Most natural and natural photographers know that sunset and sunrise are two of the best times to capture amazing light in their photos. However, very few photographers stick to the blue hour, which is a great time to photograph as the sky begins to darken.
The blue hour appears just after sunset and before sunrise when the sun is below the horizon. It is still not bright enough to see around you. This is when there are a few bright stars in the sky, just before the full darkness of the night enters or before the sun begins to rise.
This time of night (or morning) is one of the best times for photography because the light shines evenly throughout the world. You do not have to worry about harsh sunlight. However, you can get enough light to use the long exposure to make details of your outdoor area without having to deal with the many grains that are often present when shooting at night.
Photo by Austin James Jackson
In the field
So, how do we take amazing photos during the blue hour? First, you need to get out of it at the right time. I find that about 45 minutes after sunset is the best time. Of course, you can go out and shoot with the same results 45 minutes before sunrise. Or, I find this very challenging because then you have to get your makeup in the dark. Usually, I appear at sunset and find my makeup, and then I wait for sunset.
In this case, you will need a tripod because we will be using the longest exposure to help us identify certain dark areas. Any camera and lens will do as long as you can adjust your shutter speed to 30 seconds. I highly recommend using a camera with full manual mode. This is because you will want to adjust the ISO, open, and shutter speed individually. Automatic cameras will often struggle to adjust to dark conditions.
When the time comes, you will want to dial your ISO, turn on, and shutter speed. Each situation requires slightly different settings but I usually start with these settings:
ISO 1600
f / 4
Second shutter speed
Photo by Austin James Jackson
After dialing this, take a few pictures and see what they look like. Make sure your camera is focused. Usually, you will need to use manual focus as the camera's automatic focus may work in the dark. It’s also important not to hit the highlights. Avoid any part of the RAW image completely white. He wants the sky to shine, but not to be completely white. The front will look dark but be sure to take RAW photos so you can fix this after processing.
If you find that your image has not been properly displayed (too bright or too dark), try raising or lowering the ISO properly until you get a better display.
Photo by Austin James Jackson
On the computer
When you get home to edit your photos, upload your photos to any software you like. You will want to log in and minimize the highlights. After that you will want to enlarge the shadows to add a strong width to your photo. Don’t be afraid to adjust the white balance again. Your camera can have difficulty adjusting the temperature of the image after dark. Personally I get a white balance to look good when the sky is blue, but the things in front of me are neutral gray.
Blue Hour is an amazing time to shoot because it's easy to do! If you’re already out shooting sunset, it’s worth your time to spend an extra hour outside to take some amazing photos before the great darkness. You can do it with almost any DSLR camera or without mirrors. Clear night works well but if you find interesting clouds, try your hand at even the blue hour pictures. And of course, don't forget your head light!
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