Blending the blue

Viola Coe Why is twilight shooting good for urban scenes?

ATwilight – which is defined as being the short period after the sun has gone down or before it’s come up – is perfect for cities, because you can blend natural blue light with warmer artificial light in buildings and street lamps. The effect you get, especially when you have detail in the sky, is quite evocative and moody. Once that balance between the natural and artificial light has gone, the scene loses its impact.

This is why it always pays to get up early or stay out until after the sun has gone down. As light levels are low, you’ll need long shutter speeds, so a tripod is an essential piece of kit to take with you.

The bluish light of twilight and the artificial lights of cities make a classic combination.