A Complete Guide to Photographing in Different Types of Weather and Light

Light and weather are essential ingredients that breathe mood into your photographs. While the warm embrace of golden hour is a photographer's favourite and arguably the best time of day for outdoor pictures, the world of visual storytelling extends far beyond that. Different types of weather and various times of day present a unique palette of light and shadow ready to be explored by your creative lens.

This guide equips you to work with light and weather, turning ordinary scenes into extraordinary captures.

Photographing During Morning Blue Hour

The morning blue hour, just before sunrise, offers a cool, ethereal light. This is an ideal time for capturing serene landscapes and cityscapes. The soft blue tones can create a peaceful and dreamy atmosphere in your photos. To make the most of this time, set your camera to a low ISO to minimise noise and use a tripod to ensure sharpness in the low light.

Photographing at Dawn

Dawn offers a unique opportunity to capture the first light of the day, which can add a magical touch to your photos. The gentle, pastel colours at this time are perfect for landscape photography. Use a wide-angle lens to capture the expansive sky, and consider using a graduated neutral density filter to balance the exposure between the bright sky and the darker foreground.

Photographing During Morning Golden Hour

The morning golden hour, shortly after sunrise, provides warm and soft light that enhances the colours and textures of your subjects. It’s an excellent time for both landscape and portrait photography. The light is directional, creating long shadows that add depth and dimension to your images. For more tips on golden hour photography, check out our detailed guide.

Photographing on Misty Mornings

Misty mornings can turn a mundane scene into something extraordinary. The fog adds a mysterious and moody atmosphere to your photos. Use a longer focal length to compress the distance and accentuate the layers of fog. A higher ISO may be necessary to maintain a fast enough shutter speed and avoid blur due to camera shake.

Photographing on Sunny Days

Sunny days offer bright and vibrant conditions, but the harsh light can create strong shadows and high contrast. To combat this, shoot in shaded areas to soften the light on your subject or use a reflector to fill in shadows. A polarising filter can help reduce glare and enhance the colours of the sky and foliage.

Photographing on Overcast Days

Overcast days are like nature’s softbox, providing diffused and even lighting. Portrait and macro photography in cloudy weather works brilliantly, as the light wraps around your subject without casting shadows. Use a tripod for stability and experiment with longer exposures to capture soft, even lighting.

Photographing During Evening Golden Hour

Just before sunset, the evening golden hour offers a warm, flattering light ideal for landscapes and portraits. This time of day is perfect for capturing the dramatic interplay of light and shadow. Position your subject in front of the sun to create a beautiful backlit effect, and use a reflector or flash to add a touch of fill light if necessary.

Photographing at Dusk

Dusk, the quick period just after sunset, provides a soft and subdued light that can add a sense of tranquillity to your photos. This is a great time to capture long-exposure shots of cityscapes or natural landscapes. Use a tripod to keep your camera steady for the longer exposures required in low light, and experiment with different shutter speeds to capture movement creatively.

Photographing During Evening Blue Hour

Shortly after the sun has set, the evening blue hour creates a deep blue hue that can add a dramatic touch to your photos. This time is also ideal for cityscapes, as the ambient light in the sky balances beautifully with the artificial lights of buildings and street lamps. Use a low ISO to maintain image quality and a tripod to avoid camera shake during the longer exposures.

Photographing at Night

Night photography opens up a whole new world of creative possibilities. Whether you’re shooting cityscapes lit up by artificial light or starry skies, nighttime photography can produce stunning results. Use a tripod to stabilise your camera and experiment with different shutter speeds to capture the desired amount of light. A remote shutter release can help prevent camera shake, and increasing the ISO can help capture more light, though it may introduce some noise.

Photographing in the Rain

Rainy weather can add a unique and dramatic element to your photos, and reflections in puddles and raindrops on surfaces can create exciting compositions and textures. Protect your gear with a weatherproof cover, a lens hood to prevent water droplets from hitting your lens, and a trusty backpack to keep everything safe and dry. Consider shooting towards a light source to capture the sparkle of rain.

Different types of weather and various times of day are not obstacles; they’re your collaborators, offering a unique challenge and opportunity, allowing you to create a diverse photography portfolio. 

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, Ted’s Cameras has the gear you need to photograph in any weather. Visit your nearest Ted’s store for expert advice on our range of cameras and accessories.