Light is what brings a photograph to life. The time of day plays a crucial role in how an image appears. Sunset and sunrise are the ideal moments for shooting.
Softness, warmth, and the golden hour.
When the sun is close to the horizon, its light becomes soft and warm, filling the photos with bright golden hues. This adds warmth to both the skin and surroundings, something that cannot be achieved at noon. Such light creates a unique atmosphere and liveliness.
Twilight — the magic after sunset.
After sunset, twilight follows, when the sky continues to change color, creating a soft, cool light that’s perfect for portraits. During this time, shadows almost disappear, and even imperfect skin appears soft and even. This light does not emphasize wrinkles and creates harmonious, gentle images. However, it’s important to remember that this moment lasts only about 10 minutes, so you need to capture portraits within this short window.
Less contrast.
At noon, the sun is high, creating harsh shadows. Sunset and sunrise provide softer light, which highlights details without the harsh contrasts.
Colors that can’t be repeated.
Sunset and sunrise paint the sky in pink, orange, and golden tones, colors that can’t be reproduced at any other time of day.
Why avoid shooting at noon?
When the sun is at its zenith, its light becomes harsh and direct. People start squinting, expressions lose their naturalness, and strong shadows highlight every line and imperfection, such as dark circles under the eyes, pores, and wrinkles. This light lacks softness and harmony, leaving the photos feeling tense. This type of lighting is better suited for silhouette or dynamic shots, where the face isn’t the main focus. If shooting does take place at noon, it’s advisable to wear sunglasses to reduce the squinting effect and protect the eyes from the intense light.
Sunset and sunrise soften the light, emphasizing the natural beauty of the face. The resulting photos are soft and harmonious.
Examples
Sunset:
The warm backlighting that gently highlights you with a soft, golden glow.
Sunrise:
Soft light that adds a sense of tenderness to the photos.
Twilight:
Cool light that creates soft, even images.
Noon:
Harsh, intense light that creates deep shadows and contrasts. It’s better to choose locations with a dense background, such as trees or a wall that provides shade.
Cloudy weather at noon:
Soft, even light with no harsh shadows, creating a more delicate atmosphere.
Each photograph is a moment that deserves to be captured at the right time. Sunset, sunrise, and twilight are those moments when the light makes the shot special.