Congratulations Spanner on winning the Camera Settings Challenge CSC 14-07 Freezing Motion
Spanner has asked me to host the next challenge since she wouldn’t have time. My schedule is also going to be full during this time so I ask other photographers to PLEASE add your thoughts, advise, input and feel free to add suggestions! If you learned a thing or two (or much more) about this challenge – SHARE SHARE SHARE!
Do some of the camera settings intimidate you? Do you want to learn how to develop your photography skills and learn how to use your camera effectively without always going back to the “auto” function? These challenges are for you!
This week’s challenge is: GOLDEN HOUR PHOTOGRAPHY!
Explanation:
What & When- is the golden hour you ask? It is the time period before the sunset or the time shortly after a sunrise. It may be an hour or longer – really depends on your location and season.
WHY – Just because! Actually it is typically the best time of day (twice a day) that offer the best lighting, opportunity for very creative effects, gorgeous shadows, landscapes, portraits, rim lighting, etc. I LOVE golden hour photography – but you need to be prepared and work fast since it is a relatively short window of opportunity.
How –
MODE - For this challenge you are ONLY ALLOWED TO SHOOT IN MANUAL OR APERTURE priority. No presets, auto, or Professional setting is allowed or you will be cheating and I know you are not a cheater.
Aperture – Suggested setting to start with is between F8 – F22 but that is not a hard rule it is only a suggestion for a starting point. Exactly what you set it on will depend on the effect you want.
ISO – Set it between 100 – 200
Shutter Speed – This will depend if you have a tripod, and how much light you need to bring into the photo and what you want lit.
Exposure -
“To light up your subject in the foreground set EV (exposure value) to +1, +2, or +3, alternatively you can also slow down your shutter speed or use a fill flash
To create a shadow effect with your foreground subject set EV to -1, -2, -3. You can also choose to make your shutter speed faster” (quoted from the link below).
http://oneslidephotography.com/photography-tips-creating-extraordinary-picture-during-golden-hours/#more-969
TRIPOD – Recommended but not required
White Balance – DO NOT use Auto but set it to cloudy or use your grey card.
Experienced photographers who are knowledgeable in this particular setting are encouraged to offer “kind and constructive” suggestions on the posted entries. Those entering this challenge want to learn and improve.
This challenge starts today (May 8th and last until May 27th at 12:00pm Central Time Zone. All photos MUST BE TAKEN DURING THESE DATES to be considered. Enter as many as you would like- the idea is to practice & learn. Because you are limited to the time of day and my schedule which is limited this challenge will be longer.
TAG YOUR PHOTO CSC14-8 AND post your picture in this thread to receive feedback from other experienced photographers specific to this challenge.
Voting will take place , May 28 –May 29 and the winner will be announced May 30th. The winner of the challenge will either host the next challenge or select an experienced photographer to host a new challenge.
Expect to receive constructive suggests on how to improve your skills.
How to post your photo on this link:
1) Go to your page that has the photo you wish to post.
2) Copy the code when you click to the right of the word "size" which is located at the bottom right section of that page.
3) Return to this thread and paste the code under comments
Stretch your skills and have fun!
Here are a couple examples of some golden hour shots that I took - each with a different topic.
PLEASE NOTE EVERYONE...... I WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER STARTING FRIDAY MAY 16TH AND MIKE GIFFORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE OVER FOR ME. HE IS AN EXPERIENCED PHOTOGRAPHER THAT I KNOW WILL ADD A HUGE VALUE TO THIS THREAD. THANK YOU SO MUCH MIKE!!! @mikegifford
I love the opportunity to practice and get some constructive criticism! I'll likely pass on the AM Golden Hour, but have loved the late afternoon sun... I'll think about subject matter over coffee in the morning....
My favourite time of day - the evening, that is, definitely not the morning! I'm pleased CSC is still active. Had been wondering what had happened to it. Thanks for hosting, Kathy. @myhrhelper
This is a good time of year for me to try this. So I have put it on my list of things to keep in mind when doing my photography in the next couple of weeks.
If you have an iPhone, there is an app that will tell you exactly when Golden Hour begins and ends in your timezone. I call it "Magic Hour" and that is what the app is called that I use. I love this time of day for pictures of my family!
@spanner Oh you are welcome happy to help, please feel free to add your comments to photos you see or even participating in the challenge yourself. Oh I am sorry for calling you a she instead of he, it was late at night when I wrote this.
@pammac Wow didn't know that - thanks! Oh I can't wait to see what you come up with! Also feel free to comment on this challenge - really want to keep it up on page 1 it will easily disappear after a couple weeks.
You have been tagged for this challenge since you voted on the last challenge. I encourage you to take part in this challenge AND PLEASE feel free to give suggestions or comments since many of you are experienced photographers that could add value to help other 365'rs learn!
I'll definitely join in! I've been enjoying all the challenges and I definitely need the motivation to keep using manual. I often get lazy and go back to "P" mode *facepalm*
It's supposed to be rainy the next few days, so not particularly golden in the golden hour... but hopefully this weekend should be nice!!
@not_left_handed@myhrhelper You're welcome! I find it easier to plan my evening when I know exactly when the hour starts. Not to mention how much time I have left. :)
I'd like to give this a try. Looking up the timing for my area it seems that "golden hour" lasts about 30 minutes so I'll have to be fast.
I guess if you add up the morning half hour and the evening one it does give a total of about 1 hour per day!
I was off the mark at the get-go, but I have a question about what sort of camera might be disallowed if it doesn't have a manual setting... I'll switch cameras tomorrow, but the question still stands...is it just to make the challenge more even? (I also have a question about the coloration which feels neither "white enough" for a gardenia or "quite golden"...
A morning landscape shot from my window, just before going to work, for the camera settings challenge (golden hour). Being a handheld shot, I've kept my aperture high (using Aperture mode) and dialed down some exposure compensation. Also, I've shot RAW in order to post-adjust the white balanceto "goldenize" even more the golden hour (but not too much: colours are basically as seen...)
I don't use a cell phone (for the app) but I just googled this...look a bit intimidating at first glance, but I'm going back to study it... http://www.golden-hour.com/
Regarding the Golden Hour site above, they seem to be off by a couple of hours (starting with what the time is on my computer...yet they know exactly where I live...hmmmmm) Check it out and make the adjustment. The minute seems to be right when you get the hour right...
@myhrhelper a couple of questions others may have... Red and magenta seem terribly difficult to capture...any suggestions? ...I do find my focus is crisper with that intense light...liking that! ...Will post one of my hour's worth of photos and I'm sure I'll have more questions...thanks!
@d_lopes If I may jump in, I know Kathy wanted people to take part, add their photos and keep the challenge alive. This is my very first challenge, too, and already I'm learning so much! Her instructions above are clearly written and excellent (I copied them to a document & highlighted what was important to remember. It's easy to find and refer to.) Please join in!
