Light and Photography | A Post With Ally & Nicholas about When to Plan your Photoshoot
Photo by: Lydia Ivy Photography
In this post, we discuss different lighting scenarios and share images of the incredible Hammad & Mel who modeled for the workshop. Take a look at what we’ve come up with to help guide you when planning your photoshoot - we’ve even included the sunset times for the year!
Photo by: Ally & Nicholas Photography
DIFFERENT LIGHTING SCENARIOS
Using light is a fundamental part of photography. Understanding how light can be used during a photography session or on a wedding day, helps to position your subjects accordingly. Below, we talk about some of the different lighting scenarios using the sun.
Front/Direct Lighting - the main source of light is on the front of your subject
Photo by: Ally + Nicholas Photography
Back Lighting - this is the process of illuminating your subject from the back using your source of light
Photo by: Lydia Ivy Photography
Side Lighting - using your main source of light to project to the side of your subject
Photo by: Ally & Nicholas Photography
Rim/Edge lighting - your subject is backlit and the image is exposed to hide your subject’s features in shadow - the 'rim' of light appears to ‘hug’ your subjects outline
Photo by: Ally & Nicholas Photography
Lens flare - photographic phenomenon in which bright light enters the camera lens (in this case the sun), and hits the camera's sensor forcing it to scatter
Photo by: Lydia Ivy Photography
Silhouette - your subject has an outline and featureless interior
Photo By: Ally & Nicholas Photography
Blue Hour - the time of day when the sun is at a significant distance below the horizon and the residual, indirect sunlight takes on a predominantly blue hue
Photo by: Lydia Ivy Photography
GOLDEN HOUR - WHAT / WHEN IS IT?
In photography, the golden hour is the period of daytime shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which daylight is softer and the sun is higher in the sky.
The sun is higher in the sky but not at its highest point. During golden hour the sun’s natural light is softer and more golden. Typically, golden hour is the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset. As the sun continues to set, the sun’s position is more directly behind your subject creating a soft glow.
When the sun is at its highest point (mid day), the light it projects is the most harsh and typically why those times of the day are the warmest, or hottest points. Dusk and dawn offer the softest points of light. Think of natural light as any other light source illuminating your subject.
Photo by: Ally & Nicholas Photography
To learn more about Ally & Nicholas’ Light & Love Workshop offerings and experience click here
DIFFERENT SEASONS & THE SUN
Photo by: Lydia Ivy Photography
The tone, position and direction of the sun will influence the mood and type of light you’re working with. The sun’s natural light changes with seasons. Depending on the vision of your session, you may choose to photograph during different seasons and/or different times of the day for different lighting situations. It’s important to think about the light during different seasons - especially in Ontario. Each season brings unique lighting situations, temperatures and tones. For example, in the winter, the temperature of the images is significantly cooler and there is a lot of light reflected from the snow. Whereas in the fall, the light is softer but the vibe is much warmer, complemented by the changing colours of the leaves.
This is why as natural light photographers, our imagery can be so diverse with light. We move with the flow of our light source and use different lighting techniques to tell the story of each connection and each moment. Our personal favourite time of day to photograph is the two hours before sundown. Especially the 30 minutes before sunset and the first 10 minutes after sundown. We love afterglow.
HOW TO THINK ABOUT LIGHT ON YOUR WEDDING DAY
Connecting with the sun’s natural light helps you to plan the day accordingly - a few things to think about would be 1) selecting a ceremony time in less harsh lighting conditions to provide a better experience for you and your guests, or to have options that provide consistent shade during your ceremony and 2) planning additional time for your portraits during golden hour to create that warm glow in your photos
SUNSETS FOR 2021
To help you plan your photoshoots according to the light, we have created a schedule of when the sun will be setting at the beginning, middle and end of each month. Use this as a reference for planning your engagement/couples session or wedding day.
MARCH 2021
15th - 7:24PM
31st - 7:43PM
APRIL 2021
1st - 7:44PM
15th - 8:01PM
30th - 8:19PM
MAY 2021
1st - 8:20PM
15th - 8:36PM
31st - 8:51PM
JUNE 2021
1st - 8:52PM
15th - 9:00PM
30th - 9:02PM
SUMMER SOLSTICE JUNE 20th
JULY 2021
1st - 9:02PM
15th - 8:56PM
31st - 8:41PM
AUGUST 2021
1st - 8:39PM
15th - 8:20PM
31st - 7:54PM
SEPTEMBER 2021
1st - 7:52PM
15th - 7:27PM
30th - 6:59PM
OCTOBER 2021
1st - 6:57PM
15th - 6:33PM
31st - 6:09PM
NOVEMBER 2021
1st - 6:07PM
15th - 4:51PM
30th - 4:42pm
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS
November 7th 2021 @2:00AM
DECEMBER 2021
1st - 4:41PM
15th - 4:41PM
31st - 4:50PM
WINTER SOLSTICE DECEMBER 21st
Check out the behind the scenes photos from the incredible workshop that Ally & Nicholas put on in Niagara, Ontario this fall. Their love for connection and light is so apparent - I would highly recommend taking part in their workshops when they are available. Here is the link in case you missed it
(https://www.allyandnicholas.com/light-love-photography-workshop/)