How to Shoot Photos and Videos for Maximum Impact
When it comes to shooting photos and videos, timing is everything. Depending on the look and feel you are going for, certain times of day can create vastly different results. For example, if you’re looking for a warm, golden glow, the “golden hour” may be your best bet. On the other hand, if you need a crisp midday shot with lots of contrast and shadows, then the middle of the day is your optimal time. Here’s a closer look at how time affects photo and video shoots.
The Golden Hour
The golden hour is typically defined as one hour after sunrise or one hour before sunset. The light during this time has an orange-ish hue—hence its name—so it’s great for shooting people or nature scenes because it adds warmth to skin tones and casts long shadows on objects in the frame. It is our favorite time to shoot content, because It also creates softer contrasting shadows than when shooting in direct sunlight. This makes it easier to capture details without losing subtlety in any given scene. As such, this time of day is ideal for photography and videography that require a warm atmosphere. When we plan a shoot for golden hours, we always start at least thirty minutes to two hours ahead of time, based on what type of shoot it is, so we can get everything set up. The key to capitalizing on Golden Hour is to make sure that any set-up is done ahead of time, so you can get the most out of the light.
Midday Shots
Midday is a great time to do any inside shots that need natural light. Amy and I will normally schedule any inside shots from about 10am - 2pm in the winter and from 9am - 5pm in the summer. Shooting photos and video outside during the middle of the day can be tricky, because of all the bright sunlight bouncing off surfaces. If you can find a cloudy day however, then this could be an ideal opportunity to get some really clean shots with plenty of contrast between highlights and shadows. For even lighting, this is about the ideal situation for us. Good cloud cover offers lots of options for great looking, evenly lit photos. If there isn’t any cloud cover though, try using reflectors or diffusers to soften up harsh sunlight and cast more even light on your subject matter. Also getting in the shade can be a great trick as well, that way you won’t end up with too many hard lines or dark spots in your images/videos that distract from their overall aesthetic appeal.
Using Both Times Wisely
If Amy and I have both indoor and outdoor content that needs capturing within a single shoot (say for instance if you have an office space with lots of natural light), then starting with some outside shots early morning around sunrise can help maximize efficiency levels while allowing us to make use of both times (morning “golden hour” + mid-day). Then move inside where temperatures are cooler during midday when its hottest outside, followed by heading back outdoors later in the afternoon when temps start cooling down again towards evening “golden hour” - just make sure to account for any potential weather changes along the way!
Time matters when it comes to photo and video shoots; certain times can create vastly different results depending on what kind of look or feel you are trying to achieve in your project(s). The golden hour (one hour after sunrise/before sunset) is always a great choice for lots of applications due its beautiful light, rich shadows and golden glow—allowing creative options for any photography and videography project outdoors—while shooting during midday can work well too if there happens to be some cloud cover present at that time! Lastly, taking advantage of both morning & evening "golden hours" alongside mid-day lighting conditions can help maximize efficiency levels while still getting all desired shots captured within a single photography or videography session! With enough planning & preparation beforehand followed by diligent execution afterwards - these tips should help ensure success every time!