Kathy, @myhrhelper My photo caption on my site explains my challenge parameters I was dealing with. I had a photo instructor (I've taken one 4-day intensive class) who showed us how to capture the sun splash. I like them for the most part. Can you add any thoughts about using them or, additionally, light rays pouring into a photo when shooting into low sun. ... I found my Nikon D5000 with the 18-55 kit lens did not capture the crispness that I can get with the Coolpix. (For the life of me, I can't seem to capture the tight crispness that many others can, but perhaps that class is for another day!) SO...here's my picture...
@not_left_handed@annied Fantastic, glad yo will participate @polarvrtx Getting out of auto is what the purpose of these challenges really are - to learn to work those settings. So glad you plan to participate. @denisefuller Oh I hope you are able to participate, @barbarajdonnellan@jennywren@gardencat@voiceprintz So glad you are all going to participate @iqscotland I know capturing the golden hour can be tricky since the weather doesn't always cooperate but this is really a beautiful shot! @bella_ss Great, glad you will join in! @barbarajdonnellan Pretty flower I can see some of the lighting here. Perhaps you can try another to capture even more of the lighting effect @cindy_k very pretty @Weezilou this is very pretty and a good example of the lighting, however yes only manual and aperture priority will be allowed since it is a camera settings challenge rather than pure technique. Back in day one I actually started these challenges because I purchased my first dslr and wanted to learn how to use those settings. As far as "colors" it doesn't have to be a "golden" golden hour in color it is more of the effect you can get using the lighting. I think a white flower can make it more of a challenge to get a good example of the benefits of this lighting but actually your white flower does show good shadow & lights and is very beautiful. @rafesmar@rafesmar this is simply wonderful! You really adjusted those settings to have a gorgeous effect. @whatsfordessert just beautiful light - the lighting did add a nice transparency effect, interesting shadow and nice bokeh, @d_lopes please enter would love to have you join in - @kathyboyles looks like pretty flowers but too dark to enjoy. I wasn't able to actually see what settings you used but a couple things to try if you didn't already slow down your shutter speed to add more light. You may need to use a tripod to avoid the image from getting too blurry. If you don't have a tripod use a stable ledge, or something to rest the camera on or against. I would also try adjusting the exposure EV to +1, 2 or 3. The aperture was a starting point so if you need to have a higher aperture (lower F stop) then do so.
@Weezilou I will get back to you on your questions - but I think this photo is really beautiful and I love the lights and shadows and the beautiful sun flare and the sun flare reflection
@myhrhelper Thank you for the assistance, clarification about the challenge being a "camera settings challenge (and I'm delighted to have help with this!), and "classroom-level" critique. Amongst my images I took yesterday, I bracketed a few that I thought might be interesting HDR images. Should I bother to try that at this time as well? and is that time of day a qualifier for an HDR image? Thanks again for your help.
@myhrhelper Kathy. I have been experimenting with my camera (Canon EOS 70D) and have given up on the manual setting. I can't get anything that looks like a picture out with any combo of settings unless I put some things back. I have the lens on manual focus but have to use the camera in what is called A+ mode to get a picture. I think I can change the settings that you want in that mode. If I can't I'm going to have to give up. Kathy
@d_lopes Both shots are just beautiful. The first one demonstrates the beautiful shadows you can get during this time of day and the second one is just lovely -well done.\
@kathyboyles no, no, no you can't give up. We can help you. Kathy for me I didn't just dive into manual settings all of them at once.
You have a very nice camera so let's help you learn how to use it and that is exactly what these challenges are all about.
You should start in the AV which is the aperture priority mode. Your camera will automatically adjust the shutter speed. After you turn the dial to AV turn the main dial until you get F8 (your camera will adjust the shutter speed for you). If your shutter speed ends up too slow your photos will be blurry if you don't have a tripod. Then dial it to F7 or F5.6 play with it until it brings in the amount of light you need. For this challenge I suggest you DON'T USE AUTO FOCUS for this challenge. you need to take it slower and learn one thing at a time - get good with it then move on to the next. YOU CAN DO THIS!! .
Below is a link and information I copied from that link.
ALSO ANY CANON USERS you may have advice to offer her as well - I use a Nikon.
the Av (aperture-priority autoexposure): Rotate the Main dial to set the f-stop. The camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed.
"The range of possible f-stops depends on your lens and, with most zoom lenses, on the zoom position (focal length) of the lens. For the 18–135mm kit lens, for example, you can select apertures from f/3.5 to f/22 when zoomed to the shortest focal length (18mm). At the maximum focal length (135mm), the aperture range is from f/5.6 to f/36.
If you're handholding the camera, be careful that the shutter speed doesn't drop so low that you run the risk of camera shake. If your scene contains moving objects, make sure that the shutter speed is fast enough to stop action (or slow enough to blur it, if that's your creative goal)."
@Weezilou I have done HDR images during the golden hour and I think they work beautifully - it will just depend on what you actually shoot and how you process it.
Regarding reds & color - I shoot in raw and use Lightroom to adjust my color. If that is not an option you may need to add more light so the reds show up - but don't add too much to take away from the benefits of the golden hour.
Do you have a grey card? Using a grey card will help you get real colors.
Of course you can try slowing your shutter speed to bring in more light but don't go too slow if you aren't using a tripod.
@myhrhelper I do not have a grey card, but will investigate that! I shoot RAW images and have PS on my computer, but I'm only just learning about HDR, too. (Reading again about the grey card helping to get real colors, I'm off to purchase one! Red, Magenta and bright orange are not friends of my camera! Question: What's the most direct way to slow the shutter speed when in Manuel or Aperture? I can hear it when it happens (and see the results) but what should I be looking for? (PS...the information to K Boyles looks quite helpful...I'll have to read through it slowly. Thanks so much!)
@myhrhelper I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying this! No longer do I wonder what to photograph! One hour "in the can" and I can't decide which to use! Here's another take from yesterday (5-09) Next, I'll see what surprises are in store today!
Love the star burst and silhouettes - such a beautiful shot.
I am really happy you are enjoying this - I love the golden hour myself - it just makes everything pop!
Here is a link to your camera manual
On page 107 talks about setting the picture control - perhaps you may want to try vivid to see if it brings out the colors better. You may want to add additional exposure itself (page 90).
@myhrhelper thank you.
I learned how to use the EV just yesterday, thank you for the tips. I used to get crazy silhouettes, but now I know how to light up my foreground!
After uploading more photos do I tell you which one will be my final? Do I tell you which one I chose to be voted on?
Sorry for the many questions.
I wanted to try both the morning and evening hours so last evening I went into the garden for the evening one. My garden is surrounded by trees and houses etc. so I don't have a clear view to the eastern horizon but took this shot of a bud illuminated by a ray of the warm light.
This morning I made the effort to drive down to the lake to get a clear view to the horizon and a real gold dipped shot of the lake with the sun rising behind it. Any comments on either shot are welcomed.
I took quite a few other shots this morning too so you will probably be seeing more as I get them downloaded from my camera. ( Or is that uploaded...can never figure that out.)
