shooting outdoors....

[Southerngal]

what is the best time of day to shoot outdoor portrait shots?

 

[Big Mike]

It depends on your location, the surroundings of your location and the look that you are going for.

Typically, the 'best' light is in the first hour or so of sunlight and the last hour. This is because the sun is low in the sky and gives us nice directional (side) light with a nice warm color.

Usually, you want to avoid shooting under the direct sunlight at mid-day. The sunlight comes right down onto the subjects and causes dark shadows in their eye sockets etc.

Of course, if you are shooting in the shade, then it may be helpful to be shooting at mid day when the shade is still fairly bright. Also, if it's overcast, the lighting during the day is nice and soft, which can make for great lighting.

As you can see...there is no 'best'...it just depends on too many factors. The important thing to know, it how to use the light that you are given at the time.

 

[Peniole]

Here's a website I used for guidance.

http://www.shutterbug.com/techniques/portraiture/0505improve/

 

[Southerngal]

It depends on your location, the surroundings of your location and the look that you are going for.

Typically, the 'best' light is in the first hour or so of sunlight and the last hour. This is because the sun is low in the sky and gives us nice directional (side) light with a nice warm color.

Usually, you want to avoid shooting under the direct sunlight at mid-day. The sunlight comes right down onto the subjects and causes dark shadows in their eye sockets etc.

Of course, if you are shooting in the shade, then it may be helpful to be shooting at mid day when the shade is still fairly bright. Also, if it's overcast, the lighting during the day is nice and soft, which can make for great lighting.

As you can see...there is no 'best'...it just depends on too many factors. The important thing to know, it how to use the light that you are given at the time.

Thanks so much for your reply.

 

[OttawaPhotog]

go big mike... go big mike!!!