Photography can be seen as the art of manipulating light to get the best photo possible. Experienced photographers can look at a scene and then beyond that to the light that’s shaping it. If you ask a photographer what the best time to take pictures outside is, they’ll more than likely tell you early in the morning or as the evening settles in.

However, there are a couple of helping hands along the way, with nature giving us some of the best lighting conditions we could ask for. The problem is, sometimes you have to work for it, often getting up early to catch the first rays of light.

This article aims to show you the best time to take photos outside if you want amazing light for your subject. Want to know more? We have an entire course dedicated to natural light portrait photography that you should check out if you’re serious about harnessing the light for incredible photos.

What is Blue Hour?

Blue hour is a term that generally describes the time right before the sun rises and right after the sun sets. As the sun falls further below the horizon, the sky will turn into a nice blue hue. This happens the majority of the time, although you may see other hues, such as red, pink, and orange.

This blue ambiance doesn’t necessarily last an hour, with the average time being closer to 20-40 minutes of optimal shooting time. Blue hour photography is a wonderful way to introduce color, clouds, and reflections into your shots. For photographers, it is a great way to express a combination of technical skills and creativity.

How to Get Great Shots During Blue Hour

Beginner photographers will quickly learn that shooting great photographs during blue hour takes a little more effort than just going out and shooting. There are several factors to consider before composing and taking the final photograph during this magical time.

Always bring a tripod – The light may be beautiful, but it’s not bright. In this case, you will always need a longer shutter speed to avoid motion blur. The average shutter speed during the blue hour is around 1-6 seconds. A tripod will eliminate any camera shake and allow you to compose a great photograph for up to 30 seconds and more.

Use a remote shutter release – A shutter remote is a standalone switch that acts like the shutter button without having to touch the camera. Camera shake can happen moments after you’ve finished hitting the shutter button as the camera settles. In the absence of a remote, you can use your camera’s timer option.

Shoot in RAW – Shooting in RAW gives you all the information from the photo. In post-processing, your editing program will have access to more information which makes bringing out details easier after taking the shot.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The main advantage of shooting during the blue hour is the softness of the light on your subject. The blue, diffused glow ensures an easy-to-achieve exposure while preserving light trails from any stars or car lights that might be in the shot.

The downside to shooting during a blue hour is that inconvenient time of day. Blue hour in the morning is when the nighttime starts to recede. This means you have to be up pretty early to make it to your location in time for photos.

If you’re waiting until after sunset, then it eats into your evening time, as you probably won’t be leaving the site until the light is completely gone.

What is The Golden Hour?

You’ll hear photographers talking more about golden hour photography than you will about a blue hour, and for a good reason. Soft sun rays create a dreamy atmosphere for almost any type of photography. Additionally, a golden hue will permeate the color temperature of your photo, adding a richness that you can’t get from other times of the day.

Much like the blue hour that succeeds it, golden hour lighting doesn’t last very long, only lasting around 35-40 minutes. During this time, however, you will notice that skin tones and lighting will be consistent.