PS: I have tried every way I can to tag these CSC 14-8 but they simply refuse to show up under that tag...don't know what I am doing wrong.
First attempt at this. Saw the beautiful sky. Set camera to basic settings, F11, cloudy WB standard exp and clicked! Hope to take something with more light rays, weather permitting. Not sure if this quite fits golden hour although it was taken at that time?
@gardencat I just looked at your tag on your thread and you have put a , after the csc and left of the 08, I think on the other. the scs14-8 altogether should work fine. hope this helps.
@myhrhelper My goodness, Kathy, I can't thank you enough! I leave my little Nikon on Vivid and like the color much better, but never thought to do the same on my big one! Thanks...that's easy enough to do! I'm not sure I understand "add additional exposure" other than on each photo as I shoot, so I'll read up on that. Busy day tomorrow, of course... I'll be happy for some fresh photo opportunities down by the beach.
@jennywren Thanks Jen I've fixed it now. I did try to edit it before but it wouldn't accept the new tag, but just now it did, and my pictures have been added to the group.
@Weezilou Here is another shot from the other morning. I exposure bracketed this one while shooting, and then HDR processed it.
The processing brought up the detail of rocks etc. on the lake bottom I think and also allowed me to show more colour in the sky.
@gardencat Joanne, thanks for a visual to see what can be attained! I'd love to combine an ability to learn both at the same time! This is what I always loved about classroom learning...we can learn from other "students" as well as the teacher!
My first image on this thread today comes with a huge thank you to you, Kathy @myhrhelper for helping with camera settings as well as light! Before now I have struggled to get a crisp photo of this orchid. 3 Cheers for The Golden hour!
@d_lopes So happy to hear you are learning new things in the process. There is no limit in fact these challenges are designed to allow you to keep practicing during the challenge. Tag them all - I'll end up selecting the final 5 (or designate someone to do so).I saw some of the other shots you took they are really gorgeous and fantastic examples of golden hour photography -
@gardencat Joanne the photos are very pretty but my favorite of the ones you posted is the golden sun on the water. The golden hour turned that what could have been a very plain shot to stunning.
@jennywren Jen the sky is beautiful. I look forward to seeing others as well!
@pcarlaw Beautiful lighting - it makes that door inviting!
@gardencat This shot is very pretty and I love the detail in the rocks. I think I would have tried to turn down the exposure just a little more to bring out a little more color in the sky - but it is very pretty. I love the shot with the rocks that you did - the lighting is excellent.
@Weezilou you are a HUGE encouragement! I love how you are trying shot after shot and the last photo you posted here is gorgeous!! wow I can really see how the lighting just makes that flower pop!
Here is my first entry of golden hour photography. This one was taken at Lake Whitney TX when a flock of ducks took off from the water right in front of me. Luckily I had my 300mm lens.
@lambda both are beautiful but I think the one with the little girl really takes advantage of the golden hour and how much softer the lighting is on the skin and how pretty the hair is highlighted.
@kathyboyles Wow Kathy you are finding the prettiest flower gardens - this is so beautiful and I love the soft background.You are doing so wonderful and I'm encouraged at how well you are working that camera. I have a personal challenge for you now to take another photo of the garden but step back and don't crop it in so tight - you may see even more benefits of the golden hour lighting. See if you can catch some lights and shadows too.Also take a shot with two different apertures and see the difference between them. Kathy Boyles you Rock!
@myhrhelper Kathy okay. I have the opportunity because I'm feeding my neighbor's cat at 6:00am and she ha gorgeous flowers and a cat! I'll try what you want me to tomorrow. Thanks for all the advice. You are great! Kathy
@kathyboyles Kathy, you got a wonderful image of this sweet-faced cat! I don't know how much post processing you used, but as an image, I'm very drawn to this.
Louise and Ken. I was surprised too by the cat's eyes. I have taken several pictures of her but never had this happen. I guess it wa the camera settings. But I probably can't reproduce it as I was just trying things this morning.i. Kathy
@ricaa Hi Rica...If Kathy will excuse me for jumping in (as we all like speedy replies), I'm sort of the self-designated WalMart greeter...I know Kathy would want you to join in! Read all the parameters for the project at the top of the thread (I printed them out & highlighted points I didn't want to miss). Find your Golden Hours via Google and start taking pictures. I post to my site, and bring that link here so we see images for which we'd each like help & suggestions. Tag your photo CSC14-8 so we can all look at all this group has photographed. You might want to look at than and get started! Welcome!
@kathyboyles I've had this happen a few times in cat shots. I think it is like red eye in people pictures. The back of the eye reflects the light but for some reason in cats it comes out green and in people the reflected light is red.
@kathyboyles You caused me to do a little more research and I can now add that cat's have a special reflective layer, so any bright light can cause that green reflection. People don't have that special layer so what you see in red eye is the reflection off the retina of the eye which looks red because of all the blood vessles there. and which usually only happens with sudden bright light ( ie flash). Amazing what I have learned because of 365.
@gardencat I thank you for your information. I don't think I was using a flash however the sun was just coming over the horizon. I'm pretty sure I had my flash turned off but would not swear to it. Sounds like either the sunrise or my flash must have done it. I hope it was the sunrise. Kathy
@kathyboyles yes Kathy I think the sunrise. My last post was a bit confusing, to clarify;, cats with that extra reflective layer in their eyes can throw the green at you from any bright light but people, without the reflective layer, usually need a real bright and sudden light like a flash to produce that red glow.
Ok, here's my first try! f2.8, ISO 100, 1/125, and cloudy white balance at 50mm. The white balance really made a big difference! I think I've pretty much only ever used auto WB before and this really brought out the true golden tones of the moment.
@andrewkru@polarvrtx Those are both gorgeous! I'm finding Kathy's suggestions and assistance have opened new vistas for me! I'm learning wonderful new things about camera settings...already more here than I felt I got in an expensive 4-day class a couple years ago!
Yesterday I posted the following photo... In actuality, I was not trying to get a picture of Ken, but of him only as part of the backdrop. I asked for suggestions and got some good help, doing my homework adjustments, (though I wonder if they're really a part of this Golden Hour project). Here is one of my last Golden Hour photos on May 10, and I'll add the link to my homework if you're interested...
Kathy @myhrhelper I'd still like to know the general consensus about lens flare.
@kathyboyles What a beautiful photo of the cat - those eyes have it - eyes are the most important feature in pet and people portrait (which is another topic). Look at you rocking that camera with those flowers!
@ricaa Oh I am so glad your question was answered - PLEASE take part in this challenge. Enter as many and as often as you wish. Yes be sure to tag your photo so it will be found when judging the entries. Also we encourage those photos to be added to this thread for feedback and as a learning tool, it also helps keep it active in the commnents
Thank you @Weezilou for answering for! This is really an open forum and designed for everyone/anyone to comment answer questions etc.
@gardencat I really had no idea about that effect with cats, I don't usually take a lot of cat pictures because I don't have one so that was very insightful.
