What would you say is the ideal time of day for e photos?

lisarhinehart

Hey folks--
If couples say anytime of day works for them what time do you suggest? Since the sun will set around 6pm here at the end of October-- I was suggesting 4 to take advantage of that golden light. What would you suggest? --Lisa

angevin1

You know, It kinda depends Lisa. I am with you on the time frame you speak of..And for me, even though I have scouted the location, I always like to leave time to loosen everyone one up...get into some modes or two and then, when everything seems to be peaking, the light hits about right...so i am with ya~

Shima

I like getting sunsets to finish off a good e-session, so however many hours you want to shoot them, take sunset time an subtract the hours to shoot from that time for your start time.

Kinkajou

It might be different where you are, but I did a portrait session in late afternoon/early evening light and it was just much more harsh than I was expecting... I had the subject with her back to the sun, but then the background was just blown out and I didn't have a polarizer on the lens so the grass around her was also blown out. It was much more difficult than in the shade during mid-afternoon for me.

I guess it also depends on your skill and equipment... I'm fairly new and only had a reflector at the time.

tenoverthenose

Depending on where I shoot (some locations have specific times that I prefer to shoot at) I generally like to start about an hour before sunset and shoot until an hour after sunset at a minimum. If possible, I like to spend even more time that that with a couple.

mmmatt

yeah... acouple hours before sunset up until about an hour after. That is the best light you can get IMHO. I'll take that over harsh midday sun any day. This time of year we are getting into the time when the sun is further from the earth so that actually makes the light harsher. Closer the light is to the subject the softer it is and the sun is no exception to that.

Matt

DustinFinn

I might be insane, but sometimes, I wish a client would be available after sunset so that in some small local town I could shoot them in the night hours with off camera flash and create something more unique...

But time and time again, I shoot 3 hours before sunset, 1 hour or so after... its not until the the first hour is over that they start to like being in front of the camera (most of the time anyways) - exceptions to that all the time...

lisarhinehart

thanks
Thanks, friends, I appreciate your advice. --Lisa