The magic hour
There’s a special light that happens sometimes before sunrise and after sunset. It doesn’t always happen but when it does, it appears almost magical.
It’s soft, delicate and diffuse. Pastels flood the sky with gentle shades of blue and magenta. I love this time because the landscape often looks like something from a painting out of the middle ages.
I had done shooting for the evening and was making my way home, scratching the mosquito welts on my bare ankles, shins, forearms and neck. I should know better than to go outdoors during a summer evening without mosquito repellant on or at least long sleeves and pants. That’s what happens sometimes when the mood strikes to take pictures at the last minute. Morning photo shoots are always better planned. Because I’ve gotten soaked too many times in the morning dew and like to come home dry, I always lay out my hiking boots, waterproof pants and gators to prevent water seeping between the boot tops and the cuffs of my pants.
Our forecast is unsettled for the next few days so it’s best to be checking the weather radar and immediate forecasts. I’m still waiting on my first supercell of the year. Already the days are noticeably shorter with sunrise around 5:30 a.m. and sunset just before 10:00 p.m. With the shorter days comes the cooling and even though we’re just into summer, I can already see a few signs of fall.
Try the magic hour if you get the chance. How things look to the naked eye and how they photograph may provide a few pleasant surprises.
Happy shooting,
Dan
Love this!
ameliaclaire92 said this on July 20, 2012 at 5:57 am
Nice capture!
Rick Diffley said this on July 20, 2012 at 6:11 am
Along with long sleeved shirts and pants, make sue your not standing on a red ant hill when in awe of the light.
I agree, there is something special about those special times. Love the softness of this image.
Monte Stevens said this on July 20, 2012 at 9:16 am
very beautiful Dan… summer is about to arrive tomorrow here in England after 4 months of rain!!
Helen Cherry said this on July 20, 2012 at 2:07 pm
@ Monte, we have ants too. LOL Been there before crawling onto an ant hill. That smarts.
Dan Jurak said this on July 20, 2012 at 2:34 pm
@ Helen, all that rain should have made things quite green and lush. Enjoy!
Dan Jurak said this on July 20, 2012 at 2:35 pm
@ Amelia, thank you.
Thank you for visiting and commenting,
Dan
Dan Jurak said this on July 20, 2012 at 2:35 pm
Yes indeed green and lush but also veeeery boggy!
Helen Cherry said this on July 20, 2012 at 10:35 pm
The color of the sky is awesome. Beautiful capture.
ravi said this on July 24, 2012 at 9:17 am