Golden Rule of Landscape Photography

[Merlyn]

(Hint) There is a golden rule to good landscape photography which is the first place your really want to start. Consider the time of day in which you shoot. The best times are 15 to 30 minutes before sunrise and about 30 minutes after sunrise and 15 to 30 minutes before sunset. These are the times when you can expect to get the soft light and shadows you need for good quality landscape photos.
Yeah I know that you may have to get out of bed early to do the morning shoot, but photographers have to sometimes make a sacrifice to get that one in a million shot. Remember, the early photographer gets the shot, or is that the early bird gets the worm. Whatever.

[Nicole]

I think that you have to consider what you're trying to accomplish as well as the time of day. I think that if you limit yourself to only these short times in the morning and evening you're really limiting yourself. I personally love seeing the crisp blue skies of a sunny day in landscapes at times. Yes, the early and late shots turn out lovely as well, but some things really stand out in the middle of the day in ways that they wouldn't at other hours

[Merlyn]

Originally Posted by Nicole

I think that you have to consider what you're trying to accomplish as well as the time of day. I think that if you limit yourself to only these short times in the morning and evening you're really limiting yourself. I personally love seeing the crisp blue skies of a sunny day in landscapes at times. Yes, the early and late shots turn out lovely as well, but some things really stand out in the middle of the day in ways that they wouldn't at other hours

I agree. Maybe I should have started the thread as "A good rule....".
A lot of my shots occur during the daytime hours. Like you say, other times may be the only way to get the shot you want of a particular subject. If all photographers tried to accomplish the same act of shooting one particular shot, at a certain time of day, then all photos of that subject might look the same. Wouldn't that be a dull photo world.

[Gromguitar4]

One thing I have nonticecd is that it is a good idea to have that tripod handy in order to get what you want in focus. Depending on where you are and what time (I really like the 15-30 min idea), this helps a lot.

[essjay]

I think you really need to understand how to use the light that is around at the time you are shooting. While the times you describe may be best for certain types of shot, bear in mind that the real harsh light of midday can, on occasion, produce some really interesting shots. Its all about how you use it I guess. Having said that, I'm all for breaking rules

[RainPacket]

Another thing worth remembering is that somewhat overcast days actually generally provide the best light for photographing foliage, because of the quality of the light. This is why most pictures of garden plants are apparently taken on slightly overcast days!

[Mtik]

Originally Posted by Merlyn

I agree. Maybe I should have started the thread as "A good rule....".
A lot of my shots occur during the daytime hours. Like you say, other times may be the only way to get the shot you want of a particular subject. If all photographers tried to accomplish the same act of shooting one particular shot, at a certain time of day, then all photos of that subject might look the same. Wouldn't that be a dull photo world.

Right. I'm up above 6000'. There's nothing like that deep blue sky in the middle of a clear day. Slap on a polarizer, and it'll make a great pic!

[Merlyn]

Originally Posted by Mtik

Right. I'm up above 6000'. There's nothing like that deep blue sky in the middle of a clear day. Slap on a polarizer, and it'll make a great pic!

You lucky dog, I am below 6000', in the smog and haze.

[Floppy]

I live on the edge of the desert and I get some awseome shots around those times. Around here I have found that generally full daylight is too harsh, but sometimes the contrasting shadows around billabongs and such are more pronounced and turn out some great shots

[Rommel]

One thing I am wondering about taking landscape shots right around sunrise and sunset is shadows. With the sun so low in the sky, it seems like taller objects may cast dominating shadows. Are there ways people deal with this (presuming that they do not want these long shadows)? Do you tend to take pictures with the sun to your back at these ours, or to the side? (both in the cases where you want the shadows and in the case you do not)