@andrewkru Andrew that is stunning - beautiful lighting and I like the globe technique that just adds to the interest of this shot.
@polarvrtx Really beautiful - the lighting just makes this shot so compelling.
@transatlantic99 Hopefully you will be able to take part - it isn't the sunset but the special lighting before the sunset or after sunrise. I know some locations really are more of a challenge though so hopefully you can keep your eyes open since the challenge will be open for awhile.
@Weezilou Wow thank you, I am so glad you are learning and you truly are an inspiration with your enthusiasm! The shot by the pool is very nice and you are the sunburst master! I will say I do favor some of your previous shots more for the purpose of this challenge because the benefits of the golden hour show through even more on some of them.
@kathyboyles This is your best one yet for this challenge. I clearly can see the shadows and how the lighting effects this photo. How are you liking using Aperture priority?
PLEASE NOTE EVERYONE...... I WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO A COMPUTER STARTING FRIDAY AND MIKE GIFFORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE OVER FOR ME. HE IS AN EXPERIENCED PHOTOGRAPHER THAT I KNOW WILL ADD A HUGE VALUE TO THIS THREAD. THANK YOU SO MUCH MIKE!!! @mikegifford
As noted by Kathy Burzynski I'll be jumping in here to help out while she is out-of-pocket. The Golden Hour is a great challenge and very rewarding since you can get great natural lighting effects without having to try to produce them in a post-editing effort. Remember to have fun and set-up early for capturing images since the Golden Hour usually happens quicker than you expect!
Please tag posts in this challenge thread with @mikegifford if you specifically want a response since I'm not the originator of the challenge I will not receive direct notifications of posts. Thanks!
Here are two I posted yesterday. It was 102 degrees and all the bending and squatting for the images I wanted had me in a sweat! I just thought you ought to know what it took behind the scenes to get these pictures :D
(for a laugh and some social commentary, see the third photo I took on this date. I purposefully turned it from "warm" to cool" to make a statement... If you've ever been told you're "not allowed to take photographs here", perhaps you'll relate!
I wanted to take more shots of the sheep grazing, but they spotted me and thought I had food. The tranquil scene vanished as they all rushed up and followed me along the fence. I felt guilty that I had nothing for them!
@kathyboyles Kathy such beautiful flower shots - I think you are having fun with that camera! I looked up what time golden hour is for you Kathy and it is around 5:49 - 6:24 am or 7:05 - 7:40pm in San Diego CA - that is very early. Were those morning shots taken during that time. Another thing for you to try would be to look for those spots that have beautiful light/shadows. What an adorable kitty. Keep practicing different aperture settings. What aperture settings are you using? The "exif" on your photos doesn't show any of that information.
@flyrobin Just love the beautiful lighting in these simply gorgeous!
@Weezilou They are all very beautiful but I have to say that out of the recent three posted here I like the flowers with the moth on it - very pretty lighting.
@sioux Beautiful scene - I love seeing photos with sheep grazing. Where is the close-up of the sheep? Cows, sheep and horses all seem to go by you when you take their pictures - cows seem to be especially curious.
@myhrhelper Kathy. I looked up the Golden Hour for San Diego and this morning I was out at 5:40am with my camera. I took photos between then and about 6:00am. I am using apertures close to 11. I don't have my tripod with me and with a higher aperture setting my pictures are blurry. I don't know how to get the photo info to show on 365. Please tell me how. Thanks. Kathy
@kathyboyles Hi Kathy what editing program are you using - some delete the exif info. I am guessing the f11 blur might be because the automatically detected shutterspeed is a little slow. You might like to set an ISO of 400 and this might make it easier in A+ for the camera to select a faster speed without a tripod.
@ltodd I'll check on the editing program. I'm not using A+. I'm using Av and changing the aperture. I'm using an ISO of 200. Would a higher one be better? I am very new. Thanks. Kathy
I am officially in love with this time of day for photos! I'm able to get dozens that I would gladly upload for this project as the focus is so much crisper than my photos of the same item at noon... (Any explanation, Kathy or Mike, or Lyn? @ltodd@myhrhelper@mikegifford)
If anyone doesn't know how to get a sunburst effect, I'll be happy to explain the setting I use for it. It works nearly every time...
@kathyboyles Good to see you've jumped onto this challenge and are trying new camera settings! There is no better way to learn than to try new tricks! Your last post is a great looking outline Silhouette and you can just see the golden sunset on the upper left. If you want the foreground to be a bit lighter you can set your exposure bias (EV or +/-) setting up +1 or +2, or you can experiment with the AE-L (on Nikon, Canon may have a different name) button. This is the Auto Exposure Lock.
I'm a big fan of watching videos for training and I have a number of favorite channels I watch for learning new tricks with the camera.
I tend to set my cameras to only AE-L since my subject may be at a different distance from me and I usually want a focused picture (but with the exposure settings locked).
Example: In the above picture if you initially point your camera into the dark region of the silhouette and press the shutter release halfway down and then press the AE-L button, your camera will lock in the exposure settings. You can then move the camera and point slightly upwards towards the palm tree (while keeping the AE-L pressed) and press the shutter release. You'll be amazed at what you'll see and the versatility this brings to your capturing of images.
@kathyboyles Kathy, by the way, the AE-L button only functions while in a program mode like aperture priority. If using manual camera settings (not lens adjustment - keep lens setting on auto-focus) you have control over aperture, shutter speed and ISO already. Hope this helps.
@mikegifford Mike. Thank you for the help. I stay away from manual. I will try AE next - after this hefty challenge today. You are a great source. Kathy
Every afternoon feels like "Christmas Eve" in that I spend an hour gathering golden gifts and look forward to opening the packages before midnight. I have to let you know that Mike's excellent information and video set me off in the right direction today,,,I had no idea what that button was for! I couldn't be happier, knowing how to use it. I have to add that at least one hour's concentrated effort really helps to crystallize how all the buttons and dials work, and rather than be just a casual photographer, I think that's a good exercise to continue. Thanks Kathy and Mike! @mikegifford
@kathyboyles Kathy, your last few shots are looking good. Your EXIF info isn't being displayed (are you setting that off or is your transfer/editing software deleting it?) so I can't tell if you're using @ltodd 's suggestion of ISO 400. The focus is better and the lighting is looking good. Try for low angles and no obstructions for crisp clear focusing. You don't always have to have flowers (or any main subject) straight on or facing front - try even underneath if you can make it happen. Keep up the progress!
