with natural light during these times, you can come home with great photos every time. Remember, the sun is not always visible; we do have rainy and snowy days 🙂
Comparison between Multiple Lights: Blue Hour vs. Golden Hour
When comparing the blue hour and the golden hour, it’s essential to understand the phenomenon.
Just a recap, the golden hour occurs during the first hour after sunrise or the last hour before sunset when the sun is low in the sky and casts a warm, golden light across the landscape. The warm light creates a soft, diffused effect, which can be particularly effective for portrait and still-life photography.
Conversely, the blue hour occurs during twilight when the sun is below the horizon, and the sky takes on a deep blue hue. This unique lighting situation is ideal for creating moody, atmospheric images. We can also call photography lighting. The blue hour can be particularly effective for landscape photography, as it adds depth and atmosphere to the image.
When comparing the two, it’s essential to consider what type of mood or atmosphere you want to convey in your photos. Golden hour can be ideal for creating a warm, inviting mood, while the blue hour is best for creating a mysterious or moody atmosphere.
Ultimately, the choice between the blue hour and golden hour will depend on your creative vision and the mood you want to create in your photos.
By understanding the unique characteristics of each type of natural light and how to work with them, you can create stunning landscape photos that capture the beauty of natural light.
Classifications of Natural Light in Photography
When it comes to natural light in photography, there are three main classifications that you need to be familiar with: Direct light, Diffused light, and Reflected light. Understanding how to identify and work with each class to achieve the desired effect is crucial.
Direct Light
Light that comes directly from the sun or any other light source without any obstacles. It creates dark shadows and strong highlights, which are great for creating drama and emphasizing the textures and shapes of your subject.
When working with direct light, it’s important to be aware of the direction and angle of the light source. The angle of the light can significantly affect the mood and atmosphere of your photos.
For example, shooting with the sun behind your subject can create a silhouette effect, while shooting directly into the sun can create a lens flare effect.
Here are some ways to identify direct light in your environment:
- Check the shadows: If the shadows are well-defined with hard edges, they indicate direct light.
- Look for contrast: Direct light creates high contrast in the scene, making the highlights brighter and the shadows darker.
- Check the color temperature: Direct light has a warm color temperature that creates an orange or yellow hue in your photos.
- Check the angle: Direct light comes from a high angle, usually above the horizon line, and creates long shadows that extend in the opposite direction.
Considering these factors, you can quickly identify direct light in your surroundings and use it to your advantage in landscape photography.
Diffused Light
This is scattered and softened by the atmosphere or other elements, such as clouds or foliage. It creates a soft and even illumination, which creates a gentle and peaceful mood in your photos.
When working with diffused light, it’s essential to pay attention to the direction of the light. Shooting with the light behind your subject can create a soft and glowing effect while shooting directly into the light can create a dreamy and ethereal effect.
To identify diffused light, look for soft and shadowless illumination. This type of light is often found during cloudy or overcast days or during the early morning or late afternoon hours when the sun is low on the horizon.
Reflected Light
A Light that is bounced off surfaces such as water, snow, or buildings. It creates a soft and even illumination and is suitable for creating a calming and serene mood in your photos.
When working with reflected light, pay attention to the color temperature and quality of the light. Reflected light can sometimes have a bluish or yellowish tint depending on the reflecting surface, which can affect the overall color balance of your photos.
To identify reflected light, look for soft, even illumination that doesn’t cast harsh shadows. This type of light is often found near bodies of water or in urban environments where buildings and structures can reflect light.
In landscape photography, each natural light class has unique characteristics and benefits. Knowing how to identify and work with each type can help you create stunning photos that capture the mood and atmosphere of the scene.
How Atmospheric Conditions Affect Natural Light Photography
When it comes to landscape photography, atmospheric conditions such as clouds, fog, and haze can significantly impact the quality of natural light. Understanding how to work with these conditions can help you create unique landscape photos that stand out from the rest.
