Morning or Evening?

L

Lawsyd

Suspended / Banned
Messages
67
Edit My Images
Yes
An interesting question raised by my wife, today, who, although not a photographer, is very good at seeing photographic oportunities. Anyway, given the same view & similar (if not identical) weather conditions would you rather shoot a landscape during the morning or evening golden hour?
 
I think a lot depends on whether or not you have the self discipline to drag yourself out of a nice warm pit at silly o'clock. Unfortunately I don't so it's evening for me.
 
As Nick says, it depends on which way the scene's facing. If I want a West facing scene lit by early/late sunlight, I'll aim for it at shortly before sunset while for an East facing scene I'll go for dawn. South facing scenes are a little trickier so I'd probably aim for both and see which works best (if a new location) or will know which lights the features I want to pick out best (if I'm familiar with the place.)
 
As a night owl let me tell you the mornings are usually a lot clearer and the air more still than at dusk when you've had the movements of the day and all that heat disturbing the air. Everything has a lovely glossy covering as well before the dew burns off. Gives me a nice warm glow as I head off to bed, especially if the weathers very hot and I know I'll miss it sleeping under the cooling fan.
 
Depends a lot on what I'm shooting but at this time of year, I'm far more likely to be out and about at sunset. Otherwise it would be a 3.30am alarm call.
 
i prefer early morning as i find it nicer to be out at that time (quieter, less people and the dew on the ground can be very effective) but the prospect of getting up mega early when you factor in my other hobbies tend to also mean early morning starts means that more often than not i stick to sunsets unfortunately.
 
Stumpy said:
As a night owl let me tell you the mornings are usually a lot clearer and the air more still than at dusk when you've had the movements of the day and all that heat disturbing the air. Everything has a lovely glossy covering as well before the dew burns off. Gives me a nice warm glow as I head off to bed, especially if the weathers very hot and I know I'll miss it sleeping under the cooling fan.
Click to expand...

^^^This

The air cools overnight, dust etc settles, and the air is cleaner. Most noticeable during warmer spells, but that often coincides with very early starts - like the sky is beginning to brighten at 3.30am at this time of year and sunrise is around 4.30!
 
Morning - less people and the chance of mist or frost at the right time of year. Less footprints on beaches or fresh snow too. Do like a good sunset if I can't get up though
 
I wake around 5 am everyday, all year round, and as I'm not one to just lie there disturbing my wife I usually go for a walk/photo trip.
 
It depends what, where, direction of light and time of year. I generally find there are less people around early morning, for wildlife this can be helpful as you don't get people coming up to you scaring the animal and asking what you are up to. I was out Sunday morning and had 3 hours before other people turned up.

For landscapes it depends on the direction of light, some places only work with light from certain direction. This can mean there are many months where it won't work at its best (Durdle Door with the sun rising through the arch is one example where it's only possible at limited times of the year).
 
I do prefer mornings :) But I do very very few :) lol Monday-Friday is pretty much out of the question. By Saturday I normally need a lie-in, so that leaves Sunday - Which is normally weekend car day with breakfast/cars & coffee meets & the like. Then this is only every other weekend because I have my kids in between so those are impossible too.......
 
•


Basically, there is no difference in terms of light quality
between the two… a ball and a light source, simple.

Your question makes sense when the ball is, in reality,
a living planet with an atmosphere and the weather
conditions that come with it.

Morning Light
In the night, there is far less human activity and the Sun
does not there to sustain convectional movements in the
air… things are more quiet; humidity and dust are not
flying everywhere but settle down as the air cools off.

All these will make the air crisper, clearer and cleaner
as seen and felt in the morning.

Evening Light
At the end of the day, dust and humidity were brought up
in the atmosphere… very high up. Tons of both are found
in suspension in the air and that gives the special evening
glow to the sunset, the twilight, and the dusk.

Conclusion
Both may be beautiful… but for different reasons.

An other point is your subject as it will be lit with a source
at close 180° difference at the Equator. A landscape may be
perfectly oriented for given light conditions… or not.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top