@mikegifford Mike.the inef info was there when I posted the photos. I did not edit them on purpose to keep the ibfo. I don't know what happened to it. Any ideas? Kathy
@mikegifford@kathyboyles My morning began with some photos about 7:15 AM which sparked some conversation about The Golden Hour settings...and this may help Kathy if I am correct... Ken, ever the engineer, said that if the horizon line is straight, as in the desert or at the beach, the Golden hour time clock would be correct... Photographing in my yard (for example) with obstructed views blocked by houses and walls, the sun rises (or drops) from my horizon before it would 6 miles away at the beach. I've used the hour as a guide, but I "look at the light"?... is it creating shadows on the blossoms and also highlighting areas of them...are the shadows getting long?...If I 'm shooting with the sun behind my subject, can I slightly raise the lens and have the sun blast into my viewfinder (at which time I back off the glare a little)... Also, think of the blue and orange filters you would use to create warm or cool tones... Even without a filter in post editing, does the reflective coloration appear "orange" or golden? I look for these situations while taking my photos, and you will know exactly when that light is gone, if you're taking pictures of a flower, for instance, bathed in that golden glow. Mike? @mikegifford Kathy's images are good, but she's missing the lighting... Am I correct or way off the mark? I want to help her have a success, as I only happened on this lighting situation a time or two and never knew when and how to replicate it. I'm so happy with the path this has set me on, I want Kathy to feel this good also. (And FYI, I'm just about 80 miles north of San Diego along the coast, too, so our situations should be somewhat similar). Gook luck Kathy! I hope this helps...it's 2:45...go out and see if the lighting doesn't change around 5:30...
@kathyboyles I'm on this ride with you, Kathy, but if you look for shadows and light like in the rose and gardenia just above, you're heading the right direction!
@kathyboyles I see nice shadowing, especially in the ones with the while flowers! Keep at it, and watch for the sun-splashed items at that hour! Nicely done; your photos are lovely.
Morning and late afternoon today, I tried to capture the golden light. I posed a question earlier in this thread about how to determine "golden light" within the confines of a neighborhood with its homes & surrounding walls, unlike the flat horizons of a desert or beach. I feel "I can see it" when it happens, but can I trust my eyes when the listing says otherwise? @mikegifford@myhrhelper
Shadows are cast from hard and soft lighting. The Sun as a single point of light source is considered a hard light - thus the shadows are well defined and as the Sun gets low in the horizon (i.e. approaches the Golden Hour), shadows are long and you can get great looking effects as mentioned, this includes rim lighting and the golden tones. These tones can of course be enhanced with filters when shooting and in post editing. Soft lighting comes from many sources of light - diffuser, bouncing of items, soft boxes, etc. Watch this video if you have time:
@kathyboyles Great - you have the EXIF info now being uploaded! This is great stuff to know and look at for reference! Another valuable item to watch and understand is your histogram - especially as you're shooting. Using the histogram as your guide will help in understanding the 3 primary variables of aperture, shutter speed and ISO.
@Weezilou Did the response about hard and soft light answer your question about lighting? If directly from the Sun, it will be hard light. If bounced off walls, overhangs and non-direct, then it will be softer light.
From Wikipedia: The term "hour" is used figuratively - the effect has no clearly defined duration and varies according to season and latitude (i.e. where you are on the earth and time of year). When the sun is near the horizon, sunlight travels through a greater depth of atmosphere, reducing the intensity of the direct light, so that more of the illumination comes from indirect light from the sky reducing the lighting ratio. More blue light is scattered, so if the sun is present, its light appears more reddish. In addition, the sun's small angle with the horizon produces longer shadows.
@Weezilou Hi Ken, Perhaps your images taken in Golden Hour light appear 'crisper' to you because there is more 'modelling' of the light. Look at the two lovely roses you posted on this page - the texture of the petals is more defined because the ridges are more apparent when the light is lower in the sky & so 'skims' over the surface of the rose. If you take the shot at midday or in shade, the lighting is much 'flatter'.
@ltodd Thanks Lyn...a good way to put it for sure. I was trying to explain in terms of hard and soft light. Your recent lunar push macro is a good example of low profile lighting to accentuate the textures and details.
I've wanted to participate but the sun hasn't been sunny many times during this hour. Or I haven't had the time. So finally this morning I dashed out to capture a photo. But the sun was flirting with the clouds and I really didn't have the time I wanted. So this is my first photo and I hope some of you will make some suggestions.
@kathyboyles Wow Kathy! You keep getting better and better! This looks great...I'm so happy for you! You certainly don't need any more coaching from me...I'm just here to cheer you along! Keep doing what you're doing and I'll stand aside to let Kathy, Mike and Lyn give you any more-specific instructions, but I think you turned the corner and there's no going back now! Yea!
@mikegifford Mike, that information is excellent! It makes me wish I could make a return trip to Tasmania as we were once there in July. The sun only made a low arch close to the horizon, and the light all day was remarkable, golden-toned and reddish as described in that article. NOW i understand what it was that I was seeing! I half understood lighting, but this practice and @ltodd Lyn's explanation make it snap into place. Thank you Lyn for explaining why it's not desirable to take outdoor photos at noon! I knew I shouldn't, but I never quite understood why, To both you and Mike, my sincere thanks... Your clarifications will now be a part of my understanding as I "try try again!"
Dorothy to Toto: "I think we're not in Kansas anymore!"
Ken and I have come up the coast to visit the family this week, so I've got A LOT of new subject matter! We're on a beautiful campus with lodging for the faculty members, so I've got a wealth of subject matter. There's even a gorgeous rose garden... I may take photos there, but I'm unlikely to be sharing them as, you may have noticed, I have flowers back home...
@joansmor Joan, the colors and shadows of the Golden Hour are in the picture now you need to get a chance to capture an interesting subject with the tones and textures. I hope the weather cooperates!
I left Ken to babysit while I chased the sun for 45 minutes. After this, there'll never be enough flowers in my back yard to satisfy me! I edited in RAW but did nothing to alter the color. WB was set on cloudy.
Here's a second from the early evening. I did a lot of walking to different sites to get tonight's photos. Now I'm too tired to post them all... Back tomorrow...
During this project, I'm finding myself taking more and more photos, having more and more success, but having less and less time to upload, sort and post! More important to me, though, is the learning curve. My "session" was at the beach today, and I had some questions... @mikegifford@myhrhelper Mike, I've been pressing the button to get my focus & light before repositioning the camera, but in a wide expanse like this *where* exactly should I focus, or, more importantly, pick my lighting choice? (Inland, and the sun is blown out...Sun, and inland turns black...) Of course I tried it many different ways, but I wondered if there's a technique. Second, is a sun flare/rainbow streak acceptable in a photo, or no? Is it to be avoided at all cost, or are there times one might keep it? If I have answers by tomorrow (Thursday) I can return to the beach to try again. Thanks so much! I really appreciate all the help you've been able to give me!
(one more: @mikegifford@myhrhelper , Kathryn @aponi asked a question on her site about using (and how to use) a lens hood. Should I be doing that for these photos? I've never really understood how it works, and in the case of this most recent picture, would it have helped, shooting into the sun? Again, thanks.
@Weezilou I set the aperture to 16 and the ISO to 500 when I'm doing sunset shots. Then, tweak from here. Some of that sepia is part of the golden glow of the time and event. However, you should be able to control the "glare" around the sun a bit more. Hopefully, others will have some more advice as well! :)
Been out of luck with opportunity and weather but saw this tonight. Not sure about it, but posted. My camera time wasnt right, forgot to change after clocks went forward.
