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View Full Version : eshoot - shooting at dusk - need help!


LeoChanPhotography
20th of March 2009 (Fri), 19:14
hey guys!

been a while since i've been on the forums, got my second e-shoot coming up, first actual pay one. :) it's happening this coming sunday and i've been watching the sun to figure out what time is good to shoot the eshoot at. i remember reading that 1 hour before dusk is the best time since the lighting is even all-around, but i can't figure it out this time around :P

it's 7:12pm EST, local time, and when i look directly at the sun, i still squint. if i turn my body perpendicular to the sun, half of my face is lit well, the other half is shadowed heavily. is it still too early?

the sun is definitely coming down though, i was out at around 6:40pm EST, and it was a lot higher in the sky. in my opinion, the sun is already setting....

i'm confused! your help is very appreciated :0

LeoChanPhotography
20th of March 2009 (Fri), 20:02
okay, so 7:35 pm, sun is pretty much set. lighting is good, but it's on the darker side. 7:55 pm, it's night - no available light anymore...

i guess i'll have to try doing it around 6:30-7:30pm...?

mattograph
20th of March 2009 (Fri), 21:02
Leo, are you after a particular look with the light, or are you just picking this time due to scheduling?

LeoChanPhotography
21st of March 2009 (Sat), 09:39
Well, I've read that the light is the most 'even' 1 hour before dusk, so I'm trying to figure out when exactly that is. The last engagement shoot I did was 1 hour before dusk, but I forget when we did that. The lighting was really gorgeous at that hour - I didn't even need flash because it was perfect. No harsh shadows, no people squinting... just beautiful light!

mattograph
21st of March 2009 (Sat), 10:52
It's gorgeous, but its also moving fast too.

Here's some thoughts on working with the light at this hour from strobist. Hes gonna assume flash, of course, but he makes some nice all-round observations.

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/06/free-custom-backdrops-delivered-daily.html