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What is Twilight Photography?
Dusk and twilight photography is an artform that uses light, time and nature to create beautiful images.
The light gets dimmer and less colourful, the colours change and during the twilight hour, there is just enough time to capture some amazing images that will add drama and atmosphere to your photographs.
This is also a great time for birds, insects and wildlife to appear. There are many different types of dusk and twilight photography – here we look at the different techniques to show you how to get the most from the moment.
Tips to shoot Twilight Photography
A good twilight photograph depends on many factors, among them, your equipment, your camera settings, your lighting and how fast you shoot. The amount of light in the scene is determined by the hour of day and the time of year; this can affect your results. There’s no point in using the same settings as for the morning or evening photos, but do try to use similar settings each time you shoot. This ensures that your pictures will look similar each time you take them, and it will allow you to compare the results and identify improvements.
When you first set up your tripod and camera and decide where to place them, you should choose somewhere that allows you to see all the elements in the frame. It’s a good idea to think about your composition first. Are you aiming to show a particular part of the landscape? Is there a particular feature, such as a tree, that you want to show? Or maybe you want to use your subject as a background to a more interesting element, such as a building or river?
The other important aspect of setting up your shot is to decide what aperture you want to use. What is the smallest number of f-stops that will give the best exposure? The smaller the f-stop, the larger the depth of field and the greater the chance of showing the entire landscape in sharp focus. However, the smaller the f-stop, the less light is let through, so you’ll need to use higher shutter speeds to freeze movement.
After you’ve chosen your composition and decided on the right settings, you can start your shoot. You’ll probably want to use a tripod to steady your camera and prevent movement, which will blur your photos. If you do experience any problems holding the camera, you could use a monopod, which can be steadier than a tripod.
Take a few photos before sunset.
The light is changing quickly and the golden hues are appearing on the mountains. It’s ideal time for taking photos. You’ll have more control with a tripod than with your hands. Take a few shots with the tripod then give it a rest. The sun is still high in the sky and the light is beautiful.
The golden light does not linger so you have to shoot quickly. So if you are waiting for sunset, the best time to shoot is just before the sun sets.
Try shooting pictures of the moon.
It’s the biggest object in the sky at this time of year. The moonlight reflects off the clouds and makes the scene look surreal. You can use the moon to your advantage. It’s usually high in the sky so you can shoot from higher up, and the moonlight is bright.
Use a filter.
A simple landscape filter will transform the sky. It will add depth to the scene and create a more dramatic effect. You can find great filters online or at your local camera store. Some will only cost a few pounds while others can be much more expensive.
Be patient.
Even if you are a professional photographer, patience will help you create amazing images. Slow down and enjoy the scenery. Stop and think about what you are doing and how you can improve. You might not get it right first time but you’ll get better with practice.
Ideas to Shoot Twilight Photography
