 BetterPhoto Member |
Best time of day to photograph outside Hello! I recently did a session outdoors and it was pretty sunny. Just about all of my 'really' good shots were overexposed and I was wondering what the best time of day is to shoot? I was automatic mode and I'm guessing that was my first problem. I'm in Ohio to give you an idea of where I live. I've heard that first thing in the morning or in the evening is best. I did my session at 2pm. Thanks for your help!
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- Bob Cournoyer Contact Bob Cournoyer Bob Cournoyer's Gallery  |
First two or three hours in the morning.....check your pics, recharge your batteries, have lunch and take a nap....then the last couple/three hours before the sun goes down. I don't think auto mode matters, it's harshness of light....I think. Bob
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Karma Wilson |
2 PM would give you very harsh light except on a cloudy day (I love cloudy days for shooting many subjects, including portraits, flowers and macros). I agree with Bob--morning and afternoon light is better. Sunset lighting is a favorite of mine for portraits with sidelighting. I think auto mode should almost never be used. And that's coming from someone who used to use it exclusively! The more I learn about photography the more I realize that creative zones are what give the photographer the "power" to manipulate light and color to their purposes. So though I think you can get good shots in auto zone it's much nicer to have more command of your equipment. I'm just learning all of this myself. I suggest the book Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson, an instructor here. I find it immensely helpful. Karma
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Kerry L. Walker |
Robert and Karma are correct. The morning hours, evening hours, and cloudy days are the best times to shoot. Personally, I do like autoexposure. Unless there is a reason I need to override my camera's meter reading, I always shot in auto mode - aperature preferred. I NEVER use Program mode. The camera I use the most doesn't even have it. I like to be able to control the DOF. If the shutter speed falls too low, I grab the tripod.
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- Bob Cournoyer Contact Bob Cournoyer Bob Cournoyer's Gallery |
Odd that I never really noticed before after all this time. Kerry, your "I NEVER" smacked me in the back of the head. I always have my camera (digital rebel) on Program mode, don't ask me why cuz I rarely change anything 'cept the "ev". I met Bryan Peterson last year...had me walk around all day with the camera cemented on Aperture priority. Makes one stop and think about what they are shooting and what/or how much they want focused. It's early, I ramble....:-) Bob
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Karma Wilson |
Kerry, I wouldn't consider aperture priority "auto" mode! :-) Both cameras I've had considered "aperture pritority" a creative zone. Auto is full "auto" everything, and it can really bite! :-) I use apeture pritory and shutter pritority quite often. Karma
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Kerry L. Walker |
Well, consider my age and what I started shooting with (an old Argus RF camera and a Yashicamat). One of my cameras (Minolta SRT-201) has only manual mode. Don't use that camera much. Another (Minolta X700) has AP & Program. Never use the Program. My Pentax 645N has AP, SP, P, M. All I ever use is the AP or M. My favorite camera is the first that I had that had an auto mode of any kind (OM-2N). Bought it in lieu of the AE-1 because it was AP auto instead of SP auto. It has a 3 mode swith, AP auto, manual and off. That is why I consider AP to be auto. Heck, I only have one camera that is autofocus and only one of the lenses for it is autofocus. Guess I am old and old school. By the way, the camera I really want is a Leica M-7, manual focus, AP auto (& manual) RF camera. Still like the RFs.
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BetterPhoto Member |
45 degrees is always perfect
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