So last week I was in Nevada and I went to check out Death Valley. I scouted out Zabriske Point at Death Valley and planned the pano you see above. It’s a pretty obvious shot of the location. However as I was checking it out under the mid-day sun, I was asking myself when should I shoot it. I think the conventional answer to that is to shoot it when the sun is low in the sky so that you get strong shadows and depth. So that is what I did, however I remembered back to a shot that Peter Eastway made in Death Valley, and the one thing thing that stuck in my mind was that Peter said he made the capture way after the sun went down when it was almost dark.
So I thought I would give it a try as well as making my capture in direct light. For me, it was no contest, the light from the post-sunset capture was much more subtle, but still provided plenty of highlights and shadows. I realised that the sky above the setting sun was acting like a big soft-box and throwing a much softer (but still directional) light onto the scene.
Not sure it will work in all situations, but it was definitely an interesting experiment for me.
Cracker shots there Brent…looks like you had fun!
I will read the post when I get a mo.
Cheers
Mark
Nice work! In general, landscapes are better pre and post sunrise, it is just a question of how long before and after. And it is going to be different for every scene every day as the season and the weather have big effects on lighting.
Yep for sure my favourite times to shoot are pre sunrise and post sunset as well mate.
In the Kimberley mid year, you just about can’t shoot when the sun hits the reds as it blows them out very quickly!
[…] When Is The Best Time To Shoot Landscape? […]
Cool. Looks like a blend of multiple images? Or is this one exposure in your pano?
Hey Nick
The pano was about 5 images stitched together, but they were all of the same exposure. The contrast range wasn’t’ that great that I needed to bracket and blend.
BP
Thanks Brent. The depth of the colors and exposure is why I thought you did seeing the 2 samples you also posted. Great eye you have.
Great thoughts on landscapes – you could never predict light especially here in Florida so don’t expect to get great photos every night. Some times the light is amazing and sometimes it’s just not good enough. Don’t get frustrated – keep going out and you’ll get your gallery shot.
beautiful Brent, love the subtle colour and tones.
Stunning shot Brent. I Liiiiike it.
Brent,
This is just awesome shot. Just beautifully clear. Funny how a “Dead Land” can be turn into a stunning image in hands of a skilled photographer. Alright, that’s it. Next time you’ll be in CA, you need to give me a call so we can hang together and go for a photoshoot or something. Australia is too far for me, and it looks like you’re more often in CA so I have a chance to meet with you. OK, I’m off to Death Valley now. 😉
Hi I stumbled upon your blog when searching for ruins or overgrown buildings in Sydney for a photo shoot. I am a fashion designer and am doing a shoot for which I need overgrown/old buildings or even just concrete ruins/graffitied walls with nature “taking over”. I am wondering if you had any suggestions. I am living in Sydney and will be doing my shoot in a few weeks. I’ve got a few ideas but nothing is really grabbing me at the moment so any help would be much appreciated!
p.s. I love your smoke machine rockstar shoot. I am going to do a little bit of smoke for my shoot too however I’m using the smokers that beekeepers use. Should be fun!
Cheers,
Emma
Really nice Brent and great insight into the thought process of the capture … cheers …
Brent I see you found the question you were asking yourself. I enjoyed the view 40min after sunset, beautiful colors from the sand and shadows.
Synergetic effect! I’m planning a trip to Death valley and stay at the abandon township near there. Its an amazing place for night photography.
Beautiful images. I’ve experienced similar timing of the light at the Eureka Dunes within Death Valley National Park. I’ve many pictures of the early sun cutting dramatic shadows across the dunes, but enjoy the subtler shadows from before sunrise (or after sunset) the best… Especially when not shooting black and white.
I just couldn’t get enough of your photo. Very nice.
Hi Brent! I admire all your work and recently had purchased your ebook on night photography and light painting! Great info! I like the way you post-process the Death Valley National Park image. Would you mind sharing how your workflow on this on a video screencast. Love it!
Hi Brent. Thanks for an amazing presentation last night at Mosman Camera Club. You’re a legend. Thanks for sharing all your knowledge they way you do.
Brent,
Do you mind sharing info on how did you post processed your picture?
It looks just amazing. I can’t get mine to look nearly as good 😉
At least let me (us) know what tools/plugins you’ve used on it, if any.
Thanks
Greg
Hey Greg
Ask and you shall receive…..
Funnily enough I have posted a full tutorial on how I processed my Death Valley image. You can view it here.
https://brentbat.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/photoshop-tutorial-processing-death-valley/
Enjoy
Brent
I missed it…. I didn’t know you’ve posted already.
Thanks a lot.
Greg