This week, Tina Schell challenges us to explore light and its effects on an image. She writes, “Sometimes we plan ahead and rise in the early morning hours to capture the sunrise, only to find it obscured by clouds. Other times we await the sunset only to find it less than spectacular. And sometimes, every now and then, we just get lucky and a boring scene becomes magical.” You can read her entire challenge post and check out her comparison photos here.
For this challenge-response, I am including several golden and blue hour images, those times when the light truly can make a photo “pop” with color. But, I also have a couple of other surprises in store that don’t fit the model of early morning or early evening light. I start, however, with one of my favorite morning images from Breezy Point Resort in northern Minnesota. Though the building blocked the direct sun, the background, on this early spring morning, is alive with a golden glow.
I promised a few surprises. Artificial light can add its own enhancement to an image. That illumination on the side of the Norwegian Pearl cruise ship is due to the color temperature of the ship’s lighting system bathing the NCL logo and superstructure with a warm glow.
Inside one of the Norwegian Pearl’s lounges, dim lighting and my crop in post-processing made this image more impactful than the original, below.
No doubt the lights in the foreground of the original image fooled the light meter into underexposing the background, a happy accident.
High atop South Mountain in Phoenix, sunsets can be amazing, but this blue hour photo showing the city lights has its own special magic.
I have shared this image of Bryce Canyon many times. Getting there at sunrise after the first snowfall in October was a challenge in itself. It was a cold morning while awaiting the sun to rise high enough to start illuminating the valley from this viewpoint. At least we had plenty of company as there were plenty of early rising photographers there to capture their versions of the sunrise as well.
Sunrise on the Atlantic Ocean is worth getting up early. We had some trouble finding the open beach in the pre-dawn light, but we got there in time to capture the sun as it filtered through some low clouds in the distance. The cloud filter created a soft light that gave the image a pastel look, much less harsh than it would have been on a cloudless morning.
Variations in cloud thickness can make for some interesting images even in midday light. This image captured in Saguaro National Park was captured while I was looking to the north. A large area of heavy rain was hitting those mountains in the background. The leading edge of the storm was headed in our direction. The desert directly in front of us was bathed in the indirect light of a much thinner layer of clouds.
My final image, a photo from my cell phone, features the Celebrity Equinox on its way back into port from a cruise captured in 2019. The lights of the harbor added visibility and texture to the low-hanging clouds, and the Equinox provided its own lighting effects on its way back into the Port of Miami.
Thanks again to Tina for a great challenge opportunity. Please click on any of the images above to view and scroll through them in 2K HD at my Flickr album created for this post.
John Steiner
These are all superb images! The last one is exceptional.
Thank you! Night shots can present some great opportunities for photos that “pop”.
Wonderful images and commentary, John! Thank you for taking us along on your cruise. Too. 😊 Best, Babsje
More cruises coming up as we are hoping to “catch up” with the time missed in 2020. >grin<
Well done John – an excellent tutorial on how light affects our images. I agree with Hien, the last image is stunning.
Thanks, Tina! City lights made that picture, for sure.
Very nice images. Light is everything!
Thank you!
Wow. Excellent examples, great light. ::thumbsup::
Amazing pics, sir!
Thanks, my friend!
A great and varied selection that illustrate the theme perfectly! My favourite has to be Bryce in the snow – worth getting up early for that shot for sure! I also really like your blue hour Phoenix image and the one of the Atlantic coast at sunrise – they share a delicate colour palette that is a great contrast to the usual sunrise/sunset photos we see.
Those moments just after sunset when the colors start to get cool create some beautiful pastels.
I’ve also found that time to be the best to face away from the sunset for some interesting skies, especially if there are clouds.
You’re right, but hardly anyone thinks to do that!
Excellent selections, John! Beautiful light through you images. The last one is amazing!
Thank you! Interesting challenge topic. There’s a publication about photography on the web called “Light Stalkers”. That name is so appropriate.
“light stalkers”, I like it! 🙂
Wow, all excellent examples of how light affects our photography. I think cruise ships are an amazing opportunity to capture fun photos in different lighting situations.
Those beautiful ships against the backdrop of sea and sky really provides the opportunity for some great images.
😊
Glorious, John! Well chosen and delightful differences. My pick is the pastel morning beach – harmony.
Thank you, Ann-Christine. That morning generated several pastel images that are some of my favorites.
I have no doubt about that!
Such good photos, John
Thank you!
Welcome!
Ohh, lovely, John! Wonderful collection. I especially love your landscapes.
Thank you! They are my favorite photography genre.
Such vivid colours, John
I admit to being a fan of vivid colors. No doubt my processing tends to reflect that. 🙂
Lovely photos here. I like the two photos with spots of artificial light added into the golden hours. I’ve only tried that in the “deep blue” hour, when you get the opposite effect: the warmth of artificial light.
Thank you! It is truly all about the light. As photographers we are always seeking the best light.
Beautiful pictures, John. that first picture is breathtaking. All are great pictures, but wow! You should have that one hanging in an office or send it to a magazine.
Thank you so much for the compliment. I should see if the resort where it was taken might be interested. 🙂
I’d bet they would be.
Beautiful images, love the Atlantic ocean beach, looks so inviting and peaceful.
Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed the post.
crushed red velvet – right on!!