How much time do I have in Winter?

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BeemerK12S

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I have been asked to take some shots of buildings (in UK) but they need to be done before the end of the year.

I know it all depends on the prevailing conditions, but assuming a typical overcast Winter's day, realistically, how much time do I have to get decent shots - i.e. between what times of the day?

Also, would you choose an overcast day in preference to strong sunshine?
 
The days are still getting shorter, this will start to reverse on the 21st of December (I think).

Sunny days will give you hard shadows and overcast ones soft or none at all, so it depends what you want.

I'd choose an overcast day between 1100 and 1300, but you could probably get away with an hour either side of that.

BTW - welcome to TP. :)
 
BeemerK12S said:
I have been asked to take some shots of buildings (in UK) but they need to be done before the end of the year.

I know it all depends on the prevailing conditions, but assuming a typical overcast Winter's day, realistically, how much time do I have to get decent shots - i.e. between what times of the day?

Also, would you choose an overcast day in preference to strong sunshine?
Click to expand...

I would have though between 9am and 3pm, so a 6 hour window, although quite a bit longer if you use a tripod. If these are for record shots then lighting may not be so important, and dull flat lighting may be advantageous.
 
At the risk of telling grandma how to suck eggs: check all the locations on a good map to see when you can use any bright sunshine to your advantage...

School building Swindon Old Town Hasselblad 0903010.jpg
 
like any other time of the year. the results will depend on the lighting, and the relative direction of the sun to the face of the buildings you are shooting.

This lighting will only be at the ideal angle for a few minutes at each location and is easily calculated from published sun tables for any location. There are apps available for you Phone.

If good lighting is not necessary and all you need is a reasonable likeness of the locations, then an overcast day will give you far more options but pretty bleak images.

In effect you have asked how long is a piece of string.
 
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Can recommend photo pills app which allows you to plan shots with light directions, times etc.
 
Depends a lot on the location e.g. trees around or in town centres sunset might say 3:30pm but the lights start coming on by 3pm - that can add to a scene mind.
The further north you go the worse it gets, by a considerable margin too and even around midday sun is very low in the sky for a couple of months.
 
Another Photo App to investigate is "Photographer's Companion". It's most everything you will need in one App, and it's FREE.
I've been using it for over 2 years and depend on it.

Charley
 
I can't imagine why you would choose overcast for architecture. Maybe some crazy shadows, but generally no no no. If you just have to get it done the overcast or light in wrong direction can be still used. Replace sky as needed and it's just acceptable, but well really not great. Blue hour is a whole different game where it suits and should be at least double rate
 
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