BEST TIME OF DAY FOR AN OUTDOOR PHOTO OR VIDEO SHOOT
Poor lighting example.
Optimal lighting example.
As a full-service advertising agency, we’ve shot video and photography indoors, outdoors, or wherever we can get the best shot. But its not always that easy, and location is only the tip of the iceberg. Care to know the secret to get the best results? The correct time of day is key. A famous photographer once said, “if you get a call from someone who wants their photo taken in the middle of the day, tell them that you’re booked up during that time. Try and get them to reschedule for morning or late afternoon”. Yes, it’s that important. (See photography at right.)
Lighting is a tricky and an incredibly difficult tool to master, especially when you’re at the mercy of the sun. No one looks flattering when squinting or with harsh shadows across their face. The best time of day is when the sun is at a 20-30 degree angle in the sky – either morning or late afternoon. “Golden Hour” is the ideal time to shoot. It’s when the sun is very low in the sky and the light is softened by the Earth’s atmosphere. But be careful, shadows are very long during golden hour, and they can cover parts of your shooting location, leaving you without any light to work with.
This is just one of the many things to consider when planning a photography or video shoot outdoors. Usually, the time of the shoot ends up coming down to the schedule of our clients or talent. But when shooting outdoors, we’ve learned that these optimal times of the day achieve the best results. So adjust your schedule around the sun!