The prompt this week at 52 Photos Project is the "blue hour". This is the time of day just before sunrise and just after sunset when the sky is not completely dark but the sun is gone (or has yet to arrive) and the sky turns, well, kind of blue.
I've wanted to try to take a blue hour photo for some time, but the motivation just wasn't there--the morning time is way too early for me and at night I am usually settled in from a long day and don't really want to pack up my gear and go out for a photo shoot. But, thanks to Bella at 52 Photos I had all the motivation I needed this week. It had to be done, so I went to one of my favorite spots just down the street from my apartment.
I set up my tripod and played around with my camera settings a bit. All of these images were taken at f/8 or f/9, the shutter speed varied from 1 to 3 seconds and I set an ISO of 100 or 200. This photo below was actually one of the last ones I took and really has the darkest "blue" hue to it because the lighting was just right (about 9pm).
You can see the various different hues of blue as the following pictures were taken about 10-15 minutes earlier than the first one.
I like the car headlights from the Henry Hudson Parkway in the bottom left corner of the next two shots but it was still a little too light out to capture the best blue.
While I am not completely happy with these photos, I did manage to capture the blue-ness so I can't complain too much. I am very happy that I finally got myself out there with my camera to try this out--thanks Bella! If you want to know when the blue hour is where you live, check out this site where it tells you the time of the blue hour all over the world.
And yes, of course I had to take a shot with my iPhone, although the "blue" is primarily thanks to the lo-mob app because I couldn't keep the shutter open long enough to achieve the blue effect just within the phone's camera.
27 comments:
what a great writing....I also appreciate your night time efforts to take these shots! Great captured moments!
I think you totally caught it. I remember capturing the blue hour during a "day after" wedding session. The couple said their friend wouldn't be ready for us until after 5:15 (during December). When we got up to his condo which overlooked the city, it was spectacular...beautiful shades of pink and blue. You really did well here girl.
Wow, awesome colour! I have never heard of the blue hour before... It is now on my ever growing list of things to do
this is truly amazingly beautiful. and just from nearby your apartment? so very cool.
thanks for the link on when the blue hour is where we live!
Awesome stuff! I think your bravery - your willingness to get out there at a potentially awkward time and set up the tripod - was rewarded. Beautiful shots.
Yay for beautiful shots & for ticking this off your list! You captured a dreamy blue here - good stuff!
stunning shot! wow!
These are so beautiful! Perfect blues, I think!
Like the info you shared in capturing! Funny how different cameras will capture the hues differently ... for the above .... I lean toward the iPhone for its graininess and color.
I'm so happy to packed up your gear to take these photos - they're all so gorgeous!!
Wow - these are gorgeous! So worth leaving the house to take.
Wow! What blue...very pretty. Although I have to say I am taken to the iPhone image;) I love your cropping on the long horizontal image...works great as a pano!
Oh wow, I love the changes, amazing contrasts!
I really love the first blue photo! It's gorgeous.
Gorgeous blues! I actually like the iphone shot the best:)
These are absolutely gorgeous!
Beautifully done.
All wonderful shots, U.M...
what a spectacular structure...
these are seriously beautiful, love the first and last one especially!
Wow, I am in awe. I didn't know that blue can have so many beautiful shades. You seem to have an amazing view close to your apartment. Lucky you. Your i-phone picture is great. The sky looks painted.
This is so amazing . . . your pictures are stunning. I am definitely learning from seeing your perspective! I just loved seeing these photos!
Packing all your gear and heading out was definitely worth the trouble! the first two views are my favs. Spectacular! I'm still trying to get night photography just right. Thanks for listing your settings. I probably would have set a higher ISO - will have to experiment more. I know it is a triangle, Ap, Shutter, and ISO.
absolutely fantastic shots, I love them!
lucky us Bella got you out of the house and shooting these amazing photos! thanks for all the details as well ... I know I fumble around trying to get the exposure right while the lighting is changing rapidly! It helps to have some idea where to start.
xo Lis
These are really great shots!
Very pretty!
The blue sky is beautiful ... I think you've captured some wonderful moments here.
These are amazing. I agree you captured the blue-ness.
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