Light is the most important ingredient in photography; but far from performing a purely functional role, light can introduce powerful moods to shots, as well as making different subjects look visually interesting.
For landscape images, shooting around sunrise and sunset is best, as you’ll be able to take advantage of soft, colourful light from the low sun. Shooting macro subjects after sunrise or late afternoon works well too, because the low sun can create dramatic sidelight, which when combined with reflectors can create strong effects that look as controlled as off-camera flash, but without all the hassle. For these situations, and when shooting in bright light generally, a polarising filter can be an invaluable accessory – not only does it take the edge off harsh light, it can also increase…
