Two great times to take a photograph! What's your favorite and explain?

-- John L. Blue (bluerose@hotmail.com), May 23, 2000

Answers

John.

First, please allow me to take issue with your exclamation "...Two great times to take a photograph!"

A *picture* is "taken", usually by someone who is inept in the field of photography. Though, if you are reading the "Inspiration" thread, you will see that some knowledgeable photographers do "take pictures".

A *photograph* is made; it is not there for the taking. There are a relative few persons who are able to translate a subject into a meaningful photograph. Art or not, the process must be mastered and internalized to produce work that connects with the spirit; even if the connection is only with the photographer.

That said, I prefer to shoot in the late afternoon. In particular, if I am in North America or some parts of Europe, then for me the light is magical at that time of day. This is especially true in late August through October.

But don't discount morning light. It is a cold light that can be extremely powerful and moving.

Regards.

Jason

-- Jason Kefover (jkefover@york.tec.sc.us), May 24, 2000.

Allow me to ask another question. Why is it that so many photographers believe that there are only these two ideal types of light to "make" or "take" (your preference) photographs ?

-- jim megargee (mvjim@interport.net), May 24, 2000.

Making or taking - for me the best time is sunrise. Light is really fine, air is clean and clear, there usually is not so much mist or haze in the morning. Plants are fresh with dew and flowers opening.

That said, I take/make more pictures/photographs at sunset.... the Sun gets up so early or I have to go to work or... Very often I have to be satisfied with the second best time.

Sakari

-- Sakari Makela (sakari.makela@koulut.vantaa.fi), May 25, 2000.

Allow me to ask another question. Why is it that so many photographers believe that there are only these two ideal types of light to "make" or "take" (your preference) photographs ?

I dont think anyone would say that only sunrise and sunset are the only two ideal lighting situations. The reasons that good lighting occurs at sunrise and sunset are that the light is raking across the scene giving good shadow definition, as well as the fact that the light richer and warmer at the extremes of the day. Glaring mid-day sun is pretty unappealing because of the higher color temperature and the harsh, glaring character of the light direction. But mid-day can also be a great time to shoot. If it is raining and misty out, the clouds soften the light, giving virtually no shadows, the colors are more saturated because of the lack of glare off of surfaces, and everything has an altered character to explore. Alternatively on a hot dry day, you can head into the deep woods where the forest canopy is filtering the light gving it a softer character, with little spot lights piercing through to the forest floor.

It is not that good light only comes at two times of the day, but that each photographic situation will have some lighting conditions that are better than others, and the job of the photographer is to recognise the good lighting and capitolize on it.

-- Fritz M. Brown (brownf@idhw.state.id.us), May 25, 2000.

I prefer late afternoon.Good shadows, plenty of light and most people are at work or on their way home. Mornings are good as well but I'm not a morning person :-)

-- Robert Orofino (rorofino@iopener.net), May 25, 2000.

Why is it that some folks are so hung up on attitude and pretension that they feel the need to assert their semantic superiority at the drop of lens cap?

I don't make or take, I shoot!

-- Sean yates (yatescats@yahoo.com), May 29, 2000.

p.s.

This being a B&W discussion group, what's the diff?

-- Sean yates (yatescats@yahoo.com), May 29, 2000.

Sean be a good boy! We create Silver Gelatin Prints Utilizing AgX Media. Didn't you know ?;-)

-- Robert Orofino (rorofino@iopener.net), May 30, 2000.

I prefer shooting at night, when it's dark and the light is illusory.

-- Jeff Spirer (jeff@spirer.com), May 31, 2000.

I like overcast days.... the darker more diffuse the light the better.. just me...

-- Trib (linhof6@hotmail.com), June 07, 2000.

Appreciate these here answers, now I'm gonna go out and make a photograph that I just took and see how it comes out, I'm hoping it comes out lookin' like a picture, if it don't, I'll try, try, again until I get it right.

-- John L. Blue (bluerose@hotmail.com), July 02, 2000.