We’re all aware that the Earth rotates around the Sun causing variations in lighting throughout the course of a calendar day. The magic time that creates golden glows happens twice but not in the same place. When the sun first appears in the morning and then again roughly an hour – an hour and a half before it disappears for the night.
When I was in Miami, I drove down to South Beach in the late afternoon hoping to catch that sparkle on the famous art deco hotels lining Ocean Blvd. No such luck as the Sun was hitting the backs of the buildings instead. If I wanted the light, I’d have to arrive in the wee small hours of the morning. On the day I had free to do that, it was completely overcast with thick, low, gray clouds. You need sunshine otherwise it’s no-go.
Check out how the light changes on the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. These photos were taken on January 26, 2010.
8:55am – There’s a warmth of color falling over the carved animals coming from the right. Look at where the strong shadows are cast. They’re all being thrown down and left. That’ll tell you where the source of light is coming from.
12:30pm – Now the shadows are tossed to the right and the lower part of the tree is broadly lit. You can see the fence and grass easily as opposed to before.
2:57pm – Two and a half hours later, there’s been another significant change in lighting. The Sun’s starting to slowly begin it’s disappearance. Darkness is creeping in.
5:30pm – Behold the golden light!
Written while listening to Robi Draco Rosa’s album Ensayos 731 aka Ensayos Al Natural.
This is a great tutorial! Sometimes you just have to wait for the right light or if you know the look you want – make sure you’re there at that time to capture it! Just lovely!
Wow, way cool. Thanks for showing us the amazing differences. I find every picture beautiful in their own way!