[Michael Piziak]

Just playing around. Here I compare 4 photos taken with the K-S2 and the SMC Pentax-DA 1:4-5.8 55-300mm ED lens set to Auto mode on dial of camera.

No post processing was done. I am basically comparing 4 magic hour photos (~hour or less before sunset) and 4 photos taken at 3pm in bright/harsh sunlight.

When focus was off, I attempted to replicate that when taking the non magic hour photo(s)...


Your comments & thoughts are welcome please.

magic 1 below



non magic 1 below




magic 2 below



non magic 2 below




magic 3 below



non magic 3 below



magic 4 below



non magic 4 below




My thoughts are that photos taken during the magic hours (for beginners that's the hour before sunset or hour after sunrise), that taking a photo during the magic hours is similar to my post processing where I do an auto-levels adjustment (in Gimp or photoshop); however, going back and doing an auto-levels on the non-magic photos still doesn't make the photos pop as nicely as the magic hour photos, smiles...


Your thoughts & comments please.....

Michael


Addendum: I decided to take a photo at just minutes after 4pm, Eastern U.S. time, as the sunlight is more compatible with the magic hour photo. Of course, taking the photo at that time gets closer to the sunset magic hour of 5:51pm (to last minute of sunlight at 6:20pm). I was still trying to compare a non magic hour photo to a magic hour one. Perhaps tomorrow I can get a photo farther away from 5:51pm....

Below, magic hour photo #1 again, for reminder



And my addendum photo, just after 4pm, which I call 1B (of non magic hour)

1B

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Last edited by Michael Piziak; 02-04-2023 at 02:26 PM.

[StiffLegged]

The last two images are the only useful comparison, since the lighting direction is so different in the previous pairs. The fencing or the birdhouse are going to look very different when lit from behind instead of from the side, so the golden light is obviously going to look better than bluish shade here.

Post processing can’t compensate for dud light.

[Michael Piziak]

The last two images are the only useful comparison, since the lighting direction is so different in the previous pairs. The fencing or the birdhouse are going to look very different when lit from behind instead of from the side, so the golden light is obviously going to look better than bluish shade here.

Post processing can’t compensate for dud light.

Yeh, that's why I took the last photograph, at around 4pm. I understand exactly what you're saying.
Next time there is direct sunlight, say around 3Pm to 4:30pm, perhaps I'll try to take some more photos. Just can't "duplicate" the light or it runs the risk of defeating the purpose of the comparison, that is if the lighting is very similar then one would be close to or at happy hour.... What time (eastern U.S.) would you, or others, suggest I take photos if the same is actually out and bright (?)...

Thanks for your comments!

[StiffLegged]

The points about “golden hour” are that the light is generally warmer in colour, is from a much lower angle and very briefly before sunset or after sunrise is less harsh than daytime direct sunlight. These factors can give very appealing images, but there are appealing images to be found regardless of the time of day. It’s about keeping your eyes open for them.

[Ian Stuart Forsyth]

he points about “golden hour” are that the light is generally warmer in colour,

+1
and also the direction of the light is important
For a lot of my wildlife I prefer the time just after sunset for just before sunrise, this can provide a light that has more of a saturated color to the image and also the addition of pre and post sun/set/rise captured in they eye.

It is also dependent on the subject light Tree swallows it is best to capture them in harsh light.
I also light shadow less light for a lot of my subjects