- Cloudy or overcast days can create diffused light, which is great for capturing soft, even lighting across a landscape. However, if the sky is too cloudy, the light may become too flat and lack contrast, resulting in a dull image. In this case, finding a point of interest or subject that stands out and using it as a focal point in your composition can be helpful.
- On the other hand, fog and mist can create a dreamy, ethereal atmosphere in your photos. When working with fog, it’s always good to adjust your exposure to compensate for the lack of light, and consider using a longer exposure to capture the movement of the fog.
- Haze, a result of low pressure and air pollution or particles in the air, can create a soft and warm quality of light during the golden hour. However, it can also make distant subjects appear hazy or washed out, so it’s important to consider your composition and how to balance the foreground and background elements. You can always refer to our guide about composition and download the ebook (coming soon, subscribe to the newsletter to get notification first).
Understanding how atmospheric conditions affect natural light photography can help you prepare for the next shoot and pack the right gear.
Ideal or Best Light for Taking Landscape Photos
When it comes to taking stunning landscape photos, understanding the ideal or best light for your shots is crucial.
The golden hour is ideal for capturing landscapes with soft, warm, diffuse, and inviting atmospheres and can also enhance the natural textures and colors of the environment.
And the blue hour is perfect for capturing moody and dramatic landscape shots, as it can add a mysterious and otherworldly vibe to your photos.
Finally, twilight is good for capturing romantic and dreamy landscape shots, as it can add a sense of magic and wonder to your photos.
Understanding the different types of natural light, you can use to create different moods and tones in your photos is key to mastering landscape photography. By experimenting with different types of light and taking advantage of the ideal or best light for your shots, you can take stunning and memorable landscape photos that capture the true essence and beauty of the natural world.
12 Tips And Techniques For Capturing Perfect Landscape Photos Using Natural Light
Tips For Landscape Photography
- Use a tripod: A tripod is essential for landscape photography. It allows you to keep the camera steady and eliminates any camera shake. This is especially important when shooting during low-light conditions.
- Pay attention to the direction of light: The direction of light can make or break your photo. Pay attention to where the light comes from and use it to your advantage. Shooting toward the light can create a dramatic effect, while shooting with the light can create a softer look.
- Use the rule of thirds: The rule of thirds is a basic composition rule that can help you create balanced and visually appealing photos. Follow our composition guide to learn more or download Ebook (coming Soon – join waitlist)
- Utilize foreground elements: Look for interesting objects in the foreground and use them to lead the viewer’s eye into the photo. Follow our framing guide using natural elements to learn more.
- Bracket your shots: Bracketing your shots involves taking multiple shots at different exposure settings. This technique can help you capture the full dynamic range of the scene and create a well-exposed final image. Learn more about the exposure triangle. Receive monthly updates in your email about new destination, travel tips, landscape photography, photo-editing and existing freebies details. Click here to sign-up for newsletter.
Tips Which Is Useful In All Type Of Photography
- Use the histogram: The histogram is a graph showing the tones distribution in your image. It helps you to identify overexposed or underexposed areas. Use it to adjust your camera settings and get the best exposure. Check which tool is good for you Lightroom vs Photoshop?
- Use a polarizing filter: A polarizing filter can help to reduce glare and reflections, enhancing the natural colors in your landscape photos.
- Be patient: (Most Important) Landscape photography requires patience. Wait for the right light, the right weather, and the right moment. Be prepared to wait for hours for the perfect shot.
- Don’t be afraid to underexpose: Underexposing can help you preserve the details in the highlights and create a more dramatic effect. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different exposure settings.
- Shoot in RAW: Shooting in RAW format gives you more flexibility in post-processing. RAW files capture more detail and give you more control over the final image.
- Experiment with different angles and perspectives: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different angles and perspectives. Shooting from a low angle can create a sense of depth, while shooting from a high angle can give you a unique perspective.
- Practice, practice, practice: Like any other skill, landscape photography requires practice. Get out there and shoot as much as possible. Experiment with different techniques and settings, and be bold and make mistakes.
Some additional points to consider during magical hours:
- To capture the best shots during the golden hour, use a tripod, experiment with different angles, and pay attention to the direction of light.
- To capture the best shots during the blue hour, use a blue hour calculator, experiment with different shutter speeds, and pay attention to the direction of light.
- To capture the best shots during twilight, use a tripod, experiment with different shutter speeds and aperture settings, and pay attention to the direction of light.
Adjusting camera settings based on lighting conditions is essential for capturing optimal exposure to different types of natural light. When it comes to achieving optimal exposure to different types of natural light, it’s essential to understand how to use your camera settings to your advantage.
Conclusion
Mastering Natural Light in Landscape Photography: A Summary
Throughout this post, we have explored the different types of natural light, from direct to diffused light, from the golden hour to twilight. Every kind of natural light offers unique opportunities for photographers to capture beautiful and captivating images.
We’ve also discussed how atmospheric conditions can affect the quality of natural light and provided tips for working with these conditions to create unique and stunning photos.
Additionally, I’ve provided some tips and techniques for capturing the best natural light photos, including adjusting camera settings and achieving optimal exposure.
Final Thoughts on Mastering Light in Landscape Photography
Mastering natural light in landscape photography is a skill that requires practice and patience. Learning how to identify and work with different types of natural light takes time, but the results can be breathtaking.
As you continue to experiment with natural light in your photography, remember to stay curious, be willing to make mistakes, and always look for ways to improve your skills. The more you practice, the more you will develop an intuitive sense of how to capture the best natural light photos.
Share Your Landscape Photos and Tips
It would be best to practice these tips and techniques and experiment with different types of natural light in your photography. Feel free to share your landscape photos and tips in the comments or on social media. Photography is a collaborative art; we can all learn from each other’s experiences and perspectives.
Join the Natural Light Landscape Photography Community
If you’re interested in learning more about natural light landscape photography and connecting with other photographers who share your passion, consider joining a photography group or online community. There are many groups and forums where you can share your photos, ask for advice, and learn from others. Join our Facebook group, “The Exposure Edge Community” or comment below.
Remember, the light will always guide your way in landscape photography. By mastering natural light, you can create stunning images that capture the beauty and essence of the natural world. Happy shooting!
~ RG
Keep exploring, experimenting, and pushing yourself to take your photography to the next level.
Light in Landscape Photography – FAQs
What is the difference between the golden hour and the blue hour?
The golden hour and the blue hour are both times of day when the natural light is ideal for landscape photography, but they occur at different times and have a different quality of light. The golden hour occurs shortly after sunrise or before sunset, and has a warm, golden tone. The blue hour occurs just before sunrise or just after sunset, and has a cool, blue tone.
What is the best camera for landscape photography?
The best camera for landscape photography is one you have and another that has a high resolution and dynamic range and allows for manual control of settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. Some popular cameras for landscape photography include the Canon EOS R5, Nikon Z7, and Sony A7R IV.
How can I find the direction of natural light during the golden hour?
You can use a compass or a smartphone app with a built-in compass to determine the direction of natural light during the golden hour. Alternatively, you can look for shadows and adjust your position until the light comes from the desired direction.
What is the best lens for landscape photography?
The best landscape photography lens depends on your preference and shooting style. Generally, a wide-angle lens with a focal length of 16-35mm is recommended for capturing expansive landscapes, while a telephoto lens with a focal length of 70-200mm is ideal for compressing the perspective of distant objects.
How can I use atmospheric conditions to enhance my landscape photos?
Atmospheric conditions such as clouds, fog, and haze can add depth and mood to your landscape photos. Experiment with different exposure settings and compositions to capture the atmosphere of the scene. You can also use a polarizing filter to reduce glare and increase contrast in the sky.