@voiceprintz Thanks so much for the advice and guidance! I returned home last night to overcast skies and a to-do list that might last a month! I wish I could live in a bubble, study study and apply without all the distractions! Thanks for the help!
Thanks for the heads up Louise! Here's a golden hour photo from southern France, taken using three shots processed in Photomatrix and then cleaned up in Color Efex.
Well I'm back from vacation! It is great to see so much activity on this challenge and thank you @mikegifford for watching this thread and offering advice while I was gone. There is still a little time left to submit photos - the challenge ends tomorrow at noon (Tuesday US Central time).
@taffy That is just beautiful Taffy and the processing you used enhanced the photo really nicely.
@Weezilou What can I say you are just rocking this challenge and what really interests me is you didn't just stick to one subject but set out to make the most of this lighting while setting your camera to take such beautiful photos
@malcolm2 Those photos are simply beautiful and you really used that lighting to bring out the best in your scenery.
@lambda I love the touch of rim lighting from the sun behind this child and the face has the perfect amount of lighting as well
@smithak This is a little bit of a different twist great lighting and the colors pop - very cool. I especially liked this shot when I viewed it large
@kathyboyles My how you have grown this week in your photography - don't stop - very beautiful I hope you feel proud of how far you have come as well.
@jennywren how dramatic! looks like a storm is coming - I have a file of just clouds that I can use to plug into shots that have no sky - this looks like a keeper to me
@golftragic This is a fun and artistic shot with the blurr trees and long shadow!
@aponi Oh that looks like a gorgeous place to take vacation! Love how the lighting adds to the dramatic shadows and texture in this shot
@barbarajdonnellan Oh I love the lighting and reflection in this shot. Beautifully done
@lstasel your timing was perfect laura! Love the lighting
@lleo Wow what an absolutely beautiful collage! I can see why you decided to go with a collage since there are so many nice shots. Since the information doesn't show and I look for it on the threads what type of camera did you use for your shots?
@flyrobin Robin the lighting is gorgeous and I love the composition as well.
@wanabe Meredith this so really very lovely - I hope you enter many more challenges - I noticed that you had an aperture of f23 and then used a very slow shutter speed 8 seconds to let in the light and have the silky water . nicely done
@myhrhelper Thank you so much for the advice and encouragement! I did have several technique questions above the two "golden" photos of the beach sunset, and would loe some feedback when you have time. Thanks so much! @wanabe Meredith, I love "classes" because we learn from fellow students, too! I've been wondering what settings to use to get "that silky effect". Can't wait to be by the water again and try it! The outcome is lovely!
@taffy Taffy, my Corvette photo is a 3-photo HDR run through Photomatrix and completed using RAW in PS. Personally, I feel an improvement over the 1st duck/shadow/pool image... THANK YOU so much for steering me in the right direction!
For the shot facing the sun, having the flare/rainbow or any lens induced artifacts is a matter of choice and what you're trying to achieve. Usually you can adjust the camera to avoid them or take off the the filter which causes them most of the time. Again, here is a link to a full article on lens flare: http://www.photokonnexion.com/?page_id=15991
@lstasel@pitasmum@d_lopes The images are exquisite! I always love a beautiful flower & will strive for the likes of those! The sheep rimmed in light are absolutely brilliant! I'd have said something audible if I'd caught a moment like that! Deyvid knows I love his work, but didn't want to leave him out as all these recent uploads are amazing!
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Both Mike Gifford and I will look at the photos and select the top 5 for voting!! This is going to be a challenge in itself since there are SO MANY Excellent shots!!!
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@myhrhelper Thank you so much! I can't tell you how much doing ths and practicing ++ helped me! The only question I have is the following: I've been pressing the button to get my focus & light before repositioning the camera, but in a wide expanse like this *where* exactly should I focus, or, more importantly, pick my lighting choice? (Inland, and the sun is blown out...Sun, and inland turns black...) Of course I tried it many different ways, but I wondered if there's a technique. (I bought a "Grey card filter" for setting my cmera, and asked the salesman this question. He didn't have a definitive answer, so maybe it's that I should do this in multiple ways...)
So, after setting the grey balance for a specific scene, should I go to a different WB setting if I leave that area?
Again, thank you! This was a wonderful learning experience!
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@spanner Oh you are welcome happy to help, please feel free to add your comments to photos you see or even participating in the challenge yourself. Oh I am sorry for calling you a she instead of he, it was late at night when I wrote this.
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It's supposed to be rainy the next few days, so not particularly golden in the golden hour... but hopefully this weekend should be nice!!
I guess if you add up the morning half hour and the evening one it does give a total of about 1 hour per day!
@iqscotland That is a beautiful shot!
I was off the mark at the get-go, but I have a question about what sort of camera might be disallowed if it doesn't have a manual setting... I'll switch cameras tomorrow, but the question still stands...is it just to make the challenge more even? (I also have a question about the coloration which feels neither "white enough" for a gardenia or "quite golden"...
It was amazing to see how the light was changing by the minute. I still wan to shot in morning light, but not this weekend (I need to get some sleep).
http://www.golden-hour.com/
@myhrhelper a couple of questions others may have... Red and magenta seem terribly difficult to capture...any suggestions? ...I do find my focus is crisper with that intense light...liking that! ...Will post one of my hour's worth of photos and I'm sure I'll have more questions...thanks!
Kathy, @myhrhelper My photo caption on my site explains my challenge parameters I was dealing with. I had a photo instructor (I've taken one 4-day intensive class) who showed us how to capture the sun splash. I like them for the most part. Can you add any thoughts about using them or, additionally, light rays pouring into a photo when shooting into low sun. ... I found my Nikon D5000 with the 18-55 kit lens did not capture the crispness that I can get with the Coolpix. (For the life of me, I can't seem to capture the tight crispness that many others can, but perhaps that class is for another day!) SO...here's my picture...
@iqscotland I know capturing the golden hour can be tricky since the weather doesn't always cooperate but this is really a beautiful shot! @bella_ss Great, glad you will join in! @barbarajdonnellan Pretty flower I can see some of the lighting here. Perhaps you can try another to capture even more of the lighting effect @cindy_k very pretty @Weezilou this is very pretty and a good example of the lighting, however yes only manual and aperture priority will be allowed since it is a camera settings challenge rather than pure technique. Back in day one I actually started these challenges because I purchased my first dslr and wanted to learn how to use those settings. As far as "colors" it doesn't have to be a "golden" golden hour in color it is more of the effect you can get using the lighting. I think a white flower can make it more of a challenge to get a good example of the benefits of this lighting but actually your white flower does show good shadow & lights and is very beautiful. @rafesmar @rafesmar this is simply wonderful! You really adjusted those settings to have a gorgeous effect. @whatsfordessert just beautiful light - the lighting did add a nice transparency effect, interesting shadow and nice bokeh, @d_lopes please enter would love to have you join in - @kathyboyles looks like pretty flowers but too dark to enjoy. I wasn't able to actually see what settings you used but a couple things to try if you didn't already slow down your shutter speed to add more light. You may need to use a tripod to avoid the image from getting too blurry. If you don't have a tripod use a stable ledge, or something to rest the camera on or against. I would also try adjusting the exposure EV to +1, 2 or 3. The aperture was a starting point so if you need to have a higher aperture (lower F stop) then do so.
@kathyboyles no, no, no you can't give up. We can help you. Kathy for me I didn't just dive into manual settings all of them at once.
You have a very nice camera so let's help you learn how to use it and that is exactly what these challenges are all about.
You should start in the AV which is the aperture priority mode. Your camera will automatically adjust the shutter speed. After you turn the dial to AV turn the main dial until you get F8 (your camera will adjust the shutter speed for you). If your shutter speed ends up too slow your photos will be blurry if you don't have a tripod. Then dial it to F7 or F5.6 play with it until it brings in the amount of light you need. For this challenge I suggest you DON'T USE AUTO FOCUS for this challenge. you need to take it slower and learn one thing at a time - get good with it then move on to the next. YOU CAN DO THIS!! .
Below is a link and information I copied from that link.
ALSO ANY CANON USERS you may have advice to offer her as well - I use a Nikon.
http://www.dummies.com/DummiesArticle/How-to-Adjust-Aperture-and-Shutter-Speed-on-a-Canon-EOS-70D.id-408097.html
the Av (aperture-priority autoexposure): Rotate the Main dial to set the f-stop. The camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed.
"The range of possible f-stops depends on your lens and, with most zoom lenses, on the zoom position (focal length) of the lens. For the 18–135mm kit lens, for example, you can select apertures from f/3.5 to f/22 when zoomed to the shortest focal length (18mm). At the maximum focal length (135mm), the aperture range is from f/5.6 to f/36.
If you're handholding the camera, be careful that the shutter speed doesn't drop so low that you run the risk of camera shake. If your scene contains moving objects, make sure that the shutter speed is fast enough to stop action (or slow enough to blur it, if that's your creative goal)."
@Weezilou I have done HDR images during the golden hour and I think they work beautifully - it will just depend on what you actually shoot and how you process it.
Regarding reds & color - I shoot in raw and use Lightroom to adjust my color. If that is not an option you may need to add more light so the reds show up - but don't add too much to take away from the benefits of the golden hour.
Do you have a grey card? Using a grey card will help you get real colors.
Of course you can try slowing your shutter speed to bring in more light but don't go too slow if you aren't using a tripod.
I am really happy you are enjoying this - I love the golden hour myself - it just makes everything pop!
Here is a link to your camera manual
On page 107 talks about setting the picture control - perhaps you may want to try vivid to see if it brings out the colors better. You may want to add additional exposure itself (page 90).
http://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D5000_en.pdf
I learned how to use the EV just yesterday, thank you for the tips. I used to get crazy silhouettes, but now I know how to light up my foreground!
After uploading more photos do I tell you which one will be my final? Do I tell you which one I chose to be voted on?
Sorry for the many questions.
This morning I made the effort to drive down to the lake to get a clear view to the horizon and a real gold dipped shot of the lake with the sun rising behind it. Any comments on either shot are welcomed.
I took quite a few other shots this morning too so you will probably be seeing more as I get them downloaded from my camera. ( Or is that uploaded...can never figure that out.)
PS: I have tried every way I can to tag these CSC 14-8 but they simply refuse to show up under that tag...don't know what I am doing wrong.
First attempt at this. Saw the beautiful sky. Set camera to basic settings, F11, cloudy WB standard exp and clicked! Hope to take something with more light rays, weather permitting. Not sure if this quite fits golden hour although it was taken at that time?
The processing brought up the detail of rocks etc. on the lake bottom I think and also allowed me to show more colour in the sky.
My first image on this thread today comes with a huge thank you to you, Kathy @myhrhelper for helping with camera settings as well as light! Before now I have struggled to get a crisp photo of this orchid. 3 Cheers for The Golden hour!
@gardencat Joanne the photos are very pretty but my favorite of the ones you posted is the golden sun on the water. The golden hour turned that what could have been a very plain shot to stunning.
@jennywren Jen the sky is beautiful. I look forward to seeing others as well!
@pcarlaw Beautiful lighting - it makes that door inviting!
@gardencat This shot is very pretty and I love the detail in the rocks. I think I would have tried to turn down the exposure just a little more to bring out a little more color in the sky - but it is very pretty. I love the shot with the rocks that you did - the lighting is excellent.
@Weezilou you are a HUGE encouragement! I love how you are trying shot after shot and the last photo you posted here is gorgeous!! wow I can really see how the lighting just makes that flower pop!
@kathyboyles Wow Kathy you are finding the prettiest flower gardens - this is so beautiful and I love the soft background.You are doing so wonderful and I'm encouraged at how well you are working that camera. I have a personal challenge for you now to take another photo of the garden but step back and don't crop it in so tight - you may see even more benefits of the golden hour lighting. See if you can catch some lights and shadows too.Also take a shot with two different apertures and see the difference between them. Kathy Boyles you Rock!
heres my shot at sunset :-)
Kathy @myhrhelper I'd still like to know the general consensus about lens flare.
@ricaa Oh I am so glad your question was answered - PLEASE take part in this challenge. Enter as many and as often as you wish. Yes be sure to tag your photo so it will be found when judging the entries. Also we encourage those photos to be added to this thread for feedback and as a learning tool, it also helps keep it active in the commnents
Thank you @Weezilou for answering for! This is really an open forum and designed for everyone/anyone to comment answer questions etc.
@gardencat I really had no idea about that effect with cats, I don't usually take a lot of cat pictures because I don't have one so that was very insightful.
@andrewkru Andrew that is stunning - beautiful lighting and I like the globe technique that just adds to the interest of this shot.
@polarvrtx Really beautiful - the lighting just makes this shot so compelling.
@transatlantic99 Hopefully you will be able to take part - it isn't the sunset but the special lighting before the sunset or after sunrise. I know some locations really are more of a challenge though so hopefully you can keep your eyes open since the challenge will be open for awhile.
@Weezilou Wow thank you, I am so glad you are learning and you truly are an inspiration with your enthusiasm! The shot by the pool is very nice and you are the sunburst master! I will say I do favor some of your previous shots more for the purpose of this challenge because the benefits of the golden hour show through even more on some of them.
Please tag posts in this challenge thread with @mikegifford if you specifically want a response since I'm not the originator of the challenge I will not receive direct notifications of posts. Thanks!
(for a laugh and some social commentary, see the third photo I took on this date. I purposefully turned it from "warm" to cool" to make a statement... If you've ever been told you're "not allowed to take photographs here", perhaps you'll relate!
I wanted to take more shots of the sheep grazing, but they spotted me and thought I had food. The tranquil scene vanished as they all rushed up and followed me along the fence. I felt guilty that I had nothing for them!
@flyrobin Just love the beautiful lighting in these simply gorgeous!
@Weezilou They are all very beautiful but I have to say that out of the recent three posted here I like the flowers with the moth on it - very pretty lighting.
@sioux Beautiful scene - I love seeing photos with sheep grazing. Where is the close-up of the sheep? Cows, sheep and horses all seem to go by you when you take their pictures - cows seem to be especially curious.
If anyone doesn't know how to get a sunburst effect, I'll be happy to explain the setting I use for it. It works nearly every time...
Here is a brief video on using the AE-L (and AF-L) button(s) on your camera: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW04v1N64Xc
I'm a big fan of watching videos for training and I have a number of favorite channels I watch for learning new tricks with the camera.
I tend to set my cameras to only AE-L since my subject may be at a different distance from me and I usually want a focused picture (but with the exposure settings locked).
Example: In the above picture if you initially point your camera into the dark region of the silhouette and press the shutter release halfway down and then press the AE-L button, your camera will lock in the exposure settings. You can then move the camera and point slightly upwards towards the palm tree (while keeping the AE-L pressed) and press the shutter release. You'll be amazed at what you'll see and the versatility this brings to your capturing of images.
Every afternoon feels like "Christmas Eve" in that I spend an hour gathering golden gifts and look forward to opening the packages before midnight. I have to let you know that Mike's excellent information and video set me off in the right direction today,,,I had no idea what that button was for! I couldn't be happier, knowing how to use it. I have to add that at least one hour's concentrated effort really helps to crystallize how all the buttons and dials work, and rather than be just a casual photographer, I think that's a good exercise to continue. Thanks Kathy and Mike! @mikegifford
Morning and late afternoon today, I tried to capture the golden light. I posed a question earlier in this thread about how to determine "golden light" within the confines of a neighborhood with its homes & surrounding walls, unlike the flat horizons of a desert or beach. I feel "I can see it" when it happens, but can I trust my eyes when the listing says otherwise? @mikegifford @myhrhelper
Success with that
Shadows are cast from hard and soft lighting. The Sun as a single point of light source is considered a hard light - thus the shadows are well defined and as the Sun gets low in the horizon (i.e. approaches the Golden Hour), shadows are long and you can get great looking effects as mentioned, this includes rim lighting and the golden tones. These tones can of course be enhanced with filters when shooting and in post editing. Soft lighting comes from many sources of light - diffuser, bouncing of items, soft boxes, etc. Watch this video if you have time:
http://nofilmschool.com/2013/03/basic-lighting-lesson-hard-soft-light/
From Wikipedia: The term "hour" is used figuratively - the effect has no clearly defined duration and varies according to season and latitude (i.e. where you are on the earth and time of year). When the sun is near the horizon, sunlight travels through a greater depth of atmosphere, reducing the intensity of the direct light, so that more of the illumination comes from indirect light from the sky reducing the lighting ratio. More blue light is scattered, so if the sun is present, its light appears more reddish. In addition, the sun's small angle with the horizon produces longer shadows.
Dorothy to Toto: "I think we're not in Kansas anymore!"
Ken and I have come up the coast to visit the family this week, so I've got A LOT of new subject matter! We're on a beautiful campus with lodging for the faculty members, so I've got a wealth of subject matter. There's even a gorgeous rose garden... I may take photos there, but I'm unlikely to be sharing them as, you may have noticed, I have flowers back home...
This is my entry taken 1/2 after sunset.
I left Ken to babysit while I chased the sun for 45 minutes. After this, there'll never be enough flowers in my back yard to satisfy me! I edited in RAW but did nothing to alter the color. WB was set on cloudy.
Here's a second from the early evening. I did a lot of walking to different sites to get tonight's photos. Now I'm too tired to post them all... Back tomorrow...
A beautiful hour around Exeter Cathedral this evening.
(one more: @mikegifford @myhrhelper , Kathryn @aponi asked a question on her site about using (and how to use) a lens hood. Should I be doing that for these photos? I've never really understood how it works, and in the case of this most recent picture, would it have helped, shooting into the sun? Again, thanks.
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Been out of luck with opportunity and weather but saw this tonight. Not sure about it, but posted. My camera time wasnt right, forgot to change after clocks went forward.
@taffy That is just beautiful Taffy and the processing you used enhanced the photo really nicely.
@Weezilou What can I say you are just rocking this challenge and what really interests me is you didn't just stick to one subject but set out to make the most of this lighting while setting your camera to take such beautiful photos
@malcolm2 Those photos are simply beautiful and you really used that lighting to bring out the best in your scenery.
@lambda I love the touch of rim lighting from the sun behind this child and the face has the perfect amount of lighting as well
@smithak This is a little bit of a different twist great lighting and the colors pop - very cool. I especially liked this shot when I viewed it large
@kathyboyles My how you have grown this week in your photography - don't stop - very beautiful I hope you feel proud of how far you have come as well.
@jennywren how dramatic! looks like a storm is coming - I have a file of just clouds that I can use to plug into shots that have no sky - this looks like a keeper to me
@golftragic This is a fun and artistic shot with the blurr trees and long shadow!
@aponi Oh that looks like a gorgeous place to take vacation! Love how the lighting adds to the dramatic shadows and texture in this shot
@barbarajdonnellan Oh I love the lighting and reflection in this shot. Beautifully done
@lstasel your timing was perfect laura! Love the lighting
@lleo Wow what an absolutely beautiful collage! I can see why you decided to go with a collage since there are so many nice shots. Since the information doesn't show and I look for it on the threads what type of camera did you use for your shots?
@flyrobin Robin the lighting is gorgeous and I love the composition as well.
@wanabe Meredith this so really very lovely - I hope you enter many more challenges - I noticed that you had an aperture of f23 and then used a very slow shutter speed 8 seconds to let in the light and have the silky water . nicely done
Another one from me.
@wanabe Meredith, I love "classes" because we learn from fellow students, too! I've been wondering what settings to use to get "that silky effect". Can't wait to be by the water again and try it! The outcome is lovely!
Any comments? Crticism?
Regarding lens hoods - see these articles from Photokonnexion ( http://www.photokonnexion.com/?s=hood). Photokonnexion is run by Damon Guy (@Netkonnexion) and has excellent information.
For the shot facing the sun, having the flare/rainbow or any lens induced artifacts is a matter of choice and what you're trying to achieve. Usually you can adjust the camera to avoid them or take off the the filter which causes them most of the time. Again, here is a link to a full article on lens flare: http://www.photokonnexion.com/?page_id=15991
Hope this helps!
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Both Mike Gifford and I will look at the photos and select the top 5 for voting!! This is going to be a challenge in itself since there are SO MANY Excellent shots!!!
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So, after setting the grey balance for a specific scene, should I go to a different WB setting if I leave that area?
Again, thank you! This was a wonderful learning experience!