PLAN AND SHOOT
Put together a concise workflow for efficiently finding and shooting subjects during the golden hours
3SCOUT YOUR LOCATION Make sure that you take time to visit the site during the day to give you some extra time to take test shots and plan your final frame. Work out where the sun will be during the golden hours, then identify possible subject matter and play with different perspectives.
1REFERENCE A MAP Take a look at a physical or Google map, and study the topography of an area to identify some possible shooting positions. Look for any elevated areas to make your subject or to shoot from, to assess visibility.
4CHECK THE WEATHER Look for clear conditions with an unobstructed view of the horizon, ideally with broken cloud to hold colour. Check air humidity, as lower values tend to produce more vibrant colours. Don’t be put off by rain – shoot immediately before or after for dramatic contrast.
2SEARCH NEARBY IMAGES Explore a photosharing site such as Flickr and use the various map features to find uploaded images taken near your desired location. You can use these as a reference to find potential subjects for your own shots.
5IN
TWEAK YOUR COMPOSITION Once you’re the field, shoot multiple frames to experiment with lighting, colour and detail. Ensure you have a strong subject before the sunrise or sunset occurs, to guarantee photographs with substance beyond the time of day itself.