¿What is the blue hour?
Maybe you've heard about the blue hour in some text about photography. Also known as the magic hour or even the golden hour. And sure you already know that is one of the most spectacular moments for photos. But you know what? And when it occurs? And what you do when you find her?
Do not think that photograph at that time is somewhat complicated, nothing is further from reality. In addition, it is worth it, as you can get snapshots of an impressive spectacle.
To begin with, the definition. The Blue Hour is just the hour prior to sunrise and before its setting (these time intervals are approximate). This light has certain peculiarities. For example, during these periods of time, natural light is very diffuse, which results in a high quality of illumination of the scene. On the other hand, the position of the sun relative to the horizon makes a curious physical phenomenon, so that the spectacular sunrises or sunsets full of warm colors occur occur. If you want to learn more about this issue you can read this post on the scattering of light.
In addition to photographing landscapes with this light so suggestive, photographed during these periods it is highly appropriate for urban landscapes for a simple reason. And then the cities are illuminated by artificial light lamps, buildings, billboards, etc, so that natural light is mixed with the artificial and can capture skies and urban buildings illuminated simultaneously, such as the photograph you can see below.
What you can do to take pictures during the blue hour? You'll have to practice and do various tests, but you can see some basic guidelines:
Using the tripod. Indispensable.
You must play with the exposure time. Depending on the natural light that it still can be seen more or less long.
You should do the same with the aperture, playing with the values of one depending on the other (longer exposure time means less opening and vice versa).
To make the lamplight look like a star (with blades) what you should do is CERAR the diaphragm.
By using long exposure times, use the remote switch or timer on your camera.
If you shoot in RAW you will save problems with white balance.
If you're worried it is when the sun goes down or when the sun rises, you can use one of these two services that calculate these two moments: Sun / Moon Calculator or Gaisma.
As final advice, we will tell you to think in advance what you want to do photo. If you know the location well from where'll shoot better. You think that although you'll have a good time to photograph, the blue hour is not infinite. And do not forget to contemplate the option that the composition of your photos appear moving parts such as cars or people ...
Nice @edrivegom
Shot you an Upvote :)