By Kerry Drager
Most subjects rarely look their best during a bright blue-sky midday. In outdoor photography, it really pays to take advantage of the visual power of beautiful light.
Late-day or early-day sunlight, for instance, can turn an eye-catching scene into a truly inspiring one. But sunset or sunrise also can work its magic on common "everyday" subjects too!
Out in the California countryside, our green steel ranch building is hardly considered photogenic - at least when the sun is high in the sky. However, when the sun sits low on the horizon, the structure glows in the warm evening light. Also, with the "After" image, a tight composition and the angled side-lighting created a nice graphic-design effect with the strong light-and-shadow lines.
Two more shooting strategies: 1) A lens hood helped prevent lens flare by blocking the sun's rays from hitting the lens glass. 2) A small aperture (high f/number) - combined with a tripod - ensured a good Depth of Field (sharpness throughout the scene).
Note: Check out my BetterPhoto online photo courses: Creative Light and Composition and Creative Close-ups
AFTER - Metal Wall at Sunset ... (c) Kerry Drager
warm late-day side light to emphasize shadows; 105mm lens, f22 @ 1/10th sec.; 100 ISO; tripod
BEFORE - Metal Wall at Midday ... (c) Kerry Drager
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