Setting Up The Perfect Photoshoot: How To Pick The Time And Place
A photograph can be perceived as something magical because it literally freezes a moment in time and immortalizes it. If photography is something that has caught your interest and you’ve started to make your way to really learning the in’s and out’s of it all, then it only makes sense that you pay attention to the details. When it comes to having the perfect photoshoot, the equipment does play a role- however, you’ll find that the devil is in the details of the natural surroundings as well. Sure, you could play around with editing software, but nothing beats the real deal. This is why we’re going to fill you in on a few pointers that will help you pick the best time and place to have your photoshoot so that the images need minimal editing and your true skill shines through.
Nothing Beats Natural Light
Many people tend to rent out spaces and hire lighting professionals to set up the space for them to get the perfect light- there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, of course. However, you’ll find that with experience and experimenting, that nothing is better than the effect of natural light. If you want attention to detail and want to play around with the lighting, using natural light is another ball game altogether. You can also use reflectors and other items to control the way the natural light hits your subject and the results will be amazing. For instance, you can direct the natural light directly onto the subject or have it focus on something behind or in front of them to create different levels of shade as well.
Natural light also has a warm tone to it, which is something that cannot be replicated with artificial lighting. This adds depth and creates a more organic feel to the images, making them more visually appealing. Make sure to click for photography workshops to learn more about how you can manipulate natural light to your advantage. This will also make your photoshoots more versatile and diverse, as you can work with different lighting situations.
Sunrise and Sunset Hues
The colors that are available at the sunrise and sunset hours are priceless and incomparable. It can be very difficult to duplicate these colors, and if you can time your photoshoot to take place at either of these times in any kind of setting, you’ll see how amazing the results will be. Just make sure that you check sunrise times or sunset times in your area on the day of because they differ as the seasons change. You also want to make sure that on the day of the shoot, you have clear skies so you can really take advantage of the effect. Sunrises and sunsets are the most impressive in nature because the pollution is not as strong. However, if you’re taking your shots in an urban setting, opt for a high setup such as on a roof or at the top of a really high building or skyrise.
Always Have a Shaded Area Nearby
Regardless of whether you’re having your shoot indoors or outdoors, you need to have a variety of lighting and shade. This applies to both, but if your photo shoot is taking place outside, in particular, it’s always smart to ensure that there is a shaded area. You may have too much light that you’re unable to control, or the weather might take a turn. The last thing you need is unfortunate circumstances to ruin a perfect setup, so always be prepared.
Less Crowd, More Control
Time and location play a vital role in your ability to have control over the scene that you’d like to use for your photoshoot. This is why it’s important for you to scout this location to see when it is at its most crowded if it is a public space and avoid that at all costs so that you and your team are able to utilize the space and focus properly. You also want to be sure that the location you pick gives you room to experiment with different outcomes because you never know- what you had in mind might not turn out so great, and you may need an alternative option.
Setting up the perfect photoshoot takes knowledge and planning. You need to know exactly what your vision is and work around it by picking on the details of your surroundings. Make sure that you have the right lighting, that you choose a location that gives you a variety of shots instead of just one, and that you choose the right time. These factors all come into play when it comes to producing the perfect shot. Reflecting your vision into an image can sometimes be difficult, but if you keep all the factors that come into play in mind, you’re bound to eventually get the perfect shot. And many times, people tend to surprise themselves because they worked with an open mind and took on a couple of options to try out in case their own vision doesn’t come out exactly the way they planned it in